The first step to moving on has finally come for NFL offensive lineman Jonathan Martin. He's headed to the West Coast for the 2014 NFL season.
Martin, a former Miami Dolphins lineman, has spent the better part of five months in sports headlines for saying his teammates bullied him. Now, he will join the San Francisco 49ers. (Via NBC)
Martin was traded to the 49ers for a conditional 7th round draft pick in 2015. Martin tweeted his confirmation of the trade Tuesday night, "Opportunities are few in the NFL... Can't wait to get to work #9erEmpire"
Waiting for Martin in the Bay area is his old college coach, Jim Harbaugh, who coached Martin while he was at Stanford. (Via Stanford Athletics)
Martin will also be joining a Super Bowl contender in San Francisco. The 49ers have been to the NFC Championship the last three years straight and played for a Super Bowl in 2013. (Via Turlock Journal)
But as one ESPN writer points out, Martin's spot is not guaranteed.
"He's gonna have to earn playing time, he's not gonna just come in there as a starter I'm sure. He struggled in Miami, particularly last season." (Via ESPN)
And though Martin's future in San Francisco is unclear at the moment, the sports world seems to agree anything would be better than going back to Miami.
A Sports Illustrated writer calls Martin being traded to San Francisco "his best chance to stick and stay in the NFL." And an ESPN writer adds this is Martin's opportunity for "football redemption."
Miami Dolphins General Manger, Dennis Hickey, was quoted by the Miami Dolphins twitter account, "We feel that this move is in the best interests of all parties involved. We wish Jonathan well."
Richie Incognito, the other major player in the Miami Dolphins blow-up, just became a free agent Tuesday. He also checked into a psychiatric hospital after smashing his own Ferrari with a baseball bat, according to TMZ. (Via KSAZ)
