49er Jonathan Martin Punches Alleged Shoplifter Into Submission At Versace Store In Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES (CBS SF) — San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Jonathan Martin was at a Los Angeles shopping center Thursday when he reportedly helped subdue an alleged shoplifter at a Versace store by punching him until he complied with a security guard.
On Thursday afternoon, Martin told Yahoo! Sports that he and a friend were out shopping at the Beverly Center at the moment two men were shoplifting several purses at the Versace Collection store.
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While one shoplifter got away, Martin said that he ran into the store and helped the security guard in corralling the second alleged shoplifter, who was much larger. Martin then punched the man "five to eight times" until he went down. He said he wanted to do just enough to get the man to stop fighting so that he could be subdued.
Martin, who gained attention at the center of the Miami Dolphins bullying controversy told Yahoo! Sports that he "didn't even think."
"I just reacted. It wasn't till later when [my friend] said, 'He could have had a gun.' I didn't even think about it. I just wanted to help," Martin said.
Becoming a crimefighter caps off a relatively successful first season for Martin in San Francisco. After sitting out more than half of 2013 after walking out on the Dolphins after being bullied by teammate Richie Incognito, Martin appeared in 15 games for the 49ers this season.
An investigation for the NFL determined last year that Incognito and two other offensive linemen engaged in persistent harassment of Martin, another offensive lineman and an assistant trainer.
Martin left the Dolphins in the Fall of 2013, underwent counseling for emotional issues and alleged he was harassed by teammates. Incognito was then suspended for the final eight games.
The troubled relationship between Martin and Incognito drew national scrutiny and stirred a debate about bullying.
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