The mistreatment of Martin fits, to some extent, the classic pattern for workplace bullying. Incognito, Jerry and Pouncey were in superior positions to Martin within the Dolphins organization; he was a rookie in 2012. They appear to have regarded Martin and the others they mistreated as different, weaker or unlikely to fight back, and deliberately subjected them to aggression over a significant period of time, including abusive language uttered in a manner calculated to lead to humiliation in front of others. In a number of ways, Martin fits the mold of a typical bullying victim: hesitant to challenge others, perhaps socially awkward (at least in his own eyes) and different from the others because of his upper-middle-class upbringing and intellectual interests. He responded to abuse by blaming and distrusting himself, falling into what appears to have been serious depression. He did not report the harassment because he feared that doing so would further ostracize him from the offensive line group.

According to our consulting psychologist, William H. Berman, Ph.D., an expert in matters relating to workplace dynamics, interaction and culture and interpersonal dysfunction within workplace relationships, this factual scenario is consistent with a case of an abusive workplace relationship. Nevertheless, based on the entire record that we reviewed, we are not prepared to reduce these events to a simple or paradigmatic case of bullying. It is more ambiguous and complicated, because, purportedly in an effort to deal with the bullying, Martin developed a curious but seemingly close friendship with Incognito, his alleged primary harasser. Yet, while there is no doubt that Martin at times enjoyed socializing with Incognito, his efforts to befriend Incognito also is consistent with the reaction of a person who is trapped in an abusive situation. As Dr. Berman explained, attempting to develop a close friendship with an abusive person is a common coping mechanism exhibited by victims of abusive relationships.