WSU WR Tavares Martin Jr. broke one of Mike Leach's rules. His father says the receiver is sorry and wants to atone for his mistake.
Tavares Martin Jr.’s one-game suspension resulted from Washington State’s junior receiver losing his temper at his teammates after the Cougars’ loss at California on Friday and missing a practice.
“He was a little angry, saying things hadn’t gone his way the last couple of games. He broke a team rule and needs to be punished for that,” said the receiver’s father, Tavares Martin Sr. “He just made a mistake, and he had to pay a price for it. It was a miscommunication between him and the coaches. He was upset. He said he felt like he should have been more involved in that game.
“There were a lot of things that took place in the Cal game. T.J. also understands that you lose as a team and you win as a team.”
Martin Jr. did not practice Tuesday night but was seen speaking to the team after practice. He was suspended for one game for a violation of an unspecified team rule, coach Mike Leach told the Spokesman-Review.
Martin Sr. said his son apologized to Leach and the team for his “selfish attitude” and “immature behavior.”
Martin Jr. has started seven games and is tied for third nationally with seven receiving touchdowns. Martin Jr. also leads the team with 502 receiving yards. He entered the Cal game averaging almost six receptions.
But in WSU’s 37-3 loss to the Golden Bears, Martin Jr. was held to three receptions for 38 yards. Over the weekend, Martin Jr. lost his temper with coaches and teammates, and the incident resulted in his one-game suspension.
Martin Sr. declined to go into details. But he said his son was sorry for what he’d done and wants to atone for his outburst.
“My son has to do better making sure to control his anger,” Martin Sr. said. “He has to. He’s passionate. He’s a real passionate young man. He has to learn to control his emotions, and him and (quarterback) Luke (Falk) and the whole offense got together and talked about it. Him pulling the stunt he pulled, it didn’t achieve nothing. We learn from our mistakes.”
Martin Sr. said his son did not quit the team, but that he “broke one of Mike Leach’s rules.”
“At the end of the day, he’s a growing young man,” Martin Sr. said. “Like I told him last night, ‘The young guys look up to you.’ He said, ‘I know I screwed up, Dad.’ ”
Martin Sr. said his son is suspended for one week and will likely be back for the Cougars’ game at Arizona on Oct. 28. Martin Jr. has also been demoted to the scout team for this week.
“He spoke to the team this week and apologized to the team,” Martin Sr. said. “He’s OK. At the time, he didn’t think it through. I got on him about that. He knows what he’s got to do. He’s got to be more mature. You’re gonna see a different Tavares. If that’s what it takes to make him a better person, I’m all for it.”
Martin Jr., who is from Belle Glade, Fla., has played in 31 games for WSU and is in his second year as a starting receiver. He is backed up at X receiver by senior C.J. Dimry and freshman Davontavean “Tay” Martin. Dimry has caught eight balls for 111 yards this year, and Tay Martin has caught six passes for 40 yards. Neither backup has scored a touchdown.