Martellus Bennett Lashes Out at Fans for 'Dehumanizing' Athletes

Martellus Bennett called out fans for "dehumanizing" professional athletes.

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martellus bennett

Friday, the Seattle Seahawks released Richard Sherman. One day later, Sherman signed a three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers—who were the Seahawks' biggest NFC rivals not too long ago. This led to some fans burning Sherman's jersey. Naturally, the outspoken cornerback felt the need to respond.

"I'm not the one who let me go," Sherman told Peter King. "They let me go. I didn't abandon anybody."

Tuesday, Martellus Bennett, who is currently a free agent and most recently played for the New England Patriots, went on a Twitter rant that was almost certainly related to Sherman-gate. Bennett called out sports fans for "dehumanizing" professional athletes "who lose a job."

It’s always funny and sad how fans ridicule players after they lose their jobs. Get cut, injury or traded. You would never do that to another person who loses a job. Dehumanizing athletes as if they aren’t real with families or struggles like others
Hahaha. You don’t have a job. Lol. I hope you never get a job or play again. Lmfao. It’s funny just writing that out.
Not saying an athlete wants your sympathy. As sympathy is easy. We can all sympathize the real emotion that the world seems to be missing these days is EMPATHY. There’s a huge difference.

Bennett then went back and forth with a number of fans, many of whom were quick to point out that NFL players are in a unique position because of how much money they make.

Great talk guys. I appreciate it. Not sure we got anywhere lol but the conversation was a good one.

Bennett, 31, caught 30 passes for 286 total yards last season. It's not yet clear if he will retire or play with a new team next season.

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