Former wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins Mark Duper (pictured) was recently taken in to custody and charged with one count of felony child abuse for allegedly beating up his 17-year-old son until he lost consciousness during a fight at his Jacksonville, Fla., home, reports The Florida Times-Union.
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Duper, who played for the Dolphins from 1982 to 1992 and who even made their Honor Roll, allegedly attacked his son, Marcus, three times and knocked him out twice. Duper has been quoted as saying that the issue in his household was a “family matter,” and added, “This is not an open book. I have to deal with this within my family.”
Marcus’ mother passed away a few years ago.
The battle was actually witnessed by Dolphins’ defensive end Hugh Green who said that Marcus had actually started the fight “thinking he could beat his father.” Green reportedly stopped by Duper’s home with his own 18-year-old son after attending a charity golfing event.
According to police records, Duper discovered that Marcus had sent his ex-girlfriend a menacing text message, which he reportedly denied, and soon after, the fight broke out. According to The Florida Times-Union, the Jacksonville police report details how Duper allegedly “punched his son in the face one time because he wouldn’t listen to him about picking up his hat.”
This action was followed by yet another series of violent moves by the incensed Dad who “took his son to the ground, grabbed him, then picked him up several times and slammed him to the ground, causing him to lose consciousness for a short period of time.”
When the 54-year-old Dad kicked the boy out of his home and the youth returned to get a jacket, another altercation ensued. When Green intervened to try to end the second round between Duper and Marcus, the boy again lost consciousness.
After Green reportedly escorted the boy outside, the teen allegedly “pushed his bike in to his father’s vehicle,” which Duper witnessed according to police, and a third fight took place. Duper allegedly went outside to again confront his son, allegedly grabbing the boy by the neck and trying to choke him. Green had to reportedly step in again to pull Duper away from his son, advising the young boy to go to a friend’s house.
Duper, who scored 59 touchdowns with the Dolphins, was named to three Pro Bowls and became a two-time All-Pro selection. Unfortunately, his glory came to an end when he was charged with buying cocaine with an intent to sell it back in 1995. He was acquitted.
Regarding the run-in with his son, Duper was released from jail on Thursday after posting a $5,000 bail. A court date is still pending.
