Police: Former Dolphin Duper beat son unconscious

Duper, who starred for the Dolphins from 1982 to 1992, spent a night in jail after his arrest Wednesday on one count of felony child abuse. He was released Thursday afternoon after posting a $5,000 bail, police in Jacksonville said.

Authorities say Duper attacked his son, Marcus, three times and knocked him out twice.

Messages left on Duper's cellphone by The Associated Press were not returned Thursday. He told The Miami Herald that the fight was "a family matter."

"This is not an open book. I have to deal with this within my family," he was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

Duper caught 511 passes for 8,869 yards and 59 touchdowns in his 11-year career with the Dolphins. Duper, who legally changed his name to Mark Super Duper, was named to three Pro Bowls and was a two-time All-Pro selection. He is a member of the Dolphins Honor Roll.

Former Dolphins defensive end Hugh Green told The Associated Press by telephone that he witnessed the brawls. He said Marcus Duper started the fights, thinking he could "beat his father." Green and his 18-year-old son had stopped to visit Duper and his son after attending a charity golf outing in Miami earlier in the week.

"I saw Mark defending himself after a young son was defiant," Green said.

Green said Duper's wife, the mother of Marcus, died several years ago.