Curtis Martin

Curtis James Martin Jr. (born May 1, 1973) is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons, primarily with the New York Jets.

He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Curtis Jr. was born in Pittsburgh to Rochella Dixon and Curtis Sr. on May 1, 1973.

Curtis Sr. left the family in 1978 after turning to drugs and alcohol, leaving Curtis's mother to support the family by working three jobs.

During his youth, Curtis often moved around the various neighborhoods of Pittsburgh and was consistently surrounded by violence.

His grandmother, Eleanor Johnson, was found murdered with a knife in her chest; at age 15, Martin had a near-death experience when the trigger of a loaded gun pointed at his head was pulled seven times, but never fired.

He and his mother settled in Point Breeze prior to his sophomore year of high school.

He began attending Taylor Allderdice High School which was known for its highly regarded academic reputation.

He played basketball as a sophomore, but did not participate in any sports during his junior year.

At the insistence of his mother, who wanted him to participate in an extracurricular activity as a way to keep him away from crime and violence, Curtis began to play football during his senior year, despite having never cared much for the sport.

Martin was considered a natural athlete, according to former head coach Mark Wittgartner and became an immediate star on the football team.

He played at the running back and linebacker positions.

He also played on special teams and occasionally at quarterback.

He ran for 1,705 yards and scored 20 touchdowns in his lone season of high school football.

Martin graduated from Allderdice in 1991 and was inducted into their alumni hall of fame in 2011.

Martin's performance at Allderdice attracted the attention of the University of Pittsburgh's football coach Paul Hackett.

Though other offers were available, Martin decided to remain close to home and attend Pittsburgh.

Martin, whom Hackett likened to Tony Dorsett, was expected to be a valued contributor to the Panthers when he arrived in 1991.

However, injuries plagued much of his college career.

As a junior, he rushed for 1,045 yards and caught 33 passes for 249 yards in ten games but he missed the final two with a sprained shoulder.

In 1994, Martin opened his senior year running for a career-high 251 yards against Texas; however, the following week against Ohio he suffered a sprained ankle that sidelined him for the rest of the season.

Martin had the option to redshirt and play one more season at Pittsburgh or enter the NFL draft.

He chose to enter the draft stating "in the end it was the best thing to do".

Draft analysts predicted that had Martin stayed another season at Pittsburgh and remained injury-free he could have been a potential first-round selection.

Martin was highly touted for his speed—he ran a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash—and his slashing running style.

The Patriots lost three running backs to free agency upon the conclusion of the 1994 season and sought to fortify their backfield.

One running back, Kevin Turner, was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as a restricted free agent and Philadelphia sent a third round selection to New England.

Martin spent his first NFL three seasons with the New England Patriots, who selected him in the third round of the 1995 NFL draft, and was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The Patriots used the selection to draft Martin in the 1995 NFL draft despite concerns about his durability.

Martin signed a contract with the team on July 19, 1995, and made his NFL debut in the Patriots' week one win over the Cleveland Browns.

Martin ran for 30 yards on his first carry and finished with 102 yards for the day.

He became the first Patriots rookie to rush for 100 yards during their debut.

Martin continued his impressive streak and rushed for over 100 yards eight more times during the season.

He finished the season as the AFC's leading rusher with 1,487 yards and 14 touchdowns.

He won the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and was named to the Pro Bowl.

The following year, Martin only rushed for 100 yards twice during the season but recorded 1,152 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns.

Martin joined the Jets in 1998, where he spent nine seasons before retiring after the 2006 season.

A five-time Pro Bowl selection and a first-team All-Pro, Martin is sixth in total NFL rushing yards.

He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

Martin is often regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time.