Sad news: jets have just announced the retirement of two of their best players
NEW YORK Curtis Martin wants to go from the backfield to the front office in one fluid motion.
As the fourth-best rusher in league history, Martin, 34, announced on Thursday that he was leaving the New York Jets. He stated that his goal is to own an NFL team.
As part of a quick media tour, Martin gave a brief 45-minute press conference at the team’s Manhattan offices. “Ever since you have seen me as a player, I’ve been looking at myself as an owner,” he said.
“Most people see me as a low-profile player, and I’ve always seen myself as a high-profile owner,” he stated.
Though he hasn’t made a decision yet, Martin, who is thought of as one of the classiest yet toughest players in the game, had hoped to make an announcement about his life after carrying the football. He stated that a statement would be made soon, but he would not say which teams he had discussed it with or whether the Jets were among them.
He smiled and said, “It looks good, and I’m very excited about it.”
Throughout his career, Martin avoided the spotlight, which is uncommon among today’s elite professional athletes. He gained respect from other players in the league for his modest demeanor, which he believes will be beneficial to him when managing a team.
“I think I’ve had an opportunity to learn the game from the ground up,” declared Martin, who was wearing a dapper black suit with a black and purple tie. Because they aren’t privy to the intimacy of the locker rooms or the brotherhood of the players, very few owners are able to accomplish it. I think I can offer something fresh and something that could benefit the NFL as a whole.”
Martin, who is very involved in charitable work, announced that he and Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City have teamed up to launch an initiative aimed at reducing homelessness in the city by two-thirds by 2009.
Jets owner Woody Johnson said in a statement, “As a player, Curtis approached philanthropy the same way he approached the game: with humility and grace.”
For the majority of his 11 active seasons, Martin was one of the league’s bright spots on the field. With 14,101 yards rushing in the end, he was only surpassed by Barry Sanders (15,269), Walter Payton (16,726), and Emmitt Smith (18,355). His 90 rushing touchdowns tie him for 12th place with Eric Dickerson, and his 3,518 carries rank him third on the NFL career list. Throughout his career, Martin proved to be a flexible offensive weapon as well, catching 484 passes for 3,329 yards and 10 touchdowns.
“In the end, things worked out better than I had ever imagined,” stated Martin, whose paperwork for retirement was turned in to the league office on Thursday.
But the finish was difficult. Physically built and never afraid to take a big hit, running back Martin admitted in January that his 2005 season-ending bone-on-bone right knee injury had likely been his last. Nineteen months after his last game, he officially announced the much-awaited decision following months of recuperation and contemplation.
Martin declared, “I don’t see this as a sad time.” “Someone was just asking me if there’s any moment in particular that sticks out as the best moment of my career, and I told them, ‘Right now.'”
The five-time Pro Bowl selection will be honored by the Jets prior to the start of the regular season. The idea that the team ought to retire Martin’s No. 28 jersey is also gaining traction.
“That seems like a fantastic idea.” Martin grinned broadly. “If that were to happen, I would like that.”
In Week 2 of 2005, against Miami, Martin tore cartilage in his right knee. Two games later, against Baltimore, he aggravated the injury. He ended his season after the Jets’ 12th game, despite playing through the pain, which was typical of the toughness he displayed throughout his career. Martin’s season and, eventually, his career, ended last November when New York placed him on injured reserve.
Martin said, “I have no regrets.” “I think this game is ending exactly how I would like it to. I understand that I’m obstinate when it comes to football, and I know that something like this would be necessary. Fortunately, it’s not to the point where I’ll be dependent on a wheelchair or cane for the rest of my life.”
