Curtis Martin

[Sperm Edwards]

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Martin makes mark on the field and off

By ANDREA ADELSON - AP Sports Writer

2005-09-08 11:31

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) - The feeling in his heart took over. The sudden urge to help all the people around him so great, Curtis Martin got up from his seat at his hometown church and walked to the front of the congregation.

Martin whispered a few words to the pastor, then got up in front of the 75 people gathered.

``Don't give today,'' Martin told the congregation. ``The church is going to give to you.''

Everyone sat there, jaws dropped to the floor, wondering the same thought: ``Is this real?''

After a few moments, pandemonium erupted. People screamed, people wept. Martin dug deep into his pockets for house payments. Car payments. Anything they needed.

In one of the pews, Michael Ginyard, shook his head. That was his best friend up there, doing what he loves to do best.

``It was a remarkable day,'' Ginyard said by telephone as he recalled that day in 2000. ``It was a deep, deep moment.''

Was he surprised? Not at all.

``The joy on the people's faces was unbelievable,'' Ginyard said. ``Because it's unheard of. That's the trailblazer that's inside of Curt's heart. He sets those paths no man has gone before.''

On the football field, too. The 32-year-old Martin seems ageless at an age when most running backs are washed up shells of their former selves. Coming off his first NFL rushing title, the Jets back has a chance to become the first player in NFL history to start his career with 11 straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons, beginning Sunday at Kansas City.

He has done it with little fanfare, much the way he gives to others. Though he is No. 4 on the NFL career rushing list, Martin prefers to be away from the spotlight, hoping to make a difference without the cameras and the microphones and the marketing campaigns.

``I think it's wise to always be under the radar,'' Martin said. ``I never wanted the hype of Curtis Martin to be more than what Curtis Martin really was. I've always wanted my performance, my character, to speak for exactly who I am, and what I am. I don't want to fabricate it one bit. I don't like that.''

What he wants is to give. Martin never really enjoyed playing football. When he met Ginyard, he was 14, a typical teenage boy getting himself into trouble. He started playing football as a senior in high school, partly to get away from the mean streets of his neighborhood.

That led to a good career at the University of Pittsburgh, then the New England Patriots, when Bill Parcells drafted him in the third round. It was then Martin started envisioning bigger things for himself than football.

He wanted to start a support group for high-profile people who do not have the opportunity to make friends, or go out to church, or talk about their emotions, because of their celebrity. With every paycheck, he put away a portion of his salary to save for the day when he could create one.

After three years with the Patriots, he signed with the New York Jets, and kept saving his money. He also started the Job Foundation, an organization he completely funds to help those who are less fortunate. Martin estimates he has helped thousands of people around the world in many ways, from single mothers to those addicted to drugs who crave help.

``It's fulfillment,'' Martin said. ``I think everybody has a gift that they're supposed to help the world with. Mine is helping people in those types of ways. Outside of my ability to reach other people, in my mind there's no need for football, there's no need for fame, there's no need for fortune.''

Finally, three years ago, his support group became a reality. The group meets every other week, one in New York and one in Los Angeles. Martin says about 40 people attend the meeting in New York, which is led by the Rev. A.R. Bernard, the founding pastor of the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn.

It took Martin eight years to find the right leader for the group, someone who could provide advice and spiritual leadership.

``I believe some people have dreams, and some people have visions,'' Martin said. ``Certain ones I do believe are inspired by God. That was one of them. When I had the vision, I told a pastor; this is when I wasn't famous at all. I just knew with every fiber in my body that this was what I was going to do one day.''

The group and his foundation receive little publicity, at Martin's request. There is no Web site for his foundation, or public relations machine. People ask for help through his mother or Ginyard in Pittsburgh. Martin reviews all the requests and makes decisions on his own.

As for the support group, only those with an invitation from Martin are allowed in the door.

``I don't publicize it because I feel the people I end up helping, it's just meant to be. I find them or they find me in some unique way,'' Martin said.

Martin also has his way of giving to his teammates. Last season, as a gesture of thanks to his offensive linemen, Martin gave each starter a Louis Vuitton shaving kit, duffel bag and carry-on suitcase.

It was the least he could do for all of those who helped Martin achieve his greatest success on the field. Guard Pete Kendall, who arrived last season, said Martin never turns down autograph requests and is generous with his time.

``People have such a negative stereotype of athletes, especially superstar athletes, and Curt certainly is the antithesis of the stereotypes,'' Kendall said. ``I've never heard a bad word about Curt.''

For now, Martin must concentrate on helping his teammates make a run at the Super Bowl. The Jets will rely on him more than ever, especially with Chad Pennington coming off surgery on his right shoulder.

Then, Martin can spent his offseason helping everyone else.

``Curt is that rare jewel,'' Ginyard said. ``If you have that opportunity to stumble across it, cherish it forever, protect it, take care of it. In the end, it's going to bring you great joy.''

[GM]

Martin is THE CLASSIEST player in the NFL. I think the only person who has ever bitched about him is Jim Rome. But Rome is a Douche bag.

[Instant Karma]

But Rome is a Douche bag.

Ouch. That's being pretty harsh towards douche bags...

[faba]

I do not think any one can question Curtis is a stand up guy and class individual. The type you want to see as a member of your team-

[joewilly]

great read, curious how did dirt bag get into the title of this thread

[Smizzy]

I do not think any one can question Curtis is a stand up guy and class individual. The type you want to see as a member of your team-

Or your family.