Curtis Martin - #28 - RB - Pittsburgh - Profile

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Officially retired July 26, 2007
• Retired as the National Football League’s fourth all-time leading rusher with 14,101 yards and currently stands as the NFL’s leading active rusher.
• Retired as the National Football League’s fourth all-time leading rusher with 14,101 yards and currently stands as the NFL’s leading active rusher.
• Retired with third-most rushing attempts in NFL history with 3,518 carries behind Emmitt Smith (4,409) and Walter Payton (3,838).
• Racked up 17,430 total yards from scrimmage during the regular season (seventh all time) on 4,002 touches.
• Scored 100 TD which is tied for 20^th all time with Franco Harris.
• Had eight season of over 300 carries, which is tied for second all time with Eddie George and trailing only Walter Payton with 10.
• Won one rushing title, in 2004, with 1,697 yards on 371 attempts, both club records, with 14 TD, including 12 rushing TD, also a club record.
• Compiled 57 regular season 100-yard rushing games (seventh all time) including 43 with the Jets.
• Martin and Barry Sanders are the only two players to begin their NFL careers with 10 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
• Started 119 consecutive games at RB before he was listed as inactive vs. OAK (12/11/05). The streak spanned seven NFL seasons.
• Is The New York Jets’ all-time leading rusher with 10,302 yards on a record 2,560 carrier for a 4.0 average.
• Five-time Pro Bowler: 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001 and 2004.
• Named the Jets’ Team MVP a record 4 times (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004). The only other player to win the award in three straight seasons was Al Toon (1986-88)
• Named the 2006 Bart Starr Award winner given annually to the player who best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community.
• Named the Dennis Byrd Award winner for the most inspirational player as voted by teammates for three consecutive years (2001-03).
• Ed Block Award winner (Most Courageous Player) in 2001.
• Kyle Clifton Award winner (The Good Guy Award) as voted by the Jets’ organization in 2001.
• Owns seven of the Jets’ top 10 single-season rushing marks, including the top three spots.
• Ranks sixth all-time in the Jets’ record books for career receptions (367) and seventh on the club’s all-time scoring list with 380 points (63 TD and one two-point conversion).
• Ranks sixth all-time in the Jets’ record books for career receptions (367) and seventh all-time on the Club’s all-time scoring list with 380 points (63 touchdowns and one two-point conversion).

2006 SEASON (JETS)

• Placed on the PUP list July 27 and moved to the Reserve/PUP list on November 1.

2005 SEASON (JETS)

• Was placed on IR on 12/16/05.
• Listed as inactive due to a knee injury for the week 14 win vs. OAK, breaking Martin’s streak of 119 consecutive games started, which began on 10/19/98 at NE.
• In the week 13 loss at NE he accumulated 29 rushing yards on 15 attempts and 26 yards off four receptions.
• In the week 12 loss vs. NO he put up 91 rushing yards becoming the fourth player in NFL history to rush for more than 14, 000 yards joining Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton and Barry Sanders. Also had eight receiving yards on three receptions.
• In the Week 9 loss vs. SD he had 21 carries for 72 yards and a TD, his 90^th rushing TD of his career and 100^th career TD.
• In the Week 6 loss at BUF he rushed for 148 yards and a TD on 18 attempts becoming the seventh player to gain more than 17,000 total career yards. Also posted two season high rushes of 49 and 41 yards.

2004 SEASON (JETS)

• Earned All-Pro 1st Team honors from AP, College & Pro Football Writers and the Football Digest. Also earned All Conference and All NFL honors from Pro Football Writers Association, as well as All-Pro honors from the Sporting News.
• Carried the ball 28 times for 153 yards, including a 20-yard scamper in OT that moved the Jets into Ram territory. Also caught two passes for 22 yards in the Jets’ regular-season finale, a 32-29 OT loss at STL. Martin’s 11-yard rush on third-and-12 during the Jets’ second drive moved him ahead of HOF WR Don Maynard into first place on the Jets’ yards from scrimmage list with 11,817. His four-yard carry in the third quarter pushed him over the 100-yard mark for the ninth time that season and 42nd time as a Jet. Also moved past RBs Eric Dickerson and Jerome Bettis to take sole possession of fourth place on the NFL’s all-time rushing yard list with 13,366 yards.
• Recorded 134 rushing yards and two TD on 24 carries in the Jets’ 37-14 win over SEA. His two rushing TD gave him 12 on the season and set a club mark, surpassing the previous high of 11 by RB Emerson Boozer set in 1972.
• Rushed the ball 23 times for 134 yards and one TD and caught four passes for 20 yards and one TD in the game 12 win vs. HOU.
• Started his 100^th consecutive game and rushed for his sixth 100-yard game of the season on 28 carries for 119 and two TD in the Week 10 OT loss vs. BAL.
• Rushed the ball for 111 yards on 25 carries and scored two TDs in the Week 6 win vs. SF. Passed Marcus Allen for eighth-most rushing yards in NFL history on his one-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. With his two scores, Martin surpassed Freeman McNeil on the Jets’ all-time scoring list as he moved into seventh place with 308 points.
• Became just the 11^th player in NFL history to amass 15,000 career yards from scrimmage as he gained 110 yards on 24 carries and scored the Jets’ first TD of the day and caught four passes for 31 yards in the Week 3 win at MIA. Martin also moved into 10^th place on the all-time rushing yards list passing RB Thurman Thomas.
• Moved into first place on the Jets’ all-time rushing list with his first carry of the Week 2 win at SD, finishing the day with 119 yards (on 32 carries). Ran for 11 yards in the opening drive to top Freeman McNeil’s 8,074 rushing yards in a Jets’ uniform. Also scored two rushing TD.
• In the opener vs. CIN, accumulated his third-highest rushing total in his career with 196 yards on 29 carries and one TD. His two-TD performance was his first multiple-TD game since 11/15/01 vs. KC and earned Martin AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.

2003 SEASON (JETS)

• Started all 16 games for the fifth straight year, earning his ninth consecutive 1,000-yard season.
• Established a career high with 228 all-purpose yards, gaining a season best 174 yards on 30 carries and 54 yards on four receptions in the Week 15, 6-0 win over PIT. He broke free for a 56-yard run in the fourth quarter, his longest carry since 10/29/98 (60-yard TD run vs. CAR). His 228 total yards from scrimmage tied a Jets record set by Hall of Fame receiver Don Maynard on 11/17/68 at OAK.
• Gained 84 yards on 25 carries at BUF Week 14 to pass O.J. Simpson (11,236) for 12^th place on the NFL’s all-time rushing yardage list.
• Carried the ball 19 times for 61 yards in the 27-24 OT win at OAK in Week 10. He became the Jets’ all-time leader in rushing attempts, passing RB Freeman McNeil, and crossed the 11,000-yard rushing mark for his career.

2002 SEASON (JETS)

• Reached the 1,000-yard mark for the season running for 106 yards on 26 carries in the 30-17 Week 16 win at NE.
• Became the 16^th player in NFL history to gain, 10,000 yards rushing for his career, crossing the mark in the first quarter of the 19-13 win over DEN in Week 14.
• Was named co-offensive player of the game for his efforts against the Lions, gaining 112 yards on 22 carries in the Week 11 win at DET.

2001 SEASON (JETS)

• Finished second in the NFL in rushing to KC RB Priest Holmes with 1,513 yards.
• In Week 16 vs. BUF, rushed for his seventh 100-yard game of the season via his 20-carry, 123-yard performance, which included his longest run of the season (47 yards). In Week 13 at PIT, was responsible for the Jets’ lone TD of the day in throwing a scoring pass to WR Wayne Chrebet.
• Had his fifth 100-yard game of the season in the Week 10 win over KC when he carried the ball 20 times for 113 yards and three TD, which matched a career high (accomplished one other time in the regular season vs. MIA, 10/15/00, and one time in the postseason with NE in their 1996 in playoff game vs. PIT).
• In Week 7 win at CAR, carried the ball 27 times for 159 yards with two runs over 30 yards (30 and 36). Added seven receptions (tying him for team high with WR Laveranues Coles) for 39 yards with a long of 17 yards.
• Pounded out his third 100j-yard game of the season when he rushed 22 times for 120 yards and a TD in Week 5 vs. MIA.
• Rushed for his 33^rd career 100-yard game in Week 4 at BUF when he had 26 carries for 135 yards and two TD.

2000 SEASON (JETS)

• Named as the first alternate RB for the AFC Pro Bowl squad with 1,204 rushing yards, nine TD, adding a career high 70 receptions for 508 yards and two TD. His nine rushing TD were the most by a Jet RB since Brad Baxter’s 11 in 1991.
• Week 14 vs. IND, established a team-and career-high with 203 yards rushing on 30 carries.
• Rushed the football 34 times for 143 yards and scored three TD in the 34-17 win over NE in Week 6. The three TD tied a personal best and tied a Jets team record. Also had 10 rushing first downs and 11 first downs total which were the most by any Jet since Martin had 13 first downs in the team’s January 1999 win over JAX.

1999 SEASON (JETS)

• Started all 16 games and set a then-team record for most rushing yards in a season (1,464) and a total of 1,723 yards from scrimmage (second in team history). Ranked second in the AFC and third in the NFL in rushing yards and was voted as first alternate to the Pro Bowl. Marked only the second time a player finished second in the NFL in rushing but did not make the Pro Bowl.
• In the season finale vs. SEA, he racked up 34 carries for 158 yards with a long run of 50 yards (his longest run of the season) and scored the team’s lone TD on a one yard dive.
• In Week 15 at DAL, had 26 carries for 113 yards in the team’s 22-21 win at Texas Stadium. On the final scoring drive, ran eight times for 40 yards, including a crucial 10-yard gain to help position John Hall’s 37-yard game-winning FG.
• In Week 9 vs. ARI, had his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game when he toted the ball 38 times for 131 yards.

1998 SEASON (JETS)

• Played and started 15 regular-season games and was 369-1,287-3.5 avg. with eight TD rushing and 43-365-8.5 avg. with one TD receiving in his first season in a Jets’ uniform.
• Appeared as a late replacement for the AFC squad at the Pro Bowl.
• Was 21-110 with two TD and had two receptions for 33 yards in Week 13 vs. CAR
• Posted his fourth consecutive 100-yard rushing game when he was 25-101-1 in Week 7 vs. ATL
• Rushed 28 times for 107 yards Week 6 at NE, tallying his third 100-yard rushing game of the season
• Made his Jet debut in Week 1 at SF.

1997 SEASON (NE)

• Started 13 games before missing the final three due to a shoulder injury in his final year with NE.
• Did not play in either playoff game due to shoulder and groin injuries.
• Finished the season with 274 carries for 1,160 yards (4.2 avg.) and four rushing TD. Had 41 receptions for 296 yards (7.2 avg.) and a TD.
• Led his team in carries (21) and receptions (six) while surpassing 100 career receptions at MIN in Week 10.
• Recorded his longest regular season TD run vs. CHI in game 4 going 70 yards for a score.
• Had a stellar game against the Jets in Week 3 going for 199 yards on 40 carries, setting a NE record for carries and was named NFL Player of the Week.

1996 SEASON (NE)

• Started 15 of 16 regular-season games and all three postseason contests.
• Rushed for 1,152 yards and 14 TD (led AFC) on 316 carries and earned a return trip to the Pro Bowl.
• Also had 46 receptions for 333 yards and three TD.
• His 104 points scored (17 TD, one two-point conversion) placed him second on the team in scoring behind K Adam Vinatieri's 120 points.
• Scored his fifth TD of the postseason (another team record) vs. GB in Super Bowl XXXI and finished the game with 42 yards on 11 carries and an 18-yard TD run.
• Set three franchise playoff records (rushing yards, rushing TD, longest TD rush) in the Divisional Playoff game vs. PIT when he was 19-166-3 TD, including a 78-yard TD.
• Became the 15th player in NFL history to rush for over 1,000-yards in each of his first two seasons and the first back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons since Jim Nance accomplished that feat for NE in 1966-67. Scored 30 TD in his first 27 contests, the fourth=quickest start in NFL history after Gayle Sayers (23 games), Steve Van Buren (23) and Jim Brown (26)
• Had a season-high 164 yards on 17 carries vs. WAS in Week 6.
• Tied a franchise record by scoring three TD (one rushing and two receiving) in 31-0 win over ARI in week three when he was 27-90 rushing and 5-33 receiving. Chipped in with a two-point conversion (the first of his career).

1995 SEASON (NE)

• Of the nine RB selected before him in the 1995 draft (Ki-Jana Carter – CIN, Tyrone Wheatley – NYG, Napoleon Kaufman – OAK, James Steward – JAX, Raashan Salaam – CHI, Ray Zeller – NO, Sherman Williams – DAL, Terrell Fletcher – SD, William Henderson – GB), only CHI RB Rashaan Salaam also eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark rushing as a rookie.
• Rushed 368 times for 1,487 yards and 14 rushing TD and set franchise records in each category. Produced the best rookie rushing performance in the NFL since LA Rams RB Eric Dickerson in1983.
• Only LA Rams RB Dickerson (1,808), NO RB George Rogers (1,674 in 1981) and STL Cardinals RB Ottis Anderson (1,605 yards in 1979) rushed for more yards in their rookie campaigns than Martin. Only Dickerson (18) and CIN RB Ickey Woods (15) rushed for more TD.
• Earned Rookie of the Year honors and was the only rookie chosen to represent the AFC in the Pro Bowl.
• Set franchise rookie rushing records in every major category and tied an NFL rookie record by eclipsing the 100-yard mark in nine games.
• Led the AFC in rushing and trailed only DAL RB Emmitt Smith (1,773) and DET RB Barry Sanders (1,500) in the NFL.
• Only Smith (25) and SEA RB Chris Warren (15) rushed for more TD and only Smith (377) rushed more times than Martin.
• Became the first rookie to lead the AFC in rushing since SEA RB Curt Warner in 1983.
• Closed out the season at IND in game 16 with his fifth consecutive 100-yard day when he had 24 carries for 103 yards, the most yards allowed rushing by IND all season.
• Returned to his hometown of Pittsburgh in game 15 and rushed 20 times for 120 yards, the most yards allowed by PIT all season and just the third time they allowed a 100-yard rusher all season.
• Totaled 187 net yards of offense, including a 142 yard, two TD rushing performance on 30 carries in the game 10 win at MIA. Rushed for a season high 166 yards and two TD on 35 carries vs. NYJ Week 9
• Became the first Patriot to rush for 100 yards in his professional debut in game one against CLE and also became the first Patriots RB to eclipse the 100-yard mark since Leonard Russell accomplished the feat on 12/26/93. Took his first career carry 30-yards before being pushed out of bounds. Scored the game-winning TD in that contest on a second effort dive with just 19 seconds remaining. Finished with 19 carries and 103 yards.

OFF-THE-FIELD

• Met with and spoke to Maurice Ashley’s 2002 New York State Champion Dark Knights chess team of Mott Hall Middle School in Harlem.
• Talked to the Roosevelt High School football team after they suffered a loss of one of their own, when a former student died of gunshots wounds.
• Purchased 45 tickets for the members of Roosevelt’s football team to attend the Jets’ 42-17 division-clinching victory over GB.
• Appeared at Esquire Magazine’s NY Sports Charity Night to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
• Twice named the Dennis Byrd Award winner (2001,2002), given to the most inspirational player on the Jets, as voted by his teammates
• Martin graduated from Taylor-Allderdice High School in Pittsburgh, the same school that produced NewsWeek political writer and editor Howard Fineman, New York Times columnist Murray Chass and legendary Pittsburgh sportscaster Myron Cope
• Owns an extensive art collection, with some pieces dating to the 17^th Century.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS

• Signed to an offer sheet as a RFA by the Jets on 3/20/98, which NE declined to match on 3/25/98.
• Selected by NE in the third round (74th overall) of the 1995 NFL Draft.

BEFORE THE NFL

• Lettered three years at Pittsburgh.
• Suffered a season-ending ankle injury in his second game of the season vs. Ohio and was redshirted.
• Opened the season with a 251-yard effort on just 28 carries vs. Texas.
• Declared himself eligible for the 1995 Draft instead of returning for his redshirt senior season.
• As a junior earned honorable mention All-America honors from Football News.
• Also earned first-team All-Big East honors after starting 10 games and rushing for 1,075 yards and seven TD.
• Was the first Pittsburgh RB to break the 1,000-yard mark since Curvin Richards gained 1,282 in 1989.
• Led all Pittsburgh receivers with 33 receptions for 249 yards and a TD.
• In the season finale vs. Syracuse, erupted for 206 yards and a TD on 37 carries.
• Didn't play high school football until his senior year, when he rushed for 1,705 yards and 20 TD on 229 carries. Rushed for more than 200 yards four times.
• Earned All-State recognition and was voted the City League Player of the Year (1990) by The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and The Pittsburgh Press.
• Named MVP of the Pennsylvania-Maryland "Big 33" all-star game following his senior season of high school.
• Was named Taylor-Allderdice HS Athlete of the Year as a senior.