Martin, who visited the school today to talk with its athletes, just finished his first season with the Arizona Cardinals.
“He was really open to the coaches,” Wynne said before Martin's arrival. “He was the one who did what you asked him to do and a little bit more. He did the same thing in the classroom and made straight A's. He was always yes, sir, and no, sir. He never loafed. He made everybody better.”
Not only was Martin successful in football at the school, he was a standout in basketball, helping the school win its first championship when he played.
Wynne said it was hard work that paid off for Martin. “He always did more than he had to.”
Martin signs an autograph as his mother looks on.
As the athletes assembled in the school gym, Chaloner Principal Jeff White, said, “He got his degree in four years. No matter what happens he does have that. He has an awesome attitude.”
White gave Martin a framed Chaloner jersey with the number 90 on it. “We're recognizing how he is an example of what we all can be.”
In his remarks to the students, Martin said, “My mom was a big help. She always pushed me to be better. You young folks, you don't have to let your environment hold you back. My drive was to get to the NFL. I did what it took to get where I am today. It's going to take a lot of hard work.”
Martin told the students there will always be bumps in the road. “You can't let your surroundings hold you down. Achieve you dreams.”
Following the speech, Martin spoke with reporters.
His first year in the NFL, he said, “Had a lot of ups and down. Before I had always had school involved. I was trying to find that balance because in the NFL there was nothing holding you back.”
When he got his first sack, he said, “A weight was lifted off my shoulders.”
He has looked to Arizona's defensive line for support in his first year. “I lean on those guys for advice.”
Martin was honored to come back to Chaloner. “It felt good to come back and see the reaction of the kids and seeing some of the teachers. It took me back.”
He said he is aware of the violence that has plagued the area over the last year. “There's a lot of things that keep you down. You can get caught up in those things. The biggest thing is there is more to life. Making that first mistake, doing these things can change their lives. There's more to life than shooting people. We need more programs that help the kids see more than the things that are keeping them down.”
His sister, Jaleesa, who just finished her masters in psychology, was an inspiration, he said. “She helped me see more of the world.”
On football, he said he believes the Cardinals, which lost to the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the NFL playoffs, “We still have a bright future. We've got a mix of veterans and young players. Our mindset is changed that we are going to win the division. Anything less than the divisional playoffs is a failure.”
For his mother, Sandra, the last year, she said, “It's been a like a dream. I'm just proud he wanted to push himself.”
