Special to RRSPIN.com by John Kisic
Roanoke Rapids is known far and wide as a close-knit community with tremendous pride and tradition for many reasons. One recent source of pride comes from current Arizona Cardinals rookie Defensive End and Roanoke Rapids native Kareem Martin.
Martin is a 2010 graduate of Roanoke Rapids High School and a 2014 graduate of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. In May of 2014, he was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Cardinals. As a rookie, he is in the regular rotation on the defensive line of the Cardinals and spent his Sunday afternoon chasing Peyton Manning around Invesco Field in Denver.
Staring across the line of scrimmage at the likes of Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson can be a daunting task for anyone. Martin says, “I have thought about it, but once the ball is kicked off, you don’t think about that, you do your job.”
While Martin has earned a reputation as a pass rusher and sack specialist, the strongest part of his game may be as a run stopper. Arizona wants him to gain 25 pounds, which would seem to indicate that the plan is to move him to the interior of their 4-3 defensive line setup in the near future. At six foot, six inches and 270 pounds presently, this would make Martin quite the daunting figure himself, and help solidify his position as a regular in the Arizona defense for years to come.
On a recent visit to Roanoke Rapids during the Cardinals bye week, Martin visited his old stomping grounds at the high school and attended the RRHS football game at Northwest Halifax that Friday night. He was received by current students and former teachers with much excitement and pride. He signed autographs for everyone and answered questions and took pictures with the grace and style of the professional he is at school and at the game. He even took some time to lift weights with some of the current football players in Roanoke Rapids weight room.
As great a football player as he is, Kareem’s reputation as a stellar student and overall great young man and role model are his real trademarks around these parts. Jan Tugwell, CTE Coordinator at RRHS and Kareem’s former teacher, stated, “He was the ideal student with a great work ethic, not only on the field or court, but also in the classroom. He always gave 100 plus percent. When you add that to fact that he is so humble and gracious about his success, then it makes me even more proud of him.
Would you like to see Kareem Martin play in an NFL game November 30th in Atlanta against the Falcons? Ms. Tugwell is organizing a charter bus trip over Thanksgiving weekend for anyone in the Roanoke Valley who would like that chance. The cost of the trip includes a bus ride, hotel room and lower level ticket to the game. The prices are 205 dollars per person for a quad room, 215 per person for a triple room, 225 per person for a double room and 290 for a single room. Ms. Tugwell can be contacted at
Kareem has promised to do his best to spend some time with the group on Saturday afternoon/evening, November 29, after the normal Saturday walk-through done by NFL teams. Don’t miss this great opportunity to be a part of Roanoke Rapids history and show your support for a budding NFL star right from your hometown.