Bobby Martin (American football)

Bobby Martin (born November 3, 1987 - April 28, 2020)[1] was a former high school American football defensive lineman. He has no legs as he was born with Caudal regression syndrome, and used his arms to run. A graduate of Colonel White High School in Dayton, Ohio, he played American football for his high school varsity team. He was a redshirt freshman at Central State University.

Bobby Martin (Robert Martin Jr)
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born (1987-11-03) November 3, 1987
Dayton, Ohio
DiedApril 28, 2020
Resting placeWest Memory Gardens, Moraine, Ohio
Height3 ft (0.91 m)
Weight110 lb (50 kg)
Sport
SportAmerican football
DisabilityCaudal regression syndrome

Biography

Martin was 3 feet (0.91 m) tall and weighed 110 pounds (50 kg); he had no legs as he was born with Caudal regression syndrome.[2] During his senior season of 2005, in a game against Mount Healthy High School's team in Cincinnati, he was removed from play at half-time by officials claiming he was in breach of the rules requiring players to wear thigh pads, knee pads and shoes. His school was later told by the Ohio High School Athletic Association that this decision was incorrect and that Martin was allowed to play in all games. He finished the season with 48 tackles. At halftime of one game, he was named the Homecoming King.

Martin in the mid-2000s studied marketing at Central State, outside Dayton, and was not playing football at the time. In 2007, then Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel invited Martin to a practice. Martin ended up getting involved in some of the action when he saw Dennis Northcutt evade player after player. Martin approached Northcutt and claimed that he could tackle him. At the goading of teammate Braylon Edwards, Northcutt allowed Martin to challenge him. Martin hung with Northcutt for 20 yards before forcing him out at the one-yard line.[3]

After Martin's playing days he had several run ins with police for various crimes. On April 28, 2020, Martin died when he crashed an ATV he had stolen earlier that evening.[4]

ESPY

On July 12, 2006, Martin won the ESPY award for Best Male Athlete with a Disability.

References
  1. North American Football League - Truly Inspirational
  2. Aurora Advocate retrieved December 23, 2009 Archived July 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  3. Sports Illustrated, p. 25, January 8, 2007
  4. Spicker, Kristen (April 29, 2020). "Local sports legend born without legs dies in ATV accident". Journal News. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
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