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New York Jets: NFL disrespects Gang Green legend Curtis Martin

ByPaul A. Esden Jr.|
Curtis Martin #28, Running Back for the New York Jets tries to run the ball as Defensive Back Calvin Jackson #38 of the Miami Dolphins makes a block during the American Football Conference East game on 4 October 1998 at the Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. The Jets won the game 20 - 9. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Curtis Martin #28, Running Back for the New York Jets tries to run the ball as Defensive Back Calvin Jackson #38 of the Miami Dolphins makes a block during the American Football Conference East game on 4 October 1998 at the Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. The Jets won the game 20 - 9. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The NFL completely disrespected New York Jets legend Curtis Martin. Here are all the details and why this can’t be tolerated by Gang Green fans.

The New York Jets 2019 season hasn’t gone according to plan which is super disappointing, but not nearly as disappointing as what the NFL did to Curtis Martin.

On Friday night, the NFL announced the first position group of the ‘All-100’ team. As part of its celebration of the NFL’s centennial season, the 26-member panel will be announcing a 100 man roster of legends that will slowly and methodically be revealed over the next several weeks.

Running backs were the first group that was revealed and it featured Pro Football Hall of Famers and some of the biggest names of the sport:

  • Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns (unanimous selection)
  • Walter Payton, Chicago Bears (unanimous selection)
  • Emmitt Smith, Dallas Cowboys
  • Marion Motley, Cleveland Browns
  • Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions
  • Steve Van Buren, Philadelphia Eagles
  • Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears
  • Earl Campbell, Houston Oilers
  • Lenny Moore, Baltimore Colts
  • OJ Simpson, Buffalo Bills
  • Eric Dickerson, LA Rams
  • Dutch Clark, Detroit Lions

While all of these guys have impressive resumes, they don’t all surpass New York Jets legend Curtis Martin.

When he announced his retirement, he was the fourth leading rusher all-time in NFL history. A few years later he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

  • Five-time Pro Bowler
  • Two-time first-team All-Pro
  • Led the NFL in rushing in 2004 (the oldest player ever to lead the league in rushing)
  • His No. 28 jersey is retired and hanging in the rafters for the New York Jets.

Throughout his playing career, Curtis Martin has been underrated, forgotten about, and disrespected. Even with his career in the books, nothing has changed.

Curtis was a classy player, who achieved his success the right way. His journey through Pittsburgh where he was constantly faced with an environment involving drugs, violence, and alcohol could’ve been his downfall, but he overcame those odds to achieve football immortality.

Even though the NFL panel didn’t label Curtis Martin one of the 12 greatest running backs of all-time, we recognize, honor, and remember what he brought to the Jets on and off the field.

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