Oct. 3, 2007

Preview Coach Wannstedt's Thursday Remarks (10/4) - FREE

   PITTSBURGH--The University of Pittsburgh will pay tribute to one of the greatest running backs in NFL history when it welcomes back Curtis Martin for the Panthers' game with Navy on Wednesday, October 10.

   Pitt will honor Martin, a Pittsburgh native and star tailback for the Panthers from 1991-94, with a halftime ceremony. Martin recently retired from professional football after a Hall-of-Fame caliber career that spanned 11 active seasons.

   "Curtis Martin has been a tremendous source of pride for both Pitt and his hometown of Pittsburgh," Pitt interim athletic director Donna Sanft said. "Not only is Curtis one of the best running backs to ever play the game, but he has also been an outstanding role model and community leader. We are incredibly proud to call him one of our own and we're looking forward to his return to Pittsburgh for our Navy game."

   A third-round draft selection of New England in 1995, Martin spent three years with the Patriots (1995-97) before signing with the New York Jets (1998-2006).

   Martin finished his career with an astonishing 14,101 yards to rank fourth all-time among the NFL's career rushing leaders, placing behind only Emmitt Smith (18,355), Walter Payton (16,726) and Barry Sanders (15,269). Martin's 100 total touchdowns rank 20^th all-time. He had 90 rushing TDs during his career and was named to five Pro Bowls.

   Martin, a graduate of Pittsburgh's Taylor Allderdice High, has been equally impressive off the field with various community endeavors. He recently started an initiative with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg aimed at decreasing homelessness in the city by two-thirds by the year 2009.

   NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said upon the running back's retirement that "Curtis Martin represents everything an NFL player should be." Added Jets owner Woody Johnson: "Curtis approached philanthropy the same way he approached the game -- with humility and grace."

   Martin rushed for 2,643 career yards at Pitt despite playing in only two contests during his final campaign in 1994 due to an ankle injury. The highlight of his collegiate career came in the '94 opener when Martin dashed for 251 yards against the Texas Longhorns, setting a Big East single-game rushing record. Martin was a first-team All-Big East running back in 1993 after rushing for 1,075 yards.

   The Pitt-Navy game will kick off at 8 p.m.