University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pro Football Hall of Famer Curtis Martin to Serve as Keynote Speaker at 2019 Pitt Kickoff Luncheon Presented by Huntington Bank
7/31/2019 11:00:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Curtis Martin, a star running back for the Panthers from 1991-94, will deliver the keynote address at the 2019 Pitt Football Kickoff Luncheon presented by Huntington Bank held on August 23 at The Westin Pittsburgh.
Martin, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School, will join Coach Pat Narduzzi, Director of Athletics Heather Lyke and the 2019 Pitt football senior class at the Kickoff Luncheon.
"Curtis Martin has set the highest of standards as a person, professional and athlete," Narduzzi said. "He is an absolutely legendary running back, but the most impressive thing about Curtis is how he has impacted the world beyond football. It is so inspiring to see what he is doing to help people and communities in need. I can't wait for our team to meet him and hear his message. We are really ecstatic that he can join us for this year's Kickoff Luncheon."
"Curtis is a tremendous source of pride for both Pitt and the City of Pittsburgh," Lyke said. "Not only is he a Hall of Fame running back, but he is also a Hall of Famer as a human being as well. What a shining example Curtis sets for our entire student-athlete community. We are beyond thrilled to welcome him back to Pitt."
Tickets for the Kickoff Luncheon are $55. A table of 10 can be purchased for $600. Tables of nine with a member of the Pitt coaching staff are available for $900. Individual tickets and tables can be reserved by clicking here.
Martin rushed for 2,643 career yards at Pitt despite playing in only two contests during his final campaign in 1994 due to injury. One of the highlights 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.
A third-round draft selection of New England in 1995, Martin spent three years with the Patriots (1995-97) before joining the New York Jets (1998-2006). At the time of his retirement, he ranked fourth all-time among NFL rushers with an astonishing 14,101 yards.
Martin became only the second player in NFL history to begin his career with 10 consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons. In 2004, he was the NFL rushing champion with 1,697 yards. Martin was named a Pro Bowler five times and All-Pro three times.
A 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Martin's enshrinement speech is widely considered one of the most memorable ever delivered in Canton.
Martin's pursuits and achievements beyond the football field are even more impressive.
As an active NFL player, he founded the Curtis Martin Job Foundation, which provides financial and hands-on support for single parents, youth charities, individuals with disabilities as well as low-income housing providers. The foundation has also made an international impact, working to send doctors to developing nations to perform operations on underprivileged and uninsured patients.
This past May, Martin received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City for his foundation's work. In 2018, the Congressional Award Foundation presented him with the Horizon Award, which honors individuals from the private sector who have worked to expand opportunities for all Americans through their own personal contributions.
Pitt football season tickets are now on sale. Fans can purchase full seven-game ticket packages beginning at $170. For more information, click here or call (800) 643-7488.
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Martin, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School, will join Coach Pat Narduzzi, Director of Athletics Heather Lyke and the 2019 Pitt football senior class at the Kickoff Luncheon.
"Curtis Martin has set the highest of standards as a person, professional and athlete," Narduzzi said. "He is an absolutely legendary running back, but the most impressive thing about Curtis is how he has impacted the world beyond football. It is so inspiring to see what he is doing to help people and communities in need. I can't wait for our team to meet him and hear his message. We are really ecstatic that he can join us for this year's Kickoff Luncheon."
"Curtis is a tremendous source of pride for both Pitt and the City of Pittsburgh," Lyke said. "Not only is he a Hall of Fame running back, but he is also a Hall of Famer as a human being as well. What a shining example Curtis sets for our entire student-athlete community. We are beyond thrilled to welcome him back to Pitt."
Tickets for the Kickoff Luncheon are $55. A table of 10 can be purchased for $600. Tables of nine with a member of the Pitt coaching staff are available for $900. Individual tickets and tables can be reserved by clicking here.
Martin rushed for 2,643 career yards at Pitt despite playing in only two contests during his final campaign in 1994 due to injury. One of the highlights 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.
A third-round draft selection of New England in 1995, Martin spent three years with the Patriots (1995-97) before joining the New York Jets (1998-2006). At the time of his retirement, he ranked fourth all-time among NFL rushers with an astonishing 14,101 yards.
Martin became only the second player in NFL history to begin his career with 10 consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons. In 2004, he was the NFL rushing champion with 1,697 yards. Martin was named a Pro Bowler five times and All-Pro three times.
A 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Martin's enshrinement speech is widely considered one of the most memorable ever delivered in Canton.
Martin's pursuits and achievements beyond the football field are even more impressive.
As an active NFL player, he founded the Curtis Martin Job Foundation, which provides financial and hands-on support for single parents, youth charities, individuals with disabilities as well as low-income housing providers. The foundation has also made an international impact, working to send doctors to developing nations to perform operations on underprivileged and uninsured patients.
This past May, Martin received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City for his foundation's work. In 2018, the Congressional Award Foundation presented him with the Horizon Award, which honors individuals from the private sector who have worked to expand opportunities for all Americans through their own personal contributions.
Pitt football season tickets are now on sale. Fans can purchase full seven-game ticket packages beginning at $170. For more information, click here or call (800) 643-7488.
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