Newsstand: Former Notre Dame OL Zack Martin reportedly retiring from remarkable NFL career
Former Notre Dame football offensive lineman Zack Martin’s outstanding 11-year NFL career has seemingly ended. On Thursday, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported that Martin informed the Dallas Cowboys that he plans to retire.
Martin spent his entire career with the Cowboys, earning nine Pro Bowl nods and a first-team All-Pro spot seven times. He was also second-team All-Pro in 2015 and 2017. The only two times Martin did not earn postseason recognition during his remarkable career were in 2020 and 2024. He only played 10 games in each of those campaigns.
This last season ended prematurely for Martin. He had injuries in both of his ankles last and chose to undergo season-ending ankle surgery in December.
Martin will go down as one of the best interior offensive linemen in NFL history. He had 6,659 snaps in pass protection and zero accepted holding penalties. Defenders only passed him for a sack 20 times, nine of which occurred during his last two seasons.
A product of Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, Martin spent five seasons at Notre Dame (2009-13). He capped off his Fighting Irish career as the MVP of the 2013 Pinstripe Bowl. He was also a second-team All-American in 2012.
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The Cowboys selected him with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Sixteen years later, he is expected to be a first-team Pro Football Hall of Famer when he becomes eligible in 2029.
Notre Dame Posts of the Day
On Thursday night, Notre Dame women’s basketball stars Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles led the Irish to an 82-42 win over Miami (FL).
Notre Dame Quote of the Day
“Zack Martin is the best of my generation, one of the greatest of all time and the best I ever faced!! Enjoy retirement and Canton in a few short years my brotha!!”
— Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Gerald McCoy, a six-time Pro Bowler, in a post on X (formerly known as Twiter) after Martin’s announcement.
Notre Dame Headlines of the Day
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- Micah Shrewsberry transcript: Notre Dame head coach reflects on season’s failures
- What to know, how to watch No. 1 Notre Dame women’s basketball vs. Miami
- Behind the scenes with Mike Brown: Notre Dame coach details development of rising sophomore wide receivers
- Former Notre Dame cornerback Jaden Mickey signs with Boise State out of transfer portal
- Newsstand: Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey named to Naismith Coach of the Year watch list
