NFL Hall of Fame lock Zack Martin officially retires
Citing family, injuries, and a desire to go out on top, former Notre Dame great and seven-time NFL First-Team All-Pro Zack Martin made his retirement official today after 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.
The nine-time Pro Bowl selection at offensive guard leaves the game as one of the best NFL players that Notre Dame has ever produced, and a perfect example of what commitment and the pursuit of excellence can create.
“I was always captivated when coaches would talk about maximizing your full potential,” said Martin, who was accompanied during his announcement in Dallas by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, and a collection of former teammates. “That was always the goal. And after 27 years of football, I can confidently say I’ve done that.”
During his 11 seasons with the Cowboys, Martin remarkably recorded only seven holding penalties — not one in pass protection — to go along with those seven First-Team All-Pro selections.
“I did not make this decision lightly,” Martin added. “It came after a lot of thought and prayer. But the time has come for my football journey to reach its end. As I step away from the game, I do so with a full heart, knowing that I gave it everything I had.”
Quite a journey
A strong but quiet leader, Martin — who played at Notre Dame from 2009-13 — relied on his talent and durability to become a vital presence on and off the field for the Cowboys.
Only three times in his 11 NFL seasons did Martin, 34, miss a game, and in seven of those seasons he played at least 96 percent of his team’s offensive snaps.
“Zack’s the best,” said Cowboys veteran quarterback Dak Prescott, who spent parts of 10 seasons working with Martin in front of him. “It’s hard to even fathom a locker room or huddle without Zack Martin. He’s the ultimate leader. It’s a guy who you can’t replace.”
Rumors of Martin’s retirement surfaced last December when the former Irish All-American shut his season down and underwent season-ending surgery on a right ankle that had troubled the player for months, and had diminished his usual stellar on-field performance.
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“We’ll see what the future holds,” Martin said when his 2024 season ended. “This is not the time to have those discussions, and that is all I’ll say about that.”
A sure-bet NFL Hall of Fame inductee when he becomes eligible in five years, the 2014 First-Round NFL Draft pick (16th overall) is also a lock to someday add his name to the prestigious Dallas Cowboys Ring Of Honor.
Only franchise greats Bob Lilly (11), Jason Whitten (11), Larry Allen (10) and Mel Renfro (10) have more Pro-Bowl selections than Martin with nine.
“What a privilege it is for the Dallas Cowboys to be the only team that you’ve ever been on, the only team that you have ever played for,” Jones said. “We’re honored.”
The Cowboys memorably made Martin a first-round draft pick 11 years ago, despite Jones insisting that Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel would be a better selection.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
“I know many of you may have seen this decision coming but that doesn’t make it any easier,” Martin shared while fighting back tears. “Football has been a huge part of my life, it’s what I know, what I love, and what has shaped me for as long as I can remember.”
