News / Sports
New York Jets Running Back Curtis Martin Retires
Curtis Martin ended his 11-year NFL career on Thursday, announcing his retirement after concluding that he would be unable to return from an injury that sidelined him all of last season.
The New York Jets running back had hinted about plans for retirement as early as January but made his decision final on Thursday, one day before his club opened training camp.
Martin, 34, retires as the NFL’s fourth leading rusher of all-time, accumulating 14,101 yards with the New England Patriots and the Jets. Only Emmitt Smith (18,355), Walter Payton (16,726), and Barry Sanders (15,269) totaled more yards rushing than Martin.
It was in Week 2 of the 2005 season that Martin’s career was sidelined. He tore cartilage in his right knee against the Miami Dolphins and then aggravated the injury two games later against the Baltimore Ravens. Martin’s season ended after the Jets’ 12th game and he remained on the shelf through the 2006 season.
Announcing his retirement Martin said “Retirement is not an end, but a beginning. It is not giving up a position, but more of a passing of the baton. And it's definitely not a crossroad, but a bridge that will further my pursuits within the NFL.”
