George Martin, co-captain and defensive end on the 1986 NFL champion New York Giants and current vice president of AXA Equitable Sports Financial Services, will undertake “A Journey for 9/11” on Sunday. Martin is walking across America to raise money for medical care for the Ground Zero workers at the World Trade Center site.
He’ll take his first steps at 8 a.m. on the George Washington Bridge on Sunday morning, walk into Giants Stadium for a special ceremony at halftime of his former team’s game vs. the Green Bay Packers and then continue on his way. He intends to reach his finish line at the Golden Gate Bridge early in 2008 and hopes to raise $10 million. That money will be matched in service dollars by two New York-area hospitals.
SportsBusiness Journal New York bureau chief Jerry Kavanagh caught up with Martin at his midtown office as he was making final preparations for his walk.
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| George Martin works in thefinancial services
industry aftermaking his name as defensive
end for the New York Giants. |
You flew back to New York on Sept. 10 following the Giants’ Monday night opener in Denver in 2001 and had a conversation on the plane with an out-of-towner making her first visit to New York City.
Martin: It was so ironic. I had pointed out the skyline and said that she should certainly visit the Twin Towers while she was here. Because we got in so late, I decided to sleep in the next morning. When I got up, I saw [from across the Hudson River at his home in New Jersey] what was happening at the Twin Towers, with smoke coming out of the top of the buildings.
What was the inspiration for “A Journey for 9/11?”
Martin: As a country boy [born in Greenville, S.C., and raised outside the Napa Valley in California] who has an appreciation for nature and a great admiration for the country that I live in, I always had a desire to walk across country. And even though I was a professional football player, that did not afford me the opportunity to get the flavor of a particular city before we’d go in and play.
About a year ago, I was at the Hall of Fame for the induction ceremony for my longtime friend and teammate Harry Carson. I was up early one morning walking around and doing my exercise and I just got this euphoric feeling that I could walk to the horizon and continue going. I thought, “It’s time.” I was going to fulfill my lifelong dream. And I thought if I was going to do something of this magnitude, why not associate a cause with it.
Why this cause?
Martin: It took about two seconds for me to think of those first responders and rescue and recovery workers who are having a difficult time. They have a big need for medical attention. We’ve all experienced personal loss, but I have two very good friends who had tragic losses as a result of 9/11. Because of the enormity of the tragedy, and the fact that it happened right here in our backyard, I think all of us have a desire to do something.
What do you hope to accomplish?
Martin: To raise awareness for the plight of those individuals who worked on the dig. Many of them went down there without being assigned. A lot of them rushed to the scene because they felt it was their duty to do so. You’ve got to admire and respect those who do that and put their own health and safety and welfare at risk. It almost makes it a shame when athletes are referred to as “heroes,” because by those standards we don’t qualify.
How will people be able to contribute?
Martin: Through our Web site: www.ajourneyfor911.com. All the information can be found there.
What has been the response to date?
Martin: Our initial objective was to raise $10 million for this cause. The participating hospitals, Hackensack University Medical Center and North Shore-Long Island Jewish, have both agreed to provide an additional service dollar for every dollar raised. So, if we hit our $10 million mark, it will result in $20 million in medical services. Those hospitals will then earmark the funds for those individual first responders and rescue and recovery workers.
Is anyone making the journey with you?
Martin: I’m part of a five-person team: a medical technician from Hackensack University Medical Center, one of New York’s Finest for security, a driver and an event planner.
Who else is involved in this?
Martin: This is not a solo endeavor. I’ve surrounded myself with great people: John Kirksey, who sits on our board, is senior VP here [at AXA] in charge of diversity; Dave Jurist, who is president of Tomorrow’s Children’s Fund; a great staff of volunteers headed by Lee Reeves, who’s my IT adviser. This has been a labor of love for a great many people, and they have all pitched in.
Any of your former teammates joining you during the walk?
Martin: Joe Morris, former running back, has agreed to walk 150 miles. He hasn’t yet designated where those miles will be. Harry Carson and Phil Simms, members of my board, are also very active and have pledged their contributions. There will be many others who will meet at various spots along the way.
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| Martin (shown here in 1981) willwalk
across the country toraise money for
medical treatmentfor 9/11 rescue
and recoveryworkers. He is set to
beginhis trek Sunday. |
What about Bill Parcells? He’s not coaching this season.
Martin: I will tell you this. We’ve already hit our first milestone. To date, we raised just over $1.2 million. Bill Parcells, when I talked to him last Thursday [Aug. 23], we were short of that $1 million mark. And it was his contribution that put us over that mark. When you have the support of a Bill Parcells, let’s just say that it lends a lot of credence to what you’re doing.
Who are some of your sponsors?
Martin: There are a great deal of sponsors: AXA Equitable, Bear Stearns, KeySpan Energy, Hunter Douglas, Nike, WWE, the NFL and the Players Association, NFL Films, UPS and a litany of others. S&L will provide GPS tracking. The GM Corp. is providing a motor coach.
It’s possible to track the journey online?
Martin: Yes. The Web site shows the projected route.
How many miles a day do you hope to cover?
Martin: Initially we were looking at 50, but that was during the summer when we had a lot more daylight. Realistically, if we can get 35-40 miles a day, we’ll be overjoyed.
Do you have a comfortable pair of shoes?
Martin: I do, and I have a very good corporate contact. Nike is a sponsor and it has provided a host of very significant things for this journey.
You were a professional athlete, but this I would think requires a different kind of training.
Martin: There is training (laughing). I think we’ve been training for it since birth. It’s literally walking. It’s walking with caution and paying attention to your body and how it functions under some extreme and adverse conditions. But mostly it’s mental. When I tell people about this, they can’t wrap their minds around the enormity of walking from coast to coast. I think it’s a generational thing. Our generation had automobiles, but walking wasn’t unusual for us. It was one of our modes of transportation. If you go back two generations, it was commonplace. But the kids now can’t walk to the store. They can’t walk to the mall.
What’s your impression of Roger Goodell?
Martin: I’m very impressed by his hands-on approach, with his policies and his dedication and commitment to them. And I’m impressed by the way he has embraced other ideas, the other side of the table and the NFL Players Association. Which also says there’s going to be a continuation of mutual respect between labor and management.
Best innovation in the NFL?
Martin: Look at the rules that are constantly coming out for the protection of the players. The rules committee is doing a great job of policing itself. And I applaud the way the NFL conducts itself and the fact that there are more stringent guidelines relative to code of player conduct.
Biggest thrill in football?
Martin: The ring that I wear for winning a Super Bowl championship. That stands alone as the greatest accomplishment I had on a team basis.
Do you have a prediction for this NFL season?
Martin: My prediction is that it will start in September and end in February. That’s as much of a prognosticator as I am.
