Getting it done, on and off the field

Recommended reading: Greg Bishops’s New York Times piece on former running back Curtis Martin.

Martin not only had the requisite talent and toughness to play the position, he also had — and has — perspective and smarts.

Writes Bishop: “Even when he played, Martin did not want to be a scout or a coach or a broadcaster afterward. He wanted to own part of a team.”

Martin on his Hall-of-Fame candidacy:

“When I think of the Hall, what’s most satisfying is this really wasn’t something that I wanted. But I’m proud of that fact. I made the most of that situation. I maximized my opportunity.”

That's not something every athlete — or non-athlete, for the matter — can say.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/03/sports/football/03martin.html?adxnnl=1&ref=football&adxnnlx=1291964403-wBMltZdsV48nlbjwR4Weyw