Report: Martin to retire
July 24th, 2007
New York, NY (Sports Network) - New York Jets running back Curtis Martin is expected to announce that he will retire from football when the Jets open up training camp.
According to a report in the New York Post, the NFL's fourth all-time leading rusher, who hasn't played since the 2005 season, will announce his decision when the Jets open camp on Friday.
Martin underwent surgery in December 2005. It was originally supposed to be an arthroscopic procedure, but more damage than expected was found in the knee.
The 34-year-old, who has a degenerative bone-on-bone condition in his surgically repaired right knee, was on the physically-unable-to-perform list since the start of last season's training camp. However, after he agreed to void the 2008 and 2009 seasons of his contract and reduce his salary to the veteran's minimum, the Jets activated him from the physically-unable-to- perform list so he could begin the retirement paperwork.
Martin played 11 seasons in the NFL - three with the New England Patriots and eight with the Jets - and rushed for 14,101 yards and 90 touchdowns. His 3,518 rushing attempts is the third highest in league history. Martin also had 484 receptions for 3,329 yards.
In 2004, Martin won the rushing title with 1,697 yards and joined Hall of Famer Barry Sanders as the only players to begin their careers with 10 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
A five-time Pro Bowler, Martin was signed as a restricted free agent by the Jets in March 1998. He is the franchise's all-time leading rusher with 10,302 yards.