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We have grown accustomed to bad press stories like
the one where Griffin Whitman, 10 years old, got this
foul autograph from Yankees player Shelley Duncan.
Class act huh?
While scouring the web seeking information on NFC East teams, the story of Former New York Giants defensive end George Martin caught my eye. After a bit of investigating I've found he's is walking... across America to raise money for health care for the rescue workers who responded to Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001. Yes WALKING. Martin began his project in September, planning to walk from George Washington Bridge in New York to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
8 months ago: Former New York Giants star George Martin
waves during halftime ceremonies at the Giants versus the
Green Bay Packers football game at Giants Stadium in East
Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007. Earlier Sunday,
Martin began a cross-country walk to raise money for sick
World Trade Center rescue and recovery workers.
For those fans outside of the NFC East who may be unaware, George Martin
was a star defensive end and co-captain of the Super Bowl
Champion New York Giants (1986). In Super Bowl XXI, he famously tackled
Broncos quarterback John Elway for a safety in the end zone. During his
14 NFL seasons (1975-1988), Mr. Martin scored seven touchdowns (three
on interception returns), which set a record for defensive linemen,
surpassed this season by Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Jason Taylor. He is also a former president of the NFL Players Association.Mr. Martin seeks to raise several million dollars to provide healthcare for 9/11 responders and increase awareness about the illnesses now affecting those who are suffering from lung disease, post traumatic stress disorder and other serious medical conditions stemming from their efforts at Ground Zero after the attacks of September 11, 2001.
Mr. Martin recently was named one of ABC News' "Persons of the Year 2007" and also received a humanitarian award from the Heisman Trophy Trust in New York. He is currently walking across Arizona and will continue through , Arizona, and California, where the Journey will end in San Francisco at the Golden Gate Bridge in Spring 2008.
Averaging 20-25 miles per day on foot (a rate of about four miles per hour), Mr. Martin has already passed through portions of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. His trek began at the George Washington Bridge in New York City and will end at the Golden Gate Bridge in Spring 2008.
It's been 8 months and counting since his journey began. It looks like he just might make it. He's in Arizona now! Mr. Martin's 3,200+ mile fundraising path across the United States can be tracked online daily via a GPS system here.
So while you're reading those stories of players demanding more, remember the man that is intent on actually giving back to a city that has supported him in the past.
George Martin is a true hero who is helping to bring much needed attention and assistance to the heroes of 9/11. I applaud him for undertaking this historic journey and thank him for devoting so much of himself to a critically important cause.
Why does he do it? His own words: "It is my honor to walk across this great nation to generate awareness about and funding for the healthcare needs of those who have fallen ill as a result of their selfless sacrifices in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. We need to do all we can as a nation to help the rescue and recovery workers of Ground Zero recover from and manage their illnesses. I encourage all Americans to support the efforts of those in Washington, DC, who seek to ensure proper medical care for those who have fallen ill as a result of 9/11, and I thank all those who are contributing to "a Journey for 9/11."
This is another feel good story that is lacking in sports coverage. George Martin is a true hero who is actually giving back and helping to bring much needed attention and assistance to the heroes of 9/11. I applaud him for undertaking this historic journey and thank him for devoting so much of himself to a critically important cause.