Harvey Martin - Professional Career

Professional Career

He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft. During his first years with the team, the coaching staff looked to instill in Martin a sense of aggressiveness, confidence and mental toughness, that didn't come naturally to him. He eventually improved his physical strength, improved his technique practicing against hall of famer Rayfield Wright and learned to become an emotional player and fierce competitor, so much so, that he was nicknamed "Too Mean". By his third year in 1975, he was a full-time starter.

The NFL didn't start recognizing quarterback sacks as an official stat until 1982; however, the Cowboys have their own records, dating back before the 1982 season. According to the Cowboys' stats, Martin is unofficially credited with a total of 114 sacks, leading the Cowboys in sacks seven times during a nine-year period, with a high total of 23 sacks in 1977. He ranks first on the team's all-time sack leaders list.

In his rookie year he was a pass rushing specialist, playing only on passing downs, but still lead the team in quarterback sacks with 9, tying Willie Townes rookie team record. His 1977 season was one of the greatest ever by an NFL player. In a 14-game season he totaled 85 tackles and a league-leading 23 sacks (more than Michael Strahan's 22.5 record), he was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, a consensus All-Pro selection, a key component of the Cowboys winning Super Bowl XII, and a co-MVP of the game with Randy White.

He remained the team sack leader or co-leader every year, but his totals started to dwindled as his personal problems (financial problems and addictions) grew bigger.

As part of the famed Doomsday Defense, "The Beautiful" aka "Too Mean" went to the Pro Bowl four times and was co-Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XII. He still holds team records for most sacks as a rookie (9 - 1973), in a season (23 - 1977), and career (114). Former Cowboys GM Tex Schramm stated "He'll be remembered as one of the great Cowboys of the golden years ... He was a great player, one of the first great pass rushers." Martin followed up his 23-sack 1977 season with a 16-sack performance in 1978, 10 in 1979, 12 in 1980, 10 in 1981, 8 in 1982 and 2 in 1983. To this day he is considered the greatest defensive end in Dallas Cowboys history.

Martin, along with Don Meredith, is among the few players to play his high school (Dallas South Oak Cliff High School), college (East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University–Commerce), and pro (Dallas Cowboys) career in and around the Dallas, Texas, area. He never played a home game, on any level, outside of North Texas.

In 2009, he was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame.