Harvey Banks Martin was an American professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys from 1973 until 1983.
21 Facts About Harvey Martin
1.
2.
Harvey Martin starred at South Oak Cliff High School and East Texas State University, before becoming an All-Pro with the Cowboys.
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That year, he overheard his father tell his mother that he was ashamed that his son did not play like his friends' children, so Harvey Martin decided to suit up for a football team for the first time in his life.
4.
Harvey Martin was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 1973 NFL draft.
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Harvey Martin eventually improved his physical strength and his technique by practicing against future hall of famer Rayfield Wright.
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Harvey Martin developed into an emotional player and fierce competitor, so much so, that he was nicknamed "Too Mean".
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Harvey Martin played only on passing downs as a rookie, but still led the team in quarterback sacks with 9, tying Willie Townes rookie team record.
8.
Harvey Martin took down the QB 7.5 times in 1974 and 9.5 times in 1975.
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Harvey Martin still holds the team record for most sacks for a rookie and in a season.
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Harvey Martin remained the team sack leader or co-leader every year, but his totals started to dwindle as his personal problems grew bigger.
11.
Harvey 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.
12.
Harvey Martin never played a home game, at any level, outside of North Texas.
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Harvey Martin retired in 1983 after refusing to take a Cowboys ordered drug test and during a feud with the team in which he claimed he was being forced to play injured.
14.
Harvey Martin later admitted in a 1986 autobiography that he did indeed have a cocaine addiction at the time.
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Harvey Martin is a member of the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame.
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Harvey Martin hit rock-bottom in 1996 when "Too Mean" was jailed on domestic violence and cocaine charges, receiving probation and spending eight months in a court-ordered rehabilitation program.
17.
Harvey Martin secured a job as a salesman for Dallas company Arrow-Magnolia.
18.
Harvey Martin spoke to children, drug addicts, and other groups about drug abuse and the challenges of his life.
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Harvey Martin was survived by his mother, son, and daughter.
20.
Harvey Martin died of pancreatic cancer on December 24,2001, at the age of 51.
21.
Harvey Martin was first Super Bowl Most Valuable Player to die.