Kelvin Martin (American football)

Kelvin Brian Martin (born May 14, 1965 in San Diego, California) is a former professional American football player in the National Football League who was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 1987 NFL Draft. A 5'9", 163 lb. wide receiver from Boston College, Martin played in ten NFL seasons from 1987 to 1996 for the Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, and Philadelphia Eagles.

Early years
At Ribault High School in 1982, he made first-team All-City, while leading all Jacksonville receivers in catches (47), yards (746) and touchdowns (7).

College career
Among top wide receivers in Boston College history, still holds the career touchdown receptions record with 28. Remains second in career yardage (2,337 yards) behind Pete Mitchell and fifth in receptions (133). Overall, he scored 194 career points.

In 1985 he was named as an All-East wide receiver, had a career-high 172 receiving yards against Pittsburgh University, and was key contributor in Boston College’s Cotton Bowl win.

He caught the winning touchdown pass in the final seconds of Boston College 27-24 Hall of Fame Bowl victory over Georgia University in 1986.

As a punt return specialist, he led the nation in yardage in 1985 (510). He set Boston College records for career returns (79 for 1,012 yards), single season yardage (510), single game yardage (166), and scored four touchdowns on punt runbacks.

Inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000.


 * 1983: 6 catches for 119 yards with 1 TD
 * 1984: 37 catches for 715 yards with 10 TD
 * 1985: 49 catches for 958 yards with 9 TD
 * 1986: 41 catches for 545 yards with 8 TD

Dallas Cowboys
Martin was drafted in the fourth round of the 1987 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.

Nicknamed "K-Mart", by his second season in Dallas, he became a starter playing alongside Michael Irvin. With the arrival of Alvin Harper, he found his role diminished, limiting him to third down situations and as a punt returner.

Martin led the Cowboys in receptions with 46 in 1989 and 64 in 1990. He also led the team in punt returns in five different seasons, tying the record held by Bob Hayes.

he caught 32 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns during the 1992 Super Bowl championship season; also returned two punts for touchdowns. Martin participated on Super Bowl XXVII, did not have any reception on the game but returned 3 punts for 35 yards and returned 4 kickoffs for 79 for a total of 114 yards, same amount of yards that Micheal Irvin made with his 6 receptions in the game.

Seattle Seahawks
Signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an unrestricted free agent 1993. In two years with the Seahawks, he combined for 113 receptions, 1,479 yards and six touchdowns.

Jacksonville Jaguars
He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1995 NFL Expansion Draft, but was later released to reach the 95-man roster limit.

Philadelphia Eagles
After his release, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and appeared in nine games during the 1995 season, catching 17 passes for 206 yards.

Dallas Cowboys
Re-signed with the Cowboys in 1996, catching 25 passes for 380 yards.

He retired at the end of the season, finishing his career with 367 passes for 4,768 yards, 15 touchdowns and 41 punts returns for 373 yards.

Post Football career
He was assistant football coach for the University of North Texas until his resignation in 2002.