Robbie Martin
Robbie Lance Martin (born 1958) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League.[1][2][3] Martin was drafted out of California Polytechnic State University by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 1981 NFL Draft.[2][4] He played for the Detroit Lions from 1981–1984 and the Indianapolis Colts from 1985-1986.[1][3]
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| Position: | Wide receiver Return Specialist | ||||||||
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| Born: | December 3, 1958 | ||||||||
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| College: | Cal Poly | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1981 / Round: 4 / Pick: 100 | ||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Robbie Martin is the all time leading single season Punt Return Yardage Leader for the Indianapolis Colts setting the record in 1985 with 447 total punt return yards. Robbie also holds the single season record for most punt returns at 52 returns with 450 yards for the Detroit Lions set in 1981 his rookie year. Robbie Ranks 59th as the All Time Player in NFL history for Punt return yardage with 1,670 yards. Robbie ranks 115 as the All Time player in NFL history for Punt and Kick combined return yardage with 3,987 yards. Robbie returned 3 punts for touchdowns in the NFL with the longest being 81 yards vs the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thanksgiving Day in 1983 in front of 77,000 in attendance at the Pontiac Silver Dome. Robbie also returned punts for Touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings for 45 yards in his rookie season in 1981 and against the Miami Dolphins for 70 yards while he was playing for the Colts in 1985 . Against the Tampa Buccaneers Robbie set the single season record for Punt Return yards for the Indianapolis Colts in 1985.
During the last game of his rookie season in 1981 against the Tampa Buccaneers Martin suffered an injury to his big toe joint which required an untested new surgical procedure. The surgery was successful enough that Martin was able to continue his career by changing his running style with only losing a little of his quickness and foot speed. Martin consistently ranked among the top returners in the NFL during his 6 year career. The 1982 Season was shortened to 9 games due to the NFL Players strike which lasted 57 days. In 1983 the Lions were the Central Division champs and played the San Francisco 49'rs in the first round of the playoffs. The Lions lost when their last second field goal kick went wide right.
Before the 1985 Season Martin was traded to the Indianapolis Colts. While with the Colts Martin became a starting wide receiver and also handled all the kick and punt return duties. But mid season injuries forced Martin to concentrate primarily on returning punts and kickoffs. During the 1986 season Martin suffered several injuries to his foot and was eventually put on the injured reserve. Martin retired in 1987 due to the injuries suffered during the prior season.
PUNT RETURN STATS
DETROIT LIONS
| Year | Returns | Yards | Average | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 52 | 450 | 8.7 | 1 |
| 1982 | 26 | 275 | 10.6 | 0 |
| 1983 | 15 | 183 | 12.2 | 1 |
| 1984 | 25 | 210 | 8.4 | 0 |
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
| Year | Returns | Yards | Average | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 40 | 447 | 11.1 | 1 |
| 1986 | 17 | 109 | 6.4 | 0 |
NFL Season Leaders For Punt Return Yds
| 1981 | YDS | 1982 | YDS | 1985 | YDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. LeRoy Irvin • RAM | 615 | 1. Leon Bright • NYG | 325 | 1.Fulton Walker • 2TM | 692 |
| 2. J.T. Smith • KAN | 528 | 2. Robbie Martin • DET | 275 | 2. Irving Fryar • NWE | 520 |
| 3. Jeff Fisher • CHI | 509 | 3. Billy Johnson • ATL | 273 | 3. Henry Ellard • RAM | 501 |
| 4. Mike Nelms • WAS | 492 | 4. Mike Nelms • WAS | 252 | 4. Robbie Martin • Ind | 443 |
| 5. Robbie Martin • DET | 450 | 5. LeRoy Irvin • RAM | 242 | 5. Phil McConkey • NYG | 442 |
| 6. Stump Mitchell • STL | 445 | 7. Paul Johns • SEA | 210 | 6. Louis Lipps • PIT | 437 |
| 7. Jeff Groth • NOR | 436 | 8. Greg Pruitt • RAI | 209 | 7. Pete Mandley • DET | 403 |
| 8. Leon Bright • NYG | 410 | 9. Tommy Vigorito • MIA | 192 | 8. Garcia Lane • KAN | 381 |
| 9. Wally Henry • PHI | 396 | 10. Ron Fellows • DAL | 189 | 9. Evan Cooper • PHI | 364 |
| 10. Tommy Vigorito • MIA | 379 | 10. Paul Skansi • SEA | 312 |
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1985/leaders.htm
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1982/leaders.htm
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1981/leaders.htm
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MartRo20.htm
CAL POLY STATE UNIVERSITY SAN LUIS OBISPO
While playing for Cal Poly University SLO, Robbie Martin was the MVP of the Division II Championship Football Game the "Zia" Bowl in 1980 where he scored 3 touchdowns. Two Touchdowns were by pass receptions of 58 yards and 38 yards, and another Touchdown being a punt return of 50 yards (with a second punt return for a touchdown called back) to lead Cal Poly to win its first National Title.
Martin set a then career receiving record of 117 catches for 2,449 yards averaging 21 yards per catch with 19 Touchdowns. Martin also set Punt Return records returning 5 for Touchdowns his senior year.
Robbie Martin was awarded The Athlete of The Year For Cal Poly University in 1981.
Robbie Martin Earned Kodak All American Honors his Senior year 1980.
Robbie Martin was Inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame for Cal Poly University in 2005.
Graduated from Cal Poly State University SLO with a BS in Business Administration.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/ret_yds_career.htm
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/punt_ret_yds_career.htm