George Martin visits a school along his route.
On a warm September morning, former Giants’ defensive lineman George Martin, BA’87 (T), walked across the George Washington Bridge from New York to New Jersey. He’s still walking. And he plans to keep walking until he reaches the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The trek will last about eight months, cross 15 states, wear out hundreds of pairs of sneakers and total 3,486 miles. But the only number that matters to Martin is how much money he plans to raise for 9/11 rescue workers: $10 million.
Martin closely followed the plight of the rescue and recovery workers who rushed to Ground Zero after the terrorist attacks. Many of those have become sick with respiratory ailments and other illnesses. Martin hopes his effort will raise awareness of their problems and provide significant funding for medical care.
“These individuals sacrificed their lives and put their health and safety at risk for others,” Martin says. “They are heroes in the truest sense of the word, and some people have forgotten about them.”
Martin, a resident of Ringwood, N.J., was deeply impacted by the events of 9/11 and lost two close friends in the attacks. “Being so close to what happened and seeing how our community was affected, I feel we all should do something, and this is what I chose to do.”
But why walk across the country? “The idea was actually not new,” he explains. “When you’re growing up in a small town [Martin was born in Greenville, S.C., and raised in Vacaville, Calif.] you have a natural desire to see what’s out there. I’ve always had a sense of wonder about our country. I matched that dream with my passion for charitable causes and in particular my desire to help those heroes of 9/11. It was a natural fit.”
Martin took a leave of absence from his position as a vice president of AXA Sports Financial Services to undertake the training and complete the journey. He established a nonprofit charitable organization, “A Journey for 9/11,” to organize the effort and garner support. The money he raises is being matched dollar-for-dollar in medical services provided by Hackensack University Medical Center, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health Systems and Mt. Sinai Medical Center. Many other corporations and individuals have sponsored and supported the effort. Fairleigh Dickinson University is among the sponsors and actually helped track his route through an online navigation map on the organization’s Web site. Kenneth Vehrkens, dean of the Anthony J. Petrocelli College of Continuing Studies, also serves on the organization’s board of directors, and joined Martin at the beginning of his walk.
“I’m so proud that FDU is behind me,” Martin says, “and I’m especially proud of Ken Vehrkens. He has been extremely supportive from day one.”
“I am honored to support this project,” Vehrkens says, “George is a wonderful humanitarian who has long been devoted to serving others. Only someone of his character, compassion and commitment could attempt and complete such an incredible journey. He has inspired so many people.”
Other journey board members include former Giants stars Phil Simms and Harry Carson. Martin, a co-captain of the Giants 1986 Super Bowl championship team, played 14 seasons in the National Football League and set a record for touchdowns by a defensive lineman. He was also widely recognized for his public service activities during his playing career (he won the NFL’s Byron “Whizzer” White Award for his community work) and continued to devote himself to humanitarian causes after retiring from football.
Martin, for example, was the cofounder and now is an executive board member of Minority Athletes Networking, a nonprofit organization committed to supporting inner-city youths. He also has contributed to organizations such as Tomorrows Children’s Fund, where he is honorary president, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He also has received “Man of the Year” honors from several groups.
| Left: Friends and officials, including representatives of the New York police and fire departments, the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey and other first responders, were on hand to celebrate the kickoff of George Martin’s journey. At the far left is Martin’s former Giants teammate Harry Carson. Right: Many friends and well wishers have walked alongside Martin. Kenneth Vehrkens, dean of FDU’s Petrocelli College, keeps pace with the former NFL star. Vehrkens is a member of Martin’s Journey for 9/11 board of directors. |
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