Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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60 JANUARY 2025 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY TODD D. BURLAGE N othing is official, but circumstantial evidence suggests the terrific NFL career of former Irish All-American of- fensive guard Zack Martin is over. The Dallas Cowboys announced Dec. 5 that Martin would undergo season-end- ing surgery on a right ankle that has been troubling the player for months, and has diminished his usual stellar on-field per- formance. The ankle issue sidelined the seven-time All-Pro for two games before Martin decided to shut his season down and ponder his future from there. Martin suggested during fall camp that this season — his 11th with the Cowboys — might be his last, and this latest development might seal the deal, though he left all options open. "We'll see what the future holds," Martin told DallasCowboys.com. "This is not the time to have those discus- sions, and that is all I'll say about that." Martin, 34, is not under contract with the Cowboys in 2025, so where and if he plays next season remains to be seen. "It's a tough situation," Martin added. "And the most important thing on my mind is getting healthy, and then hav- ing those conversations down the road." A sure-bet NFL Hall of Fame inductee, the former Notre Dame All-American and first-round pick (16th overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft added a ninth Pro Bowl selection and a seventh first-team All- Pro honor to his résumé in 2023. Martin is also a lock to someday add his name to the prestigious Dal- las Cowboys Ring of Honor. Only fran- chise greats Bob Lilly (11), Jason Whit- ten (11), Larry Allen (10) and Mel Renfro (10) have more Pro Bowl selections than Martin with nine. The Indianapolis native signed a two- year, $36 million contract in August 2023 and didn't disappoint, finishing his fifth season with no holding penal- ties that fall. During his first 10 years with the Cowboys, the four-year Irish starter (2009-13) had seven holding penalties and nine Pro Bowl selections. "Clearly a Hall of Famer, not only for the way he plays but just first class," Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said. "He just commands a lot of respect. He's been a joy to work with and I can't say enough great things about him." This season hasn't been as produc- tive for Martin, as the penalties and the protection breakdowns piled up dur- ing a rough start for the Cowboys. But the admiration from his teammates and coaches remains intact. "Same person, personality, every sin- gle day," McCarthy added. "Hard work- ing, true team guy, puts team first." The Cowboys memorably made Mar- tin a first-round draft pick 10 years ago, despite owner and general manager Jerry Jones suggesting that Texas A&M quarter- back Johnny Manziel would be a better se- lection. And the rest, as they say, is history. "After not responding to some of the treatment we did the last couple of weeks, that I've done in the past and have really helped me," Martin said, "to not get that kind of response I'm looking for, we just came to the decision that it's time to get this thing fixed and move forward." ✦ Perennial All-Pro Zack Martin Weighs Retirement I R I S H I N T H E P R O S Martin, a seven-time All-Pro, was hampered by an ankle issue this season before ultimately undergoing season- ending surgery. PHOTO COURTESY DALLAS COWBOYS FIGHTING IRISH HEADLINERS Julian Love (Played at Notre Dame from 2016-18), DB, Seattle Seahawks, NFL The 2019 fourth-round draft pick continued his fine season with the Seahawks in a 26-21 win over the Jets Dec. 1. He made 6 tackles — three of which were defensive stops that put the Jets' offense at a disadvantage — broke up a pass and forced a fumble, which the Seahawks recovered. Through 13 games, Love led Seattle with 89 tackles and added 8 passes defended, 2 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles. Quenton Nelson, (2014-17), OG, Indianapolis Colts, NFL The New Jersey product continued his push for a seventh straight Pro Bowl selec- tion in a 25-24 win over the Patriots Dec. 1. The 2018 first-round draft pick (6th overall) allowed no pressures in the pass game and helped pave the way for 144 rushing yards for Indianapolis, including a 3-yard scoring run in the second quarter that gave the Colts a 14-9 lead. Kyren Williams (2019-21), RB, Los Angeles Rams, NFL The former Irish All-American and 2022 fifth-round draft pick rushed 15 times for 104 yards and a 4-yard touchdown — his 10th of the season — in a 21-14 win over the Saints Dec. 1. That same week, the Rams named the St. Louis native as their nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which is given to the player who makes the greatest impact on the field, and in the community.