Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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to take care of his body. He and Watt He needed help leaving the field in the pushed each other to train hard in the second half after an ankle injury near the weight room even during the regular goal line. Without the six weeks of exseason to maintain their weight and tended preparation before the BCS Natheir strength. They visited the training tional Championship Game, his streak room together frequently and figured likely would have come to an end. out how to eat properly. Nick Martin, Zack's younger brother "It's just over time seeing that your and Notre Dame's starting center, said body doesn't recover as fast as it would the last time he remembers seeing his when you were younger," Watt said. brother actually injured was when Zack "Getting into the cold tub and making broke his leg as a 4-year-old. Then again, an emphasis on that to keep your body "seriously injured" has a slightly differrecovered every day." ent definition for the Martins. As roommates and partners on the The younger Martin brother broke line, Watt and Mara bone in his right tin became almost hand, the one with "He's played through inseparable durwhich he snaps the a myriad of shoulders, ing their time at knees, ankles, elbows and ball, during Notre Notre Dame. Watt Dame's recent loss back. He keeps playing. has started next to I'm not saying a lesser guy to Pittsburgh and Martin at left guard would be out of the lineup, didn't miss any in 36 of the last 37 but his mental and physical time. He taped his games. He missed toughness is off the charts. pinkie to his ring only a recent start That's why he's going to have finger, which is as against Navy beclose as the hand a long career in the NFL." cause he tore a ligacame to being in a Head coach Brian Kelly on Martin ment in his knee. A cast, and took the week later, Watt was back in the lineup field on the team's next series. A week and Martin was talking about his part- later, he brushed it off as a minor anner's knee as if it was his own. noyance. "It feels better to me," he said after a "That family, Nick and Zack Martin week of practice. "If he's setting up [a are pretty unique," Kelly said. "They're block] for me, I can definitely feel the tough-minded kids. They make it seem difference when it's full strength." like it's nothing." Taking care of the bumps and bruises Neither brother can remember missis a big part of staying healthy during a ing any games due to injury during their long season. Proper blocking technique playing careers. Their father, Keith, was and understanding where your team- a defensive lineman at the University mates will be can help too, Watt said. of Kentucky and played through foot But no one survives four straight years and pectoral problems without missing without a little bit of luck. action. Kelly is certain that Zack MarMartin's break came last November tin has quietly weathered some similar in the regular-season finale against USC. aches and pains as well.