At 60, Mike Martin feels football’s toll, but savors memories of late son, Taft, Bengals fans, Mike Brown
TO THE COACH’S BOX READERS: This is my weekly Sports Fan Coach column for the Cincinnati Enquirer and Cincinnati.com. Thanks to sports editor Jason Hoffman and the Enquirer for agreeing to share this here. The Enquirer photos are from 1987 (top) and 2015 (below)
By Mike Bass @ SportsFanCoach1
Editor’s note: This is a weekly column from former sports reporter and editor Mike Bass. Bass will be contributing to The Enquirer by offering advice for sports fans, athletes and youth sports parents and coaches through a weekly Q&A. To ask a question of Bass for potential publication, email him at mikebass3838@gmail.com. And get the conversation going on Twitter @SportsFanCoach1.
Mike Martin turned 60 last month.
The former Cincinnati Bengal who resurrected Taft High School’s football program lives in Chicago, where he celebrated his birthday at home, enjoying dinner and a movie with his wife, daughter and mother-in-law. His late son remains part of their lives, a mission to save others. Otherwise, Martin remains active, but feels the aftereffects of football. He still remembers a special moment with Bengals fans, but has changed his view of the then-assistant GM who released him 30 years ago. Martin addressed that and more in a recent Q&A via email with me. Following are excerpts of that interview:
Mike Bass: Generally speaking, how are you feeling? Like you are 60?
Mike Martin: Sixty looks good on me, lol. I'm still working out, and my overall health is pretty good.
B: Specifically, are you experiencing any similar post-football issues as other players? Any concerns about head issues and CTE?
M: I have a few problems with post-football issues. I had both my hips replaced, and my short-term memory is bad. Along with frequent headaches.
B: What are you doing in terms of work and to keep yourself occupied in these unusual times, including continuing efforts to educate and prevent pulmonary embolisms, in honor of your late son, Marcus?
M: I'm living in Chicago, where my family owns a few smoothie bars and a fitness facility. I'm also the vice president of the Marcus Martin Foundation. We provide financial support for college-bound high school students, conduct free youth football camps, and I speak out about the dangers of Pulmonary Embolism. This is what took my son away from us, six years ago, at the age of 25.
B: What do you miss most about Cincinnati?
M: One of the many things I miss about Cincinnati is the people. I lived in Cincinnati for 30 years and developed many wonderful friendships that still exist today.
B: What is your favorite story about Bengals fans?
M: Bengal fans were great to me. In the final game of 1984, I went into the game as the leading punt returner in the NFL. They introduced the special team and saved me for last. The place went crazy. I still get excited talking about it.
B: Although an injury prematurely ended your 1988 season as a player, you had an insider’s view of the entire Super Bowl season. What is your favorite story about that season that Bengals fans might never have known?
M: The ’88 season was an incredible one. Being out for the season after Game 6, what I remember is how everyone decided they were going to truly commit to one another. We always had talent, but everyone wasn't always on board. That year, everyone held each other accountable. This is what got us to the Super Bowl.
B: How much do you watch the Bengals now, if at all?
M: I try to watch as many games as I can, even though I'm not too familiar with many of the players.
B: For Bengals fans, Mike Brown was and still is their favorite target, as the Bengals complete a 30th season since their last playoff win. You and Mike had your differences, including how you were released after being faithful during Plan B free agency. How do you feel now about Mike and the Bengals?
M: When I was released by the Bengals, I was not happy, but who is when you get cut? I realized loyalty is not a part of football when you are a player. But I understood later the business aspect the game. Mike Brown and I have become really good friends. When he came to my son's Celebration of Life Service, that was special and I will never forget that.
B: Any other overall thoughts about the current state of the Bengals? Zac Taylor? Joe Burrow?
M: As far as the Bengals football team, I think it's gonna be awhile before they get back on the winning track. I don't think they have the personnel to be successful. I don't know enough about Zac Taylor and his staff. You are only as good as your players, though.
B: You revived the Taft football program. What does that mean to you today?
M: Being the head football coach at Taft High School was a very rewarding experience for me. I got the opportunity to help change the lives and the culture of the athletes I was involved with. I'm still in contact with almost every player and coach who was with me at Taft. I was also truly blessed to have had the opportunity to coach my son Marcus at Taft!
B: What was it like dealing with the parents, and how did you learn to navigate them?
M: I had a great relationship with the majority of the parents at Taft. Every year at the beginning of the season, I would have a mandatory meeting with all the parents. I would let them know what to expect from me as a coach and how my door would always be open. If they didn't like my coaching style, they were free to remove the child from the team.
Because a lot of my players didn't have their fathers in their lives, I often stepped into the role of father figure. It was nothing for me to get a call at 11 p.m. on a school night about a player who wasn't home. I would jump in my car and make the 35-minute drive from Mason to downtown to find my player. The players would hate to see me pull up. Not only were they going to hear it, they would run the next day until I got tired.
B: What type of a youth sports parent were you?
M: I was a great youth sports parent. I coached Marcus in youth football and basketball. I think I had more fun than the kids.
B: What type of youth sports parents were your parents?
M: My mom didn't get to see me play youth ball. She was always taking care of something at home. My dad wasn't around when I was young.
B: What were you like as a sports fan growing up (in Washington, D.C.)?
M: I was a fan of all sports when I was young. I remember going to my aunt's house to watch the 1973 Super Bowl with the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins on her 14-inch color TV. What a thrill for me.
B: What are you like as a sports fan now?
M: Today as a sports fan, I get bored quickly. I'm more into today's news.
B: What would you like Cincinnati fans to know about you?
M: When I think about how Cincinnati people see me, I feel they know me. They know I was a passionate football player and coach, a good role model, who cared about everyone and everything. Most of all, I was an exceptional father figure to many. That will be my everlasting legacy!
Remember to email Bass at mikebass3838@gmail.com or reach out to him @SportsFanCoach1 on Twitter if you want to be included next week. His website is MikeBassCoaching.com.