Wayne Martin
COLLEGE: Arkansas
POSITION: Defensive End
BORN: October 26, 1965 in Cherry Valley, Arkansas
JOINED SAINTS: NFL draft: 1989 / Round: 1 / Pick: 19
YEARS WITH SAINTS: 1989–1999
Wayne Martin's Career Background
Former Saints defensive end Wayne Martin was enshrined in the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame in 2003 after a standout 11-year career with the Black and Gold.
The Cherry Valley, Ark. native was selected by the Saints in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft out of Arkansas. Martin appeared in all 16 games during his rookie campaign and became a starter in his sophomore season. A stalwart of the defense, Martin started all 16 games for nine consecutive seasons, 144 games in total. In addition to his consistency, Martin also has a share in Saints record books for sacks, where he ranks third for career sacks (82.5) and ties for fourth in single-season sacks (15.5), while holding the club record for single-game sacks with 4.5 (vs. Atlanta, 12/3/92). Overall, Martin played in 171 games, ranked tenth-most in franchise history, with 155 starts and accumulated 597 tackles (324 solo), 82.5 sacks, 11 stops for loss, one pass defensed, one interception, 12 forced fumbles, 13 fumble recoveries and one safety.
During his Saints career, Martin was one of the team's most charitable players off the field. In 1993, he donated $100,000 to help start up a transitional housing program through the St. Vincent DePaul Society, which would help single mothers get back on their feet. He was also the team's 1991 winner of the Ed Block Courage Award. Martin retired from football following the 1999 season.Â
Wayne Martin's College Career
Prior to being drafted by the Saints, Martin attended the University of Arkansas, where he joined the school record books ranking third in career stops for loss (37) and first in school history for career sacks (25.5). He anchored a defense that led the Razorbacks to a Southwest Conference championship win in 1988, earning him a first-team All-Southwest Conference selection and All-American honors.
Wayne Martin's Career Honors
Pro Bowl – 1994
New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame
