When former Giants defensive end George Martin was named the executive director and president of the NFL Alumni Association, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell praised him as the right leader for the organization. But an investigation into the organization calls into question just how good a job Martin has actually done.
“George Martin hasn’t done squat except take care of himself and those around him,” former Raiders lineman Dave Pear says in a lengthy FOXSports.com article about Martin’s leadership of the NFL Alumni Association.
Adds former Buccaneers tight end Jimmie Giles, “I don’t know what George’s agenda was. If it was to help players, he hasn’t done a very good job.”
Also being questioned is whether Martin, who has declared personal bankruptcy three times, is qualified to run the NFL Alumni Association and oversee the organization’s finances. The organization recently needed a $1 million loan from the NFL to stay solvent.
Martin, whose base salary is $270,000 a year, says the NFL Alumni Career and Business program has helped more than 50 retired players, and that a program recently gave some disadvantaged former players up to $1,000 each in assistance. But the FOXSports.com investigation suggests that much more needs to be done, and raises questions about whether Martin is the right man to do it.