Ed (Poncho) Martin was an All-American defensive end and four-year letter winner for the Indiana State football team from 1980 to 1983. He was an All-Missouri Valley Conference selection in 1982 and 1983 and was named the MVC Defensive Player of the Week six times during his collegiate career.
He was the first Sycamore football player to be named to multiple First-Team All-America squads, being chosen as a Kodak First Team All-American in Division IAA selection, a Sporting News First Team All-American in Division IAA, and an Associated Press First Team All-American in Division IAA in 1983.
Martin was also named to the Chicago Sports Magazine All-America Team in 1983 and was twice named the Indiana State Defensive Player of the Year (1982 and 1983.
During his playing career, Martin was a key ingredient of the 1983 team that recorded ISU’s first nine win season, first post-season playoff appearance, and first ranking in the Top 10 of Division IAA. The Sycamores were 9-4 in the 1983 season, reached the quarterfinals of the IAA playoffs (losing to eventual champion Southern Illinois) and finished the regular season ranked fifth nationally.
Martin was drafted in the seventh round of the 1984 National Football League draft by the Dallas Cowboys and in the sixth round of the United State Football League draft by the Pittsburgh Maulers. He eventually signed with the Los Angeles Express of the USFL.
After the USFL folded, Martin joined the Dallas Cowboys but knee injuries forced an early retirement. Martin returned to Indiana State, completed his degree in Communications, and then played briefly with the Indianapolis Colts before retiring for good.
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Four time letter winner at Indiana State
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Named All American at Defensive End
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Twice named All-Missouri Valley Conference
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Received Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week award six times
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Twice named Indiana State Defensive Player of the Year
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Drafted in 7th round of the NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys (1984)
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Drafted in 6th round of USFL Draft by Pittsburgh Maulers (1984)
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Inducted into Hall of Fame February 9, 2009
