Star guard Zack Martin was the symbol of consistent excellence for the Dallas Cowboys over the past eleven seasons.
Zack Martin retires after eleven seasons with Jerry Jones’ Dallas Cowboys (Image via Imago/X)
The Dallas Cowboys have had great players wear the star on their helmets over the course of their history. Other than the Hall of Famers from the 90’s, the current iteration of the team possesses a player in the form of Zack Martin who could wear the gold jacket as soon as he retires.
The guard has been the symbol of consistent excellence on a Cowboys team that has been through it all. In his eleven seasons with the team, the Indianapolis native has racked up nine All-Pro selections. He became the benchmark other guards looked at for inspiration.
However, all that effort did not result in a Super Bowl. Teammate Micah Parsons had spoken about the need for the team to win a ring before the star guard retires. However, it seems that plan is moot after NFL Network’s Insider Tom Pelissero wrote this.
Seven-time All-Pro guard Zack Martin has informed the Cowboys that he plans to retire, sources tell The Insiders. One of the greatest linemen of his era and a probable Pro Football Hall of Famer, Martin walks away at age 34.
Tom Pelissero wrote on X
That means going forward, the Dallas Cowboys will be without their best player from the last decade. It seems that final season-ending injury played a hand. Guards do not get the attention or appreciation tackles, or other position players do. Zack Martin also wasn’t a player who demanded that attention.
He went about his business in the best way he knew. That is why he racked up seven holding penalties in his career. That is remarkable considering other highly touted offensive linemen do not even hold a candle to such elite play.
Fans blame Jerry Jones and Cowboys for undermining Zack Martin’s legendary career
Football fans have taken note of those numbers and have a couple of common reactions. On one hand, they were all praise for the 34-year-old after his remarkable career. On the other hand, they directed their shots at Jerry Jones and the rest of the Dallas Cowboys.
They believe the two did not do their part when Zack Martin was delivering elite play game after game. Jones and the Cowboys could have done more to help win a Super Bowl. But they evidently fell way short and did not do justice to the guard’s career. Check out examples of such comments below.
Zack Martin retires after notching seven 1st Team All-Pro selections to go with his two 2nd Team selections.
Along with that he has nine Pro Bowl callups and is a member of the 2010 NFL All-Decade Team. A Super Bowl ring would have capped off that illustrious career as he settles down with his wife and two children.
