Sam Martin is an inductee in the inaugural class of the Starr’s Mill Hall of Fame.

During his time at Starr’s Mill, Martin played soccer, basketball, and football. Martin also participated in Beta club and graduated with the class of 2008.

As a member of the Starr’s Mill football team his senior year, Martin garnered a few D-1 offers and ended up committing to Appalachian State University. He was later drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 2013 NFL draft as the 167th pick overall.

“There’s only 25,000 professional football players, and only 2% of all college athletes play professional sports of any kind,” Tom Martin, Sam’s father, said. “That’s a pretty small number for him to achieve. [For] that achievement alone, I’m very proud.”

At the time of his induction, Martin is playing for the Buffalo Bills and is starting his 11th year in the NFL.

Martin was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, and he moved to Peachtree City at age three. For most of his life, he played soccer, including four years on the varsity team at Starr’s Mill. He played competitively at AFC Lighting for many years.

“I played pretty serious soccer since I was a pretty young kid. [I] was never a football player,” Martin said. “Football wasn’t really a thing for me until my senior year when I decided to go out and kick field goals.”

Martin originally committed to Georgia State for soccer in his junior year, but he decommitted his senior year when he received an offer from Appalachian State to play football.

Martin went on to play for the Detroit Lions, the Denver Broncos and is about to enter his second year with the Buffalo Bills. He is not married but is a happy dog dad to a labradoodle named Leo.

“I had a great high school life. It was pretty much centered around soccer with high school soccer after school and club soccer in the evening,” Martin said. “I had a great group of friends in all grades.”