In the 1978 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected quarterback Doug Williams with the 17th pick. Williams would go on to become the first black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl with the Washington Redskins, and eventually go on to coach his alma mater, Grambling State University. Forty years later, Grambling running back Martez Carter is one of the biggest names to surface out of the Historically Black College scene in years.
Dubbed “Mr. Excitement”, Carter led the Tigers to a 2016 HBCU National Championship, and the team finished as runner-up in 2017. However, what many do not know is the road he took to get there.
What Influenced Your Decision to Go To Grambling State?
“Unfortunately I didn’t get to play my senior year of high school, so I walked on to play basketball at Wiley College.”
In what is supposed to be the best times of a teenager’s life, Carter struggled in many regards. With a mother working a majority of the day, father in and out of his life and an older brother in prison, Carter cared for his siblings. Between his two parents, Carter is one of 11 siblings. Financially, Carter’s home was in shambles, with a dispute over lack of clothing resulting in Carter leaving the house. At 14, Carter was homeless and struggling academically. Nevertheless, as an athlete, he was thriving, leading the Richwood Rams of Monroe, LA to a Class 3A State Title as quarterback. On the basketball court, Carter played point guard for the Rams, highlighting his dazzling athleticism via dunks exists on his YouTube highlight tape.
After his dismissal from the team for academic ineligibility, Carter moved to Georgia, transferring to Atlanta Sports Academy, a prep school. However, that lasted just a few weeks, before he returned to Richwood.
Carter’s basketball talents kept him afloat, earning a full ride to Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. Yet, after a year, his head coach would depart for Mississippi Valley State, which voided Carter’s scholarship. Nevertheless, Grambling State coach Broderick Lee Fobbs saw talent in Carter, offering a spot as a walk-on. Carter arrived as a cornerback, making a name on special teams, and the rest is history.
You’ve Helped Bring the Grambling Program Back to Glory, How Would You Describe Your Career as a Tiger?”
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphins
by Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
“It’s probably one of the best decision’s I’ve ever made. Playing for Grambling, I took a leap of faith, and it just so happened that we had a great head coach and the program was restored through his expertise of recruiting. It was just a great experience altogether.”
With the success of Tarik Cohen and others, teams are looking at HBCUs again for dynamic players. How does it feel to be the main name leading the HBCUs this year?
“It feels good actually to be a role model for not only kids and other players. To be the face right now is motivation, I’m just kind of living in the moment.”
What are some things about your game that you feel can help a team at the next level?
“I run between the tackles and catch out the backfield well. I’m a good returner, I just play a big part to an even bigger puzzle.”
What are some areas of your game that you personally feel like you can improve on?
“Route-running and blocking. These are things I critique myself very hard on. I feel like if I do better at pass blocking and running routes I can be a complete back.
If football was out of the question, what would your ideal goal be and why?
“ I want to be a probation/police officer and I want to coach. Just to be there like nobody was there for me. I didn’t have my father, my position coach was my father at the time in high school. He was always around, he was just a good dude and that was just the father figure I needed. I feel like if I stay around the kids and be around the football program I can steer some of those kids in the path I went.”
Your quarterback and teammate Devante Kincaid, may get an NFL chance, what was it like playing together?
It was good, Kincaid was a good athlete. A team player, he got us out of many tough situations, I enjoyed going to battle with him as well. As far as off the field, he was a cool kid to be around, so it made my job easier. He was just as athletic and skilled as I was, so us together was somewhat hard to defend.
Despite his efforts, Carter did not receive an invite to the NFL’s annual combine in Indianapolis last week. Nevertheless, he is a highly touted prospect who will hear his name called in April. For Carter, it is another chapter in a telling story. For the HBCU culture, it is another stride in the fight for respect and rejuvenation of black college football.
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 108: Hall of Famer Bryant Young Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:45 am
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bryant Young returns to the show to talk with […]
-
Ep 107: Pro Football HOF President Jim Porter Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Clark and Ira are once again joined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's […]
-
Ep 106: Remembering Pat Tillman w/ Former Cardinals Coach Dave McGinnisby Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis joins Clark and Ira to remember […]
-
Ep 105: Who Are The Top 5 Quarterbacks of All Time?by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2022 at 12:46 am
Who is the most underrated quarterback of all time? The most overrated? […]
-
Ep 104: John McClain Joins The Show To Talk Retirement and Houston Sportsby Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2022 at 2:50 am
Former Texans beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, John McClain, joins […]
-
Ep 103: Discussing The New NFL OT Rules With Upton Bellby Full Press Coverage on March 31, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Former NFL executive Upton Bell joins Clark and Ian to discuss the latest […]
-
Ep 102: Remembering John Clayton With Former Seahawks PR Director Gary Wrightby Full Press Coverage on March 22, 2022 at 8:10 pm
Former Seattle Seahawks PR Director Gary Wright joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 108: Hall of Famer Bryant Young Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:45 am
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bryant Young returns to the show to talk with […]
-
Ep 107: Pro Football HOF President Jim Porter Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Clark and Ira are once again joined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's […]
-
Ep 106: Remembering Pat Tillman w/ Former Cardinals Coach Dave McGinnisby Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis joins Clark and Ira to remember […]
-
Ep 105: Who Are The Top 5 Quarterbacks of All Time?by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2022 at 12:46 am
Who is the most underrated quarterback of all time? The most overrated? […]
-
Ep 104: John McClain Joins The Show To Talk Retirement and Houston Sportsby Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2022 at 2:50 am
Former Texans beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, John McClain, joins […]
-
Ep 103: Discussing The New NFL OT Rules With Upton Bellby Full Press Coverage on March 31, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Former NFL executive Upton Bell joins Clark and Ian to discuss the latest […]
-
Ep 102: Remembering John Clayton With Former Seahawks PR Director Gary Wrightby Full Press Coverage on March 22, 2022 at 8:10 pm
Former Seattle Seahawks PR Director Gary Wright joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 230: Early Rookie Draft Seasonby Full Press Coverage on May 10, 2022 at 7:58 pm
-
Ep 229: Fantasy Fallout From the NFL Draftby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 10:52 pm
-
Ep 228: Pre-NFL Draft Dynasty Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 2:52 am
-
Ep 227: Rookie QB and TE classes of 2022by Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 7:45 pm
-
5/11 - Patriots Depth Chart, Contract Issues, Smoked Meat, and Ernie Adams With Matt Chathamby Full Press Coverage on May 11, 2021 at 7:54 pm
Matt Chatham joins Steve, Murph, and Clare to talk Patriots depth chart, […]
-
5/4 - Good, Bad, and Ugly From NFL Draft With Evan Lazarby Full Press Coverage on May 4, 2021 at 7:39 pm
Evan Lazar of CLNS Media joins Steve, Murph, and Claire to recap the […]
-
5/16 - Celtics Advance; Jayson Tatum; Golden State; NBA Playoffsby Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2022 at 4:35 pm
Ian and John react to the Celtics game seven win over the Bucks and Jayson […]
-
NFL Schedule Release Reaction (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 10:45 am
Ian and John discuss the release of the NFL schedule.
-
Tom Brady's New Broadcasting Deal (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:45 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's post-retirement contract with Fox to […]
-
Celtics, Bucks Game Six, NBA Playoffs, Joel Embiid and James Harden (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:38 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics and Bucks upcoming game six, Joel Embiid […]
-
5/13 - NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's New Deal, NFL Schedule Releaseby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Ian and John talk Celtics/Bucks and the NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's new […]
-
5/9 - NBA Playoffs; Officiating In Professional Sportsby Full Press Coverage on May 9, 2022 at 5:46 pm
Ian and John discuss the NBA playoffs and their current officiating […]
-
Celtics Tie The Series Against Bucksby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:52 am
Ian and John react to the Celtics Game two win over the Bucks in Boston.
-
5/4 - Horror Movies; Deandre Hopkins Suspension; Celtics Bounce Backby Full Press Coverage on May 5, 2022 at 5:03 am
Ian and John discuss horror movies, the Deandra Hopkins suspension, and […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Ep 37: Matt Ryan Traded To The Colts; Jameis Returns To NOLA; Mariota to ATLby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts […]
-
Talkamania Episode 226by Talkamania on May 16, 2022 at 11:23 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 225by Talkamania on April 2, 2022 at 3:03 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 183 "The Streets Been Waiting"by Boot 2 The Face on May 15, 2022 at 4:59 pm
Sponsored by athleticgreens.com/EMERGING
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 182 "Mr. Toni Storm"by Boot 2 The Face on May 2, 2022 at 12:30 am
Marty and Rucker here again talking baseball, new action figures and the […]
-
Ep. 118: The Road To Campby Full Press Coverage on May 18, 2022 at 7:10 pm
-
Bruce There He Is - May 17, 2022by Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2022 at 7:00 pm
-
5/16 - Celtics Advance; Jayson Tatum; Golden State; NBA Playoffsby Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2022 at 4:35 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 226by Talkamania on May 16, 2022 at 11:23 pm
-
Ep. 37: Modern Problems Require Modern Solutionsby Full Press Coverage on May 15, 2022 at 3:16 pm
-
Episode 47 Criss Partee discusses the disappearance of James Harden and the latest NBA Playoffs newsby Full Press Coverage on May 15, 2022 at 4:10 am
-
Ep 113: Wade Barrettby Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 2:00 pm
-
5/16 - Celtics Advance; Jayson Tatum; Golden State; NBA Playoffsby Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2022 at 4:35 pm
-
NFL Schedule Release Reaction (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 10:45 am
-
Tom Brady's New Broadcasting Deal (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Celtics, Bucks Game Six, NBA Playoffs, Joel Embiid and James Harden (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:38 pm
-
5/13 - NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's New Deal, NFL Schedule Releaseby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:21 pm
-
5/9 - NBA Playoffs; Officiating In Professional Sportsby Full Press Coverage on May 9, 2022 at 5:46 pm
-
Celtics Tie The Series Against Bucksby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:52 am
-
5/4 - Horror Movies; Deandre Hopkins Suspension; Celtics Bounce Backby Full Press Coverage on May 5, 2022 at 5:03 am
-
Celtics/Bucks Game 1 Reaction (5/2)by Full Press Coverage on May 3, 2022 at 1:45 am
-
5/2 - Pt. 1 - NFL Draft Talk; Patriots Reactionby Full Press Coverage on May 2, 2022 at 9:38 pm