Ritchie M.

JJ Birden, Retired NFL, Team X 88 Inc. (Testimonial)

I am writing on behalf of Wide Receiver Coach for Arizona Western College Richie Martin regarding the Bill Walsh NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship. I’ve had the privilege of knowing Mr. Martin for the last 17 years. We were part of the coaching staff for Tigard High School in Oregon back in 1997. Tigard was my first coaching job after completing a nine year NFL career as a Wide Receiver (Browns 1988, Cowboys 1989, Chiefs 1990 – 1994 and Falcons 1995 – 1996). I also selected him to coach on my Nike sponsored Instructional Football Camp (1996 – 1998 and 2007-2008) staff. Mr. Martin was a pleasure to work with because of his pleasant and positive attitude. I enjoy his intensity and desire for the game. Yet more importantly was his understanding and continued quest for more knowledge. The discipline he demonstrated in putting more hours in after practice or just studying game film always impressed me. He connects well with his players. Many times he went the extra mile in working with his athletes. As a result he has a knack for pushing his players to work at the highest level. As a fellow coaching staff member, he always blended in well with the staff and was a complete team player. From the perspective of one who has played in the NFL I believe with certainty Mr. Martin would be an excellent addition to the league. The league would be proud to have him. The NFL needs more men like Mr. Martin who purely love and appreciate the game of football and not take it for granted. His addition would continue to increase the value and quality of whatever staff he’s part of.

Tom McCarthy, Teacher & Head Football Coach, Franklin High School (Portland, OR) (Testimonial)

It is without hesitation that I write this letter of recommendation for Ritchie Martin. I have known Ritchie for more than thirty years. I have watched him grow into a fine man, husband and father. I have known Ritchie as a student, athlete, coach and friend and in that time I have witnessed him overcome many obstacles to achieve goals he set for himself that others thought he would never achieve. He overcame a tough upbringing to put himself through college and has become a positive influence to many young people. Ritchie has been a coach at the Junior High, High School and college level for many years; in all his years of coaching he has always shown a work ethic second to none. He is one of those guys who shows up first and is the last to leave; always being there for the athletes he coached. He has opened his home to disadvantage youth to give them a stable home environment that these young men would not have had if not for Ritchie. He gives of himself like no other coach I have worked with. Ritchie is a great role model for many athletes, he give them hope that with hard work they can improve their lives and the lives of their families. I have been a coach for thirty four years and have come in contact with hundreds of coaches over the years some good some not very good. I have nothing but respect for Ritchie he has always showed himself to be a man of honor and integrity. Ritchie Martin would be a deserving candidate to any program or organization. If given this opportunity he would not waste it he would excel and work hard to gain knowledge and insight from this program. The experience would help Ritchie grow as a coach and role model and with this opportunity he could reach more athletes and pass on his positive experiences.

Eric Gaines Parent (Testimonial)

Eric Gaines 07/07/2014 What a great program that betters your child. Tanner has definitely become a better football player thanks to all of you. He seems to get better and better every year thanks to this training.