Jets' Curtis Martin Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame

Curtis Martin was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday night, concluding a wonderful playing career with the ultimate individual achievement. 

With the fourth highest rushing total in NFL history with 14,101 yards after 11 seasons in the league, Martin was made a Hall of Famer in his second year of eligibility. Last season, Martin was unable to make it past the second stage of the event, falling short of the mark.

It wasn't something Martin is used to. 

The pro running back was the opposite of failure, carrying the New York Jets to the success they had throughout his nine seasons with them. Martin carried the ball 3,518 times throughout his career, and didn't miss a game from 1999 to 2004. On every one of those runs, all his effort was put into pushing that ball forward for his Jets.

After spending three years with the rival New England Patriots, Martin jolted to the Big Apple to join the Jets and his old head coach in New England, Bill Parcells. In fact, Martin claimed he was fine with not making the Hall of Fame last year, so long as he and Parcells would be inducted together in 2012.

Unfortunately for Martin, Parcells, eligible for the first time, didn't qualify in the eyes of the committee and will not be inducted on August 4. Although Parcells won't have a head bust created on the same day, Martin has said that he will have his mentor introduce him on that historic day. 

Martin's 100 total touchdowns and 10 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons definitely helped his case as a Hall of Famer, but what most likely solidified the running back from Pittsburgh as one of the best players to ever play the game was his 2004 season. At the age of 31, Martin won the rushing title with a stunning 1,697-yard season, carrying the Jets into the playoffs and past the San Diego Chargers in the Wild Card Round. 

Winning the title at age 31 made Martin the oldest player to ever lead the league in rushing for a single season. With the rest of his credentials already set, the season pushed him to the next level and into legitimate Hall of Fame discussion. 

With 2012 off to a rocky start for all Jets fans, finally a piece of good news comes to the fanbase. Martin becomes only the third player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame from the New York Jets.

Also inducted with Martin will be Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Willie Roaf, Dermontti Dawson and senior selection Jack Butler.

Congratulations Curtis Martin!