Charles Martin (football player)

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Charles Martin
Date of birth:	August 31, 1959
Place of birth:	Canton, Georgia
Date of death:	January 26, 2005 (aged 45)
Career information
Position(s):	Defensive end
Jersey №:	94
College:	West Alabama
Organizations
As player:
1983 1984-87 1987 1988	Birmingham Stallions (USFL) Green Bay Packers Houston Oilers Atlanta Falcons

Charles Martin was a professional American football player, who is best known for his days with the Green Bay Packers.

Martin was most (in)famous for causing a season-ending injury to Chicago Bears starting quarterback Jim McMahon on 1986-11-23, an event that many fans blame for their failure to defend the 1985 Super Bowl title. A reference to this hit was made during his eulogy.

During pre-game warm-ups, Martin displayed a hand-towel with a list of Bears offensive players' numbers, which he wore during the game. He allegedly claimed that it was a hit-list. After a Jim McMahon interception, Martin grabbed him from behind and body-slammed him to the ground. Martin was ejected from the game and suspended for two games. This was the longest suspension for an on-field incident until Albert Haynesworth of the Tennessee Titans was suspended five games for stomping on the head of Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode in 2006.

This incident is considered a low point of the Bears-Packers rivalry, and underscored the hatred between coaches Mike Ditka of the Bears and Forrest Gregg of the Packers.

Having played college football at The University of West Alabama (then known as Livingston University), Martin began his pro football career with the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL in 1983. Martin played for the Packers from 1984-1987, the Oilers in 1987, and the Falcons in 1988.

Martin died in 2005 at age 46, due to complications from kidney failure.