Zachary Edward Martin was born on November 20, 1990, he is an American football offensive guard for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Notre Dame and was drafted 16th overall by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He has made seven Pro Bowls and been selected to seven All-Pro teams. Martin is considered one of the best guards in the NFL.
After redshirting in 2009, he became the starting left tackle for the Irish in 2010. He saw action in all 13 games in 2010 and was one of 11 players to start all 13 games for the Irish that season. As a junior in 2011, he started all 13 games as a left offensive tackle and was part of a unit that only allowed 17 sacks during the season.
He helped pave the way for a running game that averaged 4.8 yards a carry, the best by a Notre Dame team since 1996. In 2012, he was named one of four team captains for the Irish. He started all 13 games and helped lead the team to a 12–0 regular season record and a trip to the 2013 BCS National Championship Game against the Alabama Crimson Tide, but lost 42–14. He announced he would return to the Irish for the 2013–2014 season.
On June 13, 2018, Martin signed a six-year, $84 million contract extension with the Cowboys with $40 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid guard in the NFL. He suffered a knee injury in Week 14 and missed the following week, the first time in his career that he had missed a game.
In 2019 Martin become one of five offensive linemen ever to secure a Pro Bowl invitation in each of their first six seasons, joining Lou Creekmur (1950–57), Jon Morris (1964–70), Joe Thomas (2007–16) and Richmond Webb (1990–96).
In Week 11, Martin made his first career start at right tackle due to injuries across the offensive line. On December 7, 2020, Martin was placed on injured reserve with a calf strain. He was activated on January 2, 2021. On September 5, 2021, it was announced that Martin was ruled out for the 2021 season opener due to testing positive for COVID-19.
Who Is Zack Martin’s Brother, Nick Martin
Zack and his brother Nick, spent their entire elementary years from kindergarten through eighth grade at Saint Matthew Catholic School, in Indianapolis, Indiana, according to their then principal, Dr. Martin Erlenbaugh. The Martins are products of Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) sports in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
Zack and Nick each enrolled in their freshman year at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. Zack tallied 114 pancake blocks during his senior campaign and was named a first-team all-state selection as a senior and junior. He was a member of the Indiana Class 3A State Championship team as a sophomore with a 12–3 record and helped lead his high school team to a 14–1 record and second consecutive Indiana Class 3A state championship as a junior in 2007.
Nicholas Jacob Martin was born on April 29, 1993, he is an American football center for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Notre Dame and was drafted by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Martin has also been a member of the Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints.