Editing Curtis Martin (section)

==Early life==
Curtis Jr. was born in [[Pittsburgh]] to Rochella Dixon and Curtis Sr. on May 1, 1973.<ref name="Forgiveness">{{cite news|title=Politi: Jets' Curtis Martin has shown greatness beyond football, including forgiving his father |url=http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2012/01/politi_jets_curtis_martin_has.html |work=The Star-Ledger |author=Politi, Steve |date=January 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201053713/http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2012/01/politi_jets_curtis_martin_has.html |archive-date=February 1, 2012 |access-date=February 4, 2012 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Curtis Sr. left the family in 1978 after turning to drugs and alcohol, leaving Curtis's mother to support the family by working three jobs.<ref name="Forgiveness"/> During his youth, Curtis often moved around the various neighborhoods of Pittsburgh and was consistently surrounded by violence.<ref name="A Mix of Oil">{{cite news|title=Pro Football; For Martin, a Mixture of Oil With Talent|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E3DC1438F937A25752C0A9639C8B63|work=The New York Times|author=Chass, Murray|date=January 14, 2005|access-date=February 4, 2012}}</ref><ref name="An accident">{{cite news|title=AFC Playoffs / The Jets: Curtis Martin a football star by accident |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05014/441889.stm |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |author=Finder, Chuck |date=January 14, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629014412/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05014/441889.stm |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |access-date=February 4, 2012 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> His grandmother, Eleanor Johnson, was found murdered with a knife in her chest; at age 15, Martin had a near-death experience when the trigger of a loaded gun pointed at his head was pulled seven times, but never fired.<ref>{{cite news|title=For Martin, Hall Is Latest Stop in a Still Unfolding Career|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/04/sports/football/for-curtis-martin-hall-is-latest-stop-in-football-career.html|work=The New York Times|author=Pedulla, Tom|date=August 4, 2012|access-date=August 5, 2012}}</ref>

He and his mother settled in [[Point Breeze, Pittsburgh|Point Breeze]] prior to his sophomore year of high school. He began attending [[Taylor Allderdice High School]] which was known for its highly regarded academic reputation.<ref name="A Mix of Oil"/> He played basketball as a sophomore, but did not participate in any sports during his junior year.<ref name="A Mix of Oil"/> At the insistence of his mother, who wanted him to participate in an extracurricular activity as a way to keep him away from crime and violence, Curtis began to play football during his senior year, despite having never cared much for the sport.<ref name="An accident"/><ref name="USA Today">{{cite news|title=Jets' Martin: High output, low profile |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/jets/2004-09-29-curtis-martin-cover_x.htm |work=USA Today |author=Mihoces, Gary |date=September 29, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060117034724/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/jets/2004-09-29-curtis-martin-cover_x.htm |archive-date=January 17, 2006 |access-date=February 4, 2012 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

Martin was considered a natural athlete, according to former head coach Mark Wittgartner and became an immediate star on the football team. He played at the running back and linebacker positions. He also played on special teams and occasionally at quarterback.<ref name="A Mix of Oil"/> He ran for 1,705 yards and scored 20 touchdowns in his lone season of high school football.<ref name="USA Today"/> Martin graduated from Allderdice in 1991 and was inducted into their alumni hall of fame in 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 31, 2011 |title=Allderdice to induct 6 to Alumni Hall of Fame |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2011/10/31/Allderdice-to-induct-6-to-Alumni-Hall-of-Fame/stories/201110310301 |access-date=2024-03-29 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}}</ref>

Martin's performance at Allderdice attracted the attention of the [[University of Pittsburgh]]'s [[Pittsburgh Panthers football|football]] coach [[Paul Hackett (American football)|Paul Hackett]]. Though other offers were available, Martin decided to remain close to home and attend Pittsburgh.<ref name="USA Today"/>