Editing Curtis Martin (section)

=== New England Patriots ===
The Patriots lost three running backs to free agency upon the conclusion of the [[1994 NFL season|1994 season]] and sought to fortify their [[backfield]].<ref name="Early days"/> One running back, [[Kevin Turner (running back)|Kevin Turner]], was signed by the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] as a [[Free agent#Restricted free agen|restricted free agent]] and Philadelphia sent a third round selection to New England.<ref name="Early days"/> The Patriots used the selection to draft Martin in the [[1995 NFL draft]] despite concerns about his durability.<ref name="Early days"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=1995 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1995/draft.htm |access-date=March 31, 2023|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Martin signed a contract with the team on July 19, 1995,<ref>{{cite news|title=Transactions|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/19/sports/transactions-61096.html?scp=17&sq=Curtis+Martin&st=nyt|work=The New York Times|date=August 19, 1995|access-date=February 5, 2012}}</ref> and made his NFL debut in the Patriots' week one win over the [[Cleveland Browns]].<ref name="Game log">{{cite web|title=Curtis Martin Career Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MartCu00/gamelog/ |publisher=Pro Football Reference |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728212721/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MartCu00/gamelog// |archive-date=July 28, 2012 |access-date=February 5, 2012 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Martin ran for 30 yards on his first carry and finished with 102 yards for the day.<ref name="Game log"/><ref name="HOF profile">{{cite web|title=Curtis Martin |url=http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PLAYER_ID=299 |publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609153240/http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PLAYER_ID=299 |archive-date=June 9, 2012 |access-date=February 5, 2012 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> He became the first Patriots rookie to rush for 100 yards during their debut.<ref name="HOF profile"/> Martin continued his impressive streak and rushed for over 100 yards eight more times during the season. He finished the season as the AFC's leading rusher with 1,487 yards and 14 touchdowns.<ref name="HOF profile"/> He won the [[NFL Rookie of the Year Award|Offensive Rookie of the Year Award]] and was named to the [[Pro Bowl]].<ref name="HOF profile"/>

The [[1996 NFL season|following year]], Martin only rushed for 100 yards twice during the season but recorded 1,152 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns.<ref name="Game log"/> In the playoffs, Martin, playing in his first career playoff game, served as a key player in the Patriots' Divisional Playoff victory over the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]. He rushed for a then franchise-record 166 yards and three touchdowns including a 78-yard touchdown, the second-longest touchdown run in playoff history at the time.<ref>{{cite news|title=It's Open House for Patriots and Martin|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/08/sports/it-s-open-house-for-patriots-and-martin.html?scp=6&sq=Curtis+Martin&st=nyt|work=The New York Times|author=Eskenazi, Gerald|date=January 8, 1997|access-date=September 14, 2012}}</ref> The Patriots went on to play in [[Super Bowl XXXI]], but lost to the [[Green Bay Packers]]. Martin rushed for 42 yards, caught three passes for 28 yards, and scored a touchdown in the game. It was at this game that a young Adrian Peterson fell in love with his hero Curtis Martin and vowed to wear the number 28 in his honor.<ref name="Game log"/> Martin was again named to the Pro Bowl.<ref name="PFR">{{cite web|title=Curtis Martin |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MartCu00.htm?redir |publisher=Pro Football Reference |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728212712/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MartCu00.htm?redir |archive-date=July 28, 2012 |access-date=February 4, 2012 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>