Dallas Cowboys Legend Zack Martin Retires

Zack Martin has been a pillar of success and hard work throughout his career with the Dallas Cowboys.

He decided after an injury-riddled 2024 season to hang up his cleats.

This man gave his career to one organization and the community in Dallas.

Around the Dallas Cowboys nation, no one can say a bad thing about this man, which exemplifies the type of career he had in Dallas.

Zack Martin’s Career

The Dallas Cowboys drafted Zack Martin in the 2104 NFL Draft with the 16th pick.

He played collegiately at Notre Dame before being drafted and had a stellar career as a Fighting Irish.

He would go on to play 11 seasons in the NFL with his one and only team, the Dallas Cowboys.

Zack Martin’s Accolades

During his time in Dallas, he was an Iron Man of sorts, missing only 11 games in his 11 seasons. This is one of many hallmarks Zack Martin had in his career.

Along with only missing 11 games, he only gave up 19.75 sacks in 11 years.

In those 11 years in the league, he was an All-Pro in every healthy season he had:

Nine healthy seasons

Seven First-Team All-Pros

Two Second-Team All-Pros

He also has only seven holding penalties in his career and only eight false starts called against him in 11 seasons.

This man was a model of consistency, the elder statesman on the offensive line, and a leader by example for all the young offensive players who have come through Dallas.

To sum up his career, here is a list of every accolade Zack Martin acquired throughout college and the NFL:

7x First-Team All-Pro (2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)

2x Second-Team All-Pro (2015, 2017)

9x Pro-Bowler (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)

All-Rookie Team (2014)

NFL’s 2010 All-Decade Team

2nd Team All-American (2012)

2013 Pinstripe Bowl MVP (2013)

Zack Martin’s Final Season

In his final season as a Dallas Cowboy, Zack Martin did not go out the way he wanted to, but injuries finally caught up to this warrior.

Martin battled shoulder and ankle injuries the entire season. In December 2024, he decided to have season-ending ankle surgery.

This surgery would mean the end of his long and fruitful career.

Here is what Mike McCarthy had to say about Zack Martin after he decided to have the needed surgery on his ankle:

Clearly a Hall of Famer, not only for the way he plays but just first class,” McCarthy said. “He just commands a lot of respect. Same person, personality every single day. Hard working. True team guy. Puts the team first. He’s been a joy to work with and I can’t say enough great things about him.”

Zack Martin will be missed on the offensive line, but more importantly, he will be missed by the many fans who could turn on a Dallas Cowboys football game and be assured Zack Martin would be battling in the trenches.

Hats off to a man who gave everything he had to one franchise and decided to hang up his shoulder pads after 11 seasons.

Good luck to you, Zack Martin, on whatever road you decide to take in retirement. I know you will be missed.