Background
Vernon Martin was born in Amarillo on May 2, 1920.
Vernon Martin was born in Amarillo on May 2, 1920.
He was the starting quarterback for the University of Texas in 1941, leading them to the school"s first ever #1 ranking and the cover of the November 17, 1941 Life Magazine. He was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1942 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers and played one year of professional football. He played football at Amarillo High School and was a part of the Sanies 1936 undefeated State Championship team
He also was on the basketball team
Martin started college at the University of Texas in 1938 playing on a freshman team that went 2-1. He was a starter at the beginning of the 1939 season, but was badly injured in the second game of the year against Wisconsin.
He suffered an internal injury, and was rushed to the infirmary. He spent 10 days in the hospital and missed the rest of the season.
Martin recovered and was the starting quarterback, also known as the blocking back at the time, of the Texas Longhorns in 1940 and 1941.
The Longhorns came into 1941 a highly regarded team, and it was perhaps the most impactful squad in the history of the program Pete Layden was the fullback, who in the offense of the time did most of the passing and ball-handling, but Martin called most of the plays. They immediately suffered a 7-7 tie to Baylor and a 14-7 loss to Texas Christian University, mostly due to four injured starters, to drop to #10 before again upsetting Texas Agricultural and Mechanical who was again ranked #2 at the time.
They finished the season with a 71-7 drumming of Oregon and at the end of the game, Martin caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Layden for Martin"s only touchdown of the year.
Texas finished the season ranked #4, the first time Texas ever finished the season ranked, and Martin was named second team All-Conference. Martin also made Wirt Gammon"s All-American Blockers team that year.
The 1941 Longhorns were considered the greatest Texas team ever at the time. Following the season, Martin was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2nd round of the 1942 NFL Draft.
He played blocking back for the Steelers in 1942, catching several passes and scoring two touchdowns.
He later joined the United States Army Air Forces during World World War II and become a Flight Officer stationed in Shamshernagar, India flying airlift missions over the Hump. In June 1945, the American Advertising Federation announced plans to form seven football teams and in August, Martin was selected to ship out to Berry Field in Nashville to play for the Air Transport Command Rockets that year. Playing in an all-service league, the Rockets went 2-3-2 and finished ranked #11 in the Williamson Service Rankings.
Martin died in 1949 in a car crash in Memphis.