Marty Lyons Biography

Martin (Marty) Anthony Lyons  Born on January 15, 1957, in Takoma Park, Maryland  Grew up in Pinellas Park, Florida  Attended St. Petersburg Catholic High School  Attended and played football at the University of Alabama  Played professional football in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Jets  Founded The Marty Lyons Foundation in 1982  Joined The LandTek Group in 2000  Joined ESPN Radio in 2002

 

College Football Career

Mr. Lyons’ football experience matured under the guidance of the late Paul “Bear” Bryant at the University of Alabama where he was recognized as an All-American in 1978. His peers elected him captain of the NCAA Division 1 National Champion football team that same year.

He was a key player in the set of 4th quarter plays known as "The Goal Line Stand" in the 1979 Sugar Bowl. It was Lyons that delivered what would become a famous line amongst Alabama fans just before the 4th down play of the sequence. When asked by Penn State quarterback Chuck Fusina how far the ball was from the goal line, Lyons replied, "Bout a foot. You better pass.” Alabama was 31-5 during his years as a player.

 

In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Mr. Lyons was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2011, on his first time appearance on the ballot. He joins an elite group where less than 1% (.0002) achieves such distinction. He expressed his appreciation of this ultimate accolade, "It's an honor for me to represent the University, my teammates and the fans. You go throughout life and you realize you never stand alone. You accomplish everything with the people that stand around you, the people that have vision for you when you don't have the determination to try to find the fight. I also have to thank God for giving me the ability to play. When times were tough you always found the strength. I represent my teammates because they made me a better player. I represent Coach (Paul) Bryant and his coaching staff because they gave me vision. And more importantly I represent the fans of the University of Alabama for that rich tradition.”

 

Mr. Lyons is a featured athlete in Bear's Boys: Thirty-Six Men Whose Lives Were Changed by Coach Paul Bryant by Eli Gold. Bear's Boys is a collection of inspiring stories featuring 40 men whose lives were altered by their encounter with the legendary coach while they were players and coaches at Alabama. The stories of star players such as Joe Namath, Ken Stabler, Marty Lyons, Bob Baumhower, Cornelius Bennett, and Gene Stallings show how the Coach forever changed them as young men and ball players on the field and later in life after football. Marty was also featured in Legends of Alabama Football by Richard Scott in 2004. With 12 national championships, 19 players and coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame, and a tradition of national achievement that dates back to the 1920s, the University of Alabama has secured its spot as one of the most successful athletic institutions in the history of American sports. Dating back to the days when university president Dr. George H. “Mike” Denny decided football would be the university’s ticket to national prominence; Alabama has produced some of the most legendary teams and players in the history of the game. Legends of Alabama Football chronicles the coaches, players, and events that placed Crimson Tide football on the national sports landscape. Mr. Lyons was in the 2-page feature story on The ‘bama Defense by Lars Anderson in the July 13, 2009 Double Issue of Sports Illustrated 10th Annual Where are They Now. He also made a special guest appearance on the CBS College Sports Network SEC Tailgate Show on November 8, 2009 for the Alabama vs. LSU game. On October 13, 2013, Marty Lyons was inducted to the New York Jets Ring of Honor at the game’s halftime against the Pittsburgh Steelers. On December 10, 2016 in one of his proudest moments, Marty Lyons fulfilled a life-long promise to Coach Bryant when he graduated from the University of Alabama.

 

Mr. Lyons’ college football career was a blend of both on-the-field and off-the-field accomplishments:

 1978, National Champion

 1978, Team Captain

 1978, Consensus 1st Team All-American

 1978, SEC Defensive Player of the Year

 1978, Alabama Defensive Player of the Year

 1978, Outstanding Defensive Lineman in the Nation

 Defensive Player of the Decade – 1970s

 Election to the Alabama Team of the Century

 2006, Sports Illustrated All-Time Alabama Team

 2011, Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (National Football Foundation)

 2013, SEC Living Legend Award

 2016, Graduated from the University of Alabama (Bachelor of Science)

 2017, Paul W. Bryant Alumni-Athlete Award

 

Professional Football Career

Mr. Lyons’ athletic skill propelled him to be a first round draft pick by the New York Jets in the 1979 National Football League Draft. His entire professional football career spanned twelve (12) years all with the Jets, during which time he played both defensive tackle and defensive end. He played a key role in the formation of the “New York Sack Exchange.” Together with teammates Joe Klecko, Mark Gastineau and Abdul Salaam, Lyons helped lead the 1981 Jets to a franchise-record 66 sacks and the team’s first playoff appearance since 1969. The “New York Sack Exchange” led the NFL in sacks for three of four seasons (1981, ‘83, and ‘84). The Jets made the playoffs 4 times during Mr. Lyons career.

Mr. Lyons finished his NFL career with 43 sacks for the Jets (1979-89), playing in 147 games, a record for a Jets’ defensive lineman. His performance on the field led to his selection as a Pro Bowl alternate in 1982 and 1983. Experience and leadership enabled him to serve as a defensive team captains in 1988.

 

Mr. Lyons’ professional football career was a blend of both on-the-field and off-the-field accomplishments:

 1979, 1st Round Draft Choice of the New York Jets (14th Overall Pick)

 1981-84, Member of the famed “New York Sack Exchange”

 1982, Pro-Bowl Alternate

 1983, Pro-Bowl Alternate

 1984, National Football League “Man of the Year”

 1991, Retired after 12 seasons

 2002-Present, Marty enters his 20th season as the New York Jets Radio Network Analyst for ESPN Radio New York 98.7 FM.

 2003, Elected to the All-Time New York Jets Four Decade Team

 2013, Inducted into the Jets Ring of Honor

 2019, Elected to the All-Time New York Jets Team

 

Philanthropic Endeavors

While a formidable force on the field, Mr. Lyons made significant contributions off-the-field as well with his extensive charitable work. For his commitment to the community, he was named NFL Man of the Year in 1984. As a tribute to his longstanding charitable commitment, the New York Jets annually present the Marty Lyons Award to the player who gives the most back to his community as selected by the Jets staff. He was the first recipient of this award in 1990. He continues to receive many accolades for his indefatigable charitable work with the most recent, the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Long Island Business News.

 

In 1982, Mr. Lyons realized that there was more to life than football. According to Mr. Lyons, "In March 1982, three events altered my life. In the period of one week, my first son, Rocky, was born; my father, Leo, passed away suddenly; and Keith, a little boy to whom I was a Big Brother, passed away from leukemia.” Imagine being on top of the world, and in the period of six days you are forced to see the frailty, unfairness, and the wonder of life. I decided to use my name and my God-given talent to make a difference in the lives of terminally ill children." With the encouragement and assistance of family and friends, he was determined to establish a Foundation dedicated to helping children find the courage and strength to fight their illnesses. His idea was that through the granting of a wish, he'd foster hope and inspiration in a child by making possible what had been perceived as impossible. He founded The Marty Lyons Foundation (MLF) and over the past 40 years this organization’s mission has been to grant special wishes for children ages 3-17 years old diagnosed with a terminal or life threatening illness. They have granted well over 8,000 wishes, raised over $36,000,000 and have never strayed from its commitment to helping those in need. The Foundation has grown to include 10 chapters covering the following 13 states: Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. Did you know…92% of all funds raised by the MLF go directly towards Program Services (granting wishes).

 

Current Professional Career

Mr. Lyons joined The LandTek Group as the Director of Sales & Marketing in 2000, was appointed Senior Vice President of Operations in 2007 and was later promoted to his current role as Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations. Mr. Lyons is a key member of LandTek’s management team responsible for the company’s continued growth and success.

 

He has enjoyed a long successful career in the worlds of sports, business and philanthropy and has successfully merged his renowned sports and business savvy to greatly contribute to the company’s growth as one of the premier athletic turf and facility installation companies in the country.

 

Professional Achievements and Accomplishments

Inducted into the Following Hall of Fames:

 1993, Walk of Fame, St. Petersburg, FL

 2000, State of Alabama Sports Hall of Fame

 2001, Long Island Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame, New York

 2001, Dowling College Sports Hall of Fame, New York

 2002, Long Island Nassau County Sports Hall of Fame, New York

 2004, Maryland Sports Hall of Fame

 2007, Tampa Bay Sports Club Hall of Fame

 2007, The Florida High School Athletic Association 100 Greatest Players of the First 100 Years

 2011, College Football Hall of Fame (National Football Foundation)

 2011, St. Petersburg Catholic High School Hall of Fame (Baseball)

 2017, All-Time Tampa Bay College Teams (First Team)

 

Professional Affiliations:

 1993-1995, President, RBSLI Consulting

 1995-1999, Financial Advisor, PaineWebber

 2000-2007, Director of Marketing and Sales, The LandTek Group, Inc.

 2007-2012, Senior Vice President, Operations, The LandTek Group, Inc.

 2012-Present, Vice President, Marketing and Public Relations, The LandTek Group, Inc.

 

Broadcasting Qualifications:

 1991, WPIX-TV, New York Jets Preseason Games

 1991-1995, Sports Channel-TV, Color Analyst

 1995-2001, MSG New York-TV/Fox Net-TV, Color Analyst

 1996-2003, MSG New York-TV Jets Journal Show, Co-Host

 1996-2019, MSG New York-TV, United Healthcare Empire Challenge High School Football All-Star Game, Color Analyst

 1998, Emmy Winner as Color Analyst for the annual United Healthcare Empire Challenge High School Football All-Star Game

 2000, CBS-TV Big Apple Sports Report/The NFL Recap on Sunday Night, Co-Host

 2000-2001, CBS-TV, New York Jets Preseason Games, Sideline Reporter

 2002, WABC-Sports Radio, New York Jets, Color Analyst

 2002-Present, ESPN Radio New York 98.7 FM, New York Jets Radio Network, Color Analyst

 

Acting Career:

 1981, Coast Deodorant Commercial

 1982, NFL United Way Commercial

 1983, Cast Member in the Invasion of the Body Snatchers (movie)

 2005, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (television show)

 2008-Present, Taco Casa Restaurant Commercial

 

Civic Activities/Awards:

 1982, Established The Marty Lyons Foundation, Inc.

 Man of the Decade, Westchester/Putnam County Knights of Columbus

 Gary Carter Award, Long Island Leukemia Society

 Good Neighbor Award, American Red Cross

 Person of the Year, Long Island Advertising Club

 Steve Reeves Award, New York Downtown Athletic Club

 Man of the Year, Long Island Jewish Hospital

 Life Time Achievement Award, United Way

 Long Island Public Relations Award

 Citizen of the Year, Sons of Italy

 Good Guy Award, New Jersey Sports Writer

 Ernie Davis Humanitarian Award

 III & Long Award, III & Long Foundation

 2000, Helping Hands Award, The NFL Alumni

 2004, City Hero Award, Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation

 2004, Man of the Year, Port Jefferson’s Irish American Society

 2005, Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award, Long Island Association

 2005, Local Hero, Bank of America Charitable Foundation

 2005, Long Island Volunteer Hall of Fame

 2006, Distinguished Humanitarian Award, Little Flower Children and Family Services

 2006, William “Buck” Lai Life Achievement Award, New York Institute of Technology

 2006, Man of the Year, The Catholic Education Fund

 2006, Marty Lyons Day, St. Petersburg, FL

 2006, Man of the Year, Smithtown Boosters

 2007, The Volunteer Center of United Way President’s Award Recipient

 2007, Hope House Ministries Honoree

 2007, Starlight Foundation Hall of Fame

 2007, LI Arthritis Foundation’s Regina A. Quick Humanitarian Award

 2008, Carry the Torch Award, Suffolk County Conservative Chairman’s Club

 2008, Humanitarian Spirit Award, Advancement for Commerce, Industry and Technology

 2008, Barbara Harmon “Unsung Hero” Award, Windows of Opportunity

 2008, Patriot Award, Seaford High School

 2008, Long Island Spirit Award, Long Island Association (LIA)

 2008, Distinguished Citizen Award, Boy Scout of America, Suffolk Council

 2009, Honoree, NYPD “Finest” & FDNY “Bravest” Football Teams 37th Annual Fun City Bowl

 2009, Honoree, New York Jets 50th Anniversary Season 9th Annual Kick-off Luncheon

 2010, Honoree, Nassau County Republican Party Dinner2011, The Carol Cris Community Service Award, Independence Party of Brookhaven Town

 2011, Honoree, The D’Brickashaw Ferguson Foundation

 2011, Heisman Humanitarian Award, Heisman Trophy Trust

 2012, David Awards, Networking Magazine

 2012, Jefferson Award Recipient

 2012, Honoree, IGHL Foundation

 2012, The James Keller Award, The Christophers

 2016, The Dennis Bligen Kidney Foundation, Dr. Kenneth N. Shelton Humanitarian Award

 2016, Honoree, The Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education

 2016, City College of New York – NYC Sports Legend Award

 2017, Honoree, Long Island Business News’ ICON Award

 2019, Firefighters Charitable Foundation – President’s Award

 2020, Lifetime Achievement Award, Long Island Business News

 

Motivational Speaker:

Mr. Lyons has successfully conducted speaking engagements within the world of sports and business with entities like Adelphi University, Bank of America, Bank of New York Mellon, Capital One Bank, Coca-Cola, Coldwell Banker, Comsewogue High School, Continental Airlines, Davis Vision, Entenmann's George Weston Bakeries, Ernst & Young, Food Industry Alliance of New York State, Hartford Group, ING, J. Kings Food Service, J.P. Morgan Chase, JetBlue Airways, Long Island Association, Long Island Business News, Long Island Catholic Men’s Retreat, Magna Legal Services, Merrill Lynch, MetLife, Morris County (NJ) Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey Society of CPA, New York Jets, P.C. Richard and Son, PepsiCo, Smithtown High School West; Smithtown Library Foundation, Society of HR Management of Long Island, UPS, United Way and Washington Mutual.