Sam Joseph Martin (born February 27, 1990) is an American football punter for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Appalachian State, and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL draft.[1]
Martin was lettered for soccer for four years and also received all-state recognition in his junior season at Starr's Mill High School.[2]
In his senior season, he was selected to the Associated Press All-America First team.[2] He also was named to the first-team All-America by College Sports Journal and third-team all-America by The Sports Network in his senior season.[2]
Martin was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL draft.
In Week 12 of the 2015 season, Martin was awarded as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for four punts totaling 181 yards and only three punt return yards.[4]
Martin signed a four-year contract extension with the Lions on September 9, 2016.[5] At the conclusion of the 2016 NFL season, Martin was named as an alternate for the 2017 Pro Bowl, but did not participate in the game.[6]
On September 2, 2017, Martin was placed on the non-football injury list after suffering an ankle injury during the offseason.[7][8] He was activated to the active roster on October 28, 2017, for the team's Week 8 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.[9]
On March 30, 2020, Martin signed a three year, $7.05 million deal with the Denver Broncos.[10]
Martin was released by the Broncos on August 29, 2022, after he refused to take a pay cut.[11]
On August 31, 2022, Martin signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills.[12] He signed a three-year, $7.5 million contract extension on March 13, 2023.[13]
