The injury reserve is where NFL dreams go to dwindle. Don’t believe us? Just look at Derek Carr. After leading a remarkable career, he hung up his cleats because of his shoulder injury. There was no guarantee he’d be able to play at his best, so he chose to retire and end his career on a high note. A similar decision came from a Dallas Cowboys star this offseason. Although the signs were already there since last season, his walking away meant a devastating loss to Dak Prescott’s offense.

To say that Zack Martin had a remarkable career as an OL would be a big old understatement. He’s a leader in his own right, an unshakable rock that protected Dak Prescott from the moment Prescott joined Dallas. All the way through to 2024, when a season-ending injury sent him to the IR. As Martin retired, it reverberated through the entire Dallas roster. So naturally, when the time came to bid him goodbye, the whole crew showed up, including, obviously, Dak Prescott.

Dak Prescott and Sarah Jane, along with a big chunk of the Cowboys crew, showed up for Zack Martin. Martin’s wife, Morgan, threw a party this weekend honouring her husband’s remarkable career with the Dallas Cowboys. The whole gang put up stories of the night on their IG handles, including both Prescott and Sara Jane. A DJ, a live band, and dancing all night were the highlights for this party. Clearly, Morgan knows how to celebrate, and Dallas knows how to show up for their legend. Martin had hinted at a 2025 retirement long back, but still, his absence will be felt strongly as the team looks towards the new season.

Honoring Zack Martin, Dak Prescott had recently shared his thoughts. “Just another guy that you can’t replace, it’s going to take myself, a bunch of other guys and I’m not even talking about on the field, I’m just talking about the leadership and what he brings to the building. We’re going to have to step it up and fill that void.” As Prescott leads the Cowboys to the new season, the ‘void’ made by Martin will be up to Brock Hoffman to fill. Like he did when Martin went on injury reserve last season. But that will be a big shoe to fill. As Prescott had notably said, “Zack’s the best, hard to even fathom a locker room, a huddle without Zack Martin – You talk about a guy that doesn’t miss time, ultimate leader, doesn’t have to say much, but when he does, you’re all ears.”

Zack Martin hangs up his cleats as a nine-time Pro-Bowler. But he isn’t the sentimental type. He showed up for the Dallas crew with a big party, after all. As he said himself, he’s not that good at goodbyes. But while he “doesn’t say much,” when the time came, he did have a lot to say. He even wrote a heartfelt letter to the world when it was called for.

Zack Martin’s heartfelt goodbye to Dallas

“I recall some boos when my name got announced, I’m not gonna lie. I saw a couple shocked faces in the crowd. I was rewatching the clip the other day, and one lady looked like she just saw her dog get kidnapped. And I get it, man. A guard is not exactly the sexiest pick in the first round.” That’s the beginning of Zack Martin’s career with the Dallas Cowboys. Not resounding cheers, but boos and shock. If only that lady knew that in the coming years, Martin would go on to become the backbone of Dallas. Because that’s exactly what he did.

This little gesture of writing letters isn’t the first one in the Martin family. Ever since Zack Martin was a freshman, it was his father who started the tradition of writing letters before a game. As Martin said, “one day he wrote me a note on a piece of looseleaf paper, folded it up, and handed it to me at the breakfast table before school.” The impact of this gesture was clear on Martin. “I read the letter at my locker before the game, and I went out and played like I had my whole family pushing behind me for the hard yards.” And that tradition continued for every game since then.

As Martin walks away from the gridiron, his absence will be felt most by the fans. As Martin put it, “There were so many people who allowed me to grow and thrive in Dallas, but at the end of the day, it’s all meaningless without our fans.” He even recalled a particular fan who has stood out through his 11 years with Dallas. “One guy, a true diehard, comes every year, pops off his prosthetic leg, and has me sign it. I think I’ve signed that same leg literally 11 times, and it never got old.” Dallas is never going to be the same without their rock, but now, Zack Martin can look forward to a peaceful life with his family. Maybe we’ll even get to see him in some games, cheering the team on and shouting ideas at his teammates from the sidelines.