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The Ultimate Guide To Mike Martin: Bengals Legend

Trends January 13, 2025

Who was Mike Martin in relation to the Cincinnati Bengals?

Mike Martin was a former American football player who played as a linebacker for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Michigan, and was drafted by the Bengals in the first round of the 1980 NFL Draft.

Martin was a key member of the Bengals' "Killer B's" defense in the 1980s, which also included fellow linebackers Reggie Williams and Jim LeClair. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1980s.

| Personal details | | --- | --- ||Full name: | Michael Anthony Martin || Born: | September 27, 1957 (age 64) || Birth Place | Warren, Ohio || Nationality: | American || Playing Position: | Linebacker || Years Active: |19771989 || College: |University of Michigan || Drafted: | 1st round (16th overall) of the 1980 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals|| Awards: | 2 Pro Bowl (1981, 1982) | NFL All-Decade Team of the 1980s |

Martin retired from the NFL after the 1989 season. He was inducted into the Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor in 2001.

Mike Martin, Cincinnati Bengals

Mike Martin was a standout linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1980s. He was a key member of the Bengals' "Killer B's" defense, which also included fellow linebackers Reggie Williams and Jim LeClair. Martin was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1980s.

Linebacker
12 seasons
2 Pro Bowls
NFL All-Decade Team
Killer B's
1980 NFL Draft
Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor

Martin was a fierce tackler and a sure hitter. He was also a vocal leader on the Bengals' defense. He was a key part of the Bengals' success in the 1980s, helping the team to four AFC Championship Games and two Super Bowl appearances.

Martin retired from the NFL after the 1989 season. He was inducted into the Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor in 2001.

1. Linebacker

A linebacker is a position in American football played by a defensive player who lines up behind the defensive line and in front of the secondary. Linebackers are responsible for stopping the run and defending against short passing routes.

Mike Martin was a linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1980 to 1989. He was a key member of the Bengals' "Killer B's" defense, which also included fellow linebackers Reggie Williams and Jim LeClair. Martin was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1980s.

Linebackers are an important part of any football team. They are responsible for stopping the run and defending against short passing routes. Mike Martin was one of the best linebackers in the NFL during the 1980s. He was a key member of the Bengals' "Killer B's" defense and helped the team to achieve great success.

2. 12 seasons

Mike Martin played 12 seasons in the NFL, all with the Cincinnati Bengals. He was a key member of the Bengals' "Killer B's" defense, which also included fellow linebackers Reggie Williams and Jim LeClair. Martin was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1980s.

Regular season
Martin played in 160 regular season games during his 12 seasons with the Bengals. He recorded 1,058 tackles, 22 sacks, and 13 interceptions.
Postseason
Martin played in 15 playoff games during his 12 seasons with the Bengals. He recorded 102 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions.
Awards and honors
Martin was a two-time Pro Bowl selection (1981, 1982) and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1980s.
Legacy
Martin is considered one of the best linebackers in Bengals history. He was inducted into the Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor in 2001.

Martin's 12 seasons with the Bengals were a period of great success for the franchise. The Bengals won four AFC Championships and appeared in two Super Bowls during that time. Martin was a key member of the Bengals' defense and helped the team to achieve great success.

3. 2 Pro Bowls

Mike Martin was selected to the Pro Bowl twice during his 12-year NFL career, both times as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals. The Pro Bowl is an annual all-star game that showcases the best players in the NFL. Martin's two Pro Bowl selections are a testament to his exceptional talent and his status as one of the top linebackers in the league during the 1980s.

Recognition of excellence
Being selected to the Pro Bowl is a major honor for any NFL player. It is a recognition of their outstanding performance and their status as one of the best players in the league. Martin's two Pro Bowl selections are a testament to his exceptional talent and his status as one of the top linebackers in the NFL during the 1980s.
Key member of the Bengals' success
Martin was a key member of the Bengals' "Killer B's" defense, which also included fellow linebackers Reggie Williams and Jim LeClair. The Bengals' defense was one of the best in the NFL during the 1980s, and Martin's contributions were a major factor in their success. He was a fierce tackler and a sure hitter, and he was also a vocal leader on the defense.
Legacy as a Bengals great
Martin is considered one of the best linebackers in Bengals history. He was inducted into the Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor in 2001, and his number 55 is retired by the team. Martin's two Pro Bowl selections are a testament to his exceptional talent and his status as one of the top Bengals players of all time.

Mike Martin's two Pro Bowl selections are a testament to his exceptional talent and his status as one of the top linebackers in the NFL during the 1980s. He was a key member of the Bengals' "Killer B's" defense, and he helped the team to achieve great success. Martin is considered one of the best linebackers in Bengals history, and his two Pro Bowl selections are a testament to his legacy as a Bengals great.

4. NFL All-Decade Team

The NFL All-Decade Team is a team composed of the best players at each position from a given decade in the NFL. The team is selected by a panel of experts, and is considered to be a prestigious honor for any player. Mike Martin was named to the NFL All-Decade Team of the 1980s, which is a testament to his exceptional talent and his status as one of the top linebackers in the NFL during that decade.

Recognition of excellence
Being named to the NFL All-Decade Team is a major honor for any NFL player. It is a recognition of their outstanding performance and their status as one of the best players in the league. Martin's selection to the NFL All-Decade Team of the 1980s is a testament to his exceptional talent and his status as one of the top linebackers in the NFL during that decade.
Key member of the Bengals' success
Martin was a key member of the Bengals' "Killer B's" defense, which also included fellow linebackers Reggie Williams and Jim LeClair. The Bengals' defense was one of the best in the NFL during the 1980s, and Martin's contributions were a major factor in their success. He was a fierce tackler and a sure hitter, and he was also a vocal leader on the defense.
Legacy as a Bengals great
Martin is considered one of the best linebackers in Bengals history. He was inducted into the Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor in 2001, and his number 55 is retired by the team. Martin's selection to the NFL All-Decade Team of the 1980s is a testament to his exceptional talent and his status as one of the top Bengals players of all time.

Mike Martin's selection to the NFL All-Decade Team of the 1980s is a testament to his exceptional talent and his status as one of the top linebackers in the NFL during that decade. He was a key member of the Bengals' "Killer B's" defense, and he helped the team to achieve great success. Martin is considered one of the best linebackers in Bengals history, and his selection to the NFL All-Decade Team is a testament to his legacy as a Bengals great.

5. Killer B's

The "Killer B's" were a nickname given to the Cincinnati Bengals' linebackers in the 1980s. The nickname was coined by Paul Brown, the Bengals' founder and head coach, and it referred to the three starting linebackers: Jim LeClair, Reggie Williams, and Mike Martin.

Leadership and Experience
The Killer B's were all experienced and talented players. LeClair was a nine-year veteran, Williams was a seven-year veteran, and Martin was a rookie. All three players were leaders on the defense, and they helped to set the tone for the team.
Physicality and Aggression
The Killer B's were known for their physicality and aggression. They were all big, strong players who played with a mean streak. They were not afraid to hit hard, and they were always willing to put their bodies on the line.
Versatility and Athleticism
The Killer B's were all versatile and athletic players. They could all play multiple positions, and they were all good tacklers and pass rushers. Their versatility and athleticism made them a nightmare for opposing offenses.
Chemistry and Teamwork
The Killer B's had great chemistry and teamwork. They played together for several years, and they developed a deep understanding of each other's strengths and weaknesses. They were always able to count on each other, and they always had each other's backs.

The Killer B's were one of the best linebacking corps in the NFL in the 1980s. They were a key part of the Bengals' success during that era, and they helped the team to reach two Super Bowls. Mike Martin was a key member of the Killer B's, and he played a major role in the Bengals' success.

6. 1980 NFL Draft

The 1980 NFL Draft is significant in the context of "mike martin cincinnati bengals" because it was the year that the Cincinnati Bengals selected Mike Martin with the 16th overall pick. Martin would go on to become a key member of the Bengals' "Killer B's" defense, which helped lead the team to two Super Bowl appearances.

First Round Selection
Mike Martin was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 1980 NFL Draft. This selection was a significant investment by the Bengals, and it showed that they believed in Martin's potential.
Immediate Impact
Martin made an immediate impact for the Bengals, starting 15 games as a rookie. He recorded 119 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 interceptions in his first season. Martin's performance earned him a spot on the NFL All-Rookie Team.
Key Member of the "Killer B's"
Martin became a key member of the Bengals' "Killer B's" defense, which also included fellow linebackers Jim LeClair and Reggie Williams. The "Killer B's" were one of the most feared defenses in the NFL during the 1980s, and Martin was a big part of their success.
Super Bowl Appearances
The Bengals reached two Super Bowls with Martin on the team, in 1981 and 1988. While the Bengals lost both Super Bowls, Martin's contributions on defense were a major reason why the team was able to reach the NFL's biggest game.

The 1980 NFL Draft was a significant event in the history of the Cincinnati Bengals and the career of Mike Martin. Martin's selection by the Bengals was a key moment in the development of the team's "Killer B's" defense, and he went on to become one of the best linebackers in Bengals history.

7. Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor

The Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor is the team's hall of fame, honoring former players, coaches, and other individuals who have made significant contributions to the Bengals franchise. Mike Martin is a member of the Bengals Ring of Honor, having been inducted in 2001.

Recognition of Excellence
The Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor is the highest honor that the team can bestow upon a former player, coach, or other individual. Inductees are selected based on their outstanding contributions to the Bengals franchise, both on and off the field.
Mike Martin's Contributions
Mike Martin was a key member of the Bengals' "Killer B's" defense in the 1980s. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1980s. Martin's contributions to the Bengals were significant, and he is considered one of the best linebackers in Bengals history.
Legacy and Impact
Mike Martin's induction into the Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor is a testament to his legacy and impact on the Bengals franchise. He is an inspiration to current and future Bengals players, and his contributions to the team will never be forgotten.

The Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor is a prestigious honor, and Mike Martin is a deserving member. His induction is a testament to his outstanding contributions to the Bengals franchise, both on and off the field.

FAQs on "Mike Martin Cincinnati Bengals"

This section answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Mike Martin and his time with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Question 1: What position did Mike Martin play for the Bengals?

Mike Martin played the linebacker position for the Bengals.

Question 2: When was Mike Martin drafted by the Bengals?

Mike Martin was drafted by the Bengals in the first round (16th overall) of the 1980 NFL Draft.

Question 3: What was the nickname of the Bengals' linebacking corps that Mike Martin was a part of?

The nickname of the Bengals' linebacking corps that Mike Martin was a part of was the "Killer B's".

Question 4: How many Pro Bowls was Mike Martin selected to?

Mike Martin was selected to two Pro Bowls during his career, in 1981 and 1982.

Question 5: Is Mike Martin a member of the Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor?

Yes, Mike Martin is a member of the Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor. He was inducted in 2001.

These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about Mike Martin and his time with the Cincinnati Bengals. For more information, please consult the provided references or conduct your own research.

Transition to the next article section:

The following section will provide a more in-depth look at Mike Martin's career and his impact on the Cincinnati Bengals franchise.

Conclusion

Mike Martin was a key member of the Cincinnati Bengals' "Killer B's" defense in the 1980s. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1980s. Martin was a fierce tackler and a sure hitter, and he was also a vocal leader on the defense. He was a key part of the Bengals' success in the 1980s, helping the team to four AFC Championship Games and two Super Bowl appearances.

Martin's legacy as a Bengal is secure. He is a member of the Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor, and his number 55 is retired by the team. Martin is considered one of the best linebackers in Bengals history, and his contributions to the team will never be forgotten.