“It’s what I love. But the time has come for my football journey to reach its end,” Zack Martin cleared his throat while talking about his retirement decision. For 11 long years, he served the Dallas Cowboys. The guard was an immortal part of ‘Wall of Dallas” with Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick. His crucial performance on the gridiron earned him several accolades, including 9 Pro Bowl selections. But as former QB Steve Young once remarked, “It’s (retirement) a death, and you have to go through all processes of death.” But the guard will be happy that he gave his all.

While everyone was getting emotional about his decision to hand up his cleats, former Cowboys QB and broadcaster Tony Romo gave a historical message. He played with Martin from 2014 to 2016, when the franchise drafted the guard 16th overall in the first round. Romo has seen him grow and said, “I think Zack Martin and Larry Allen are the two best guards in the history of the NFL. What makes (Martin) rare is he doesn’t have a weakness. And almost every player has some weakness. Zack was as good as anyone, I think, who has ever played the game.”

Zack Martin and Larry Allen had similar careers. While 6 feet 4 inches and 315 pounds (Martin) was a beast, 6 feet 3 inches and 325 pounds (Allen) was a monster. The late great once bench-pressed 700 pounds, showing his brute strength. Even Martin was a fan of the late great. But Allen was also different from the guard.

Allen played almost all positions in the offensive line, from the guard to the tackle. But he was selected in the second round (46th overall) and also moved to the 49ers when the Cowboys released him in 2006, where he played two more seasons. In 14 years of his NFL career, the great collected 11 Pro Bowl selections. He was a part of NFL teams for decades (1990s and 2000s). That’s great. Even the owner called them similar and said, “You guys are twins.”

However, Jerry Jones paid homage to Larry Allen by signing him for one day so that he could name him in the Cowboys Ring of Honor. It would happen with the retired guard as well.

Jerry Jones gives tremendous news for Zack Martin

When the guard’s 2024 season ended with an ankle injury, there were serious doubts about his comeback. He also took his time to decide. But when he couldn’t work his way around it, the guard hung his boots. Jerry Jones sat on one side. He was also emotional as everyone asked if the guard would be inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor.

However, Jones sent waves of happiness in the Cowboys fanbase by announcing, “Yes.” The fans lauded the decision, citing it as a righteous tribute to the veteran guard. The former iron started the rivals with his power in 179 NFL games. He was a regular in the playoffs as well, playing 17 games.

However, this definitely increases the headache of the new HC, Brian Schottenheimer. But for now, it’s an emotional scene. Zack Martin raised it several notches by adding, “It was an absolute privilege to run out of the tunnel every Sunday and give this city everything I had.” In return, the game gave him love, money, fame, and everything else he desired. For now, it’s time to figure out the next part of his life. What to do after football? The fans are crazily waiting!