Tennessee to Honor Former Steelers QB Tee Martin with Statue in September

Former Steelers quarterback Tee Martin will be honored by the University of Tennessee with a statue at Neyland Stadium on September 2.

Drafted by Pittsburgh in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, Martin became the first black quarterback to lead an SEC team to a National Championship during the 1998 season, defeating Florida State 23-16 in the Fiesta Bowl. 

Martin threw for 2,164 yards and 19 touchdowns in 12 games, rushing for 287 yards and seven touchdowns to complete the Vols undefeated season. 

“I want to say thank you to the Tennessee athletic department–past and present– for this outstanding honor,” Martin told Tennessee athletics. “I want this status to represent those who came before me and opened doors for me at the University of Tennessee–Lester McClain and Condredge Holloway, to name a few.”

Martin’s honor is part of a larger initiative by Tennessee honoring three other players–McClain, Holloway, and Jackie Walker– in “honoring our trailblazers in racial equity.”

He currently serves as the team’s assistant head coach, passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. 

𝐓𝐞𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧.

Quarterback | Mobile, Alabama

The first Black quarterback to lead an SEC team to a National Championship. pic.twitter.com/hpRrA9qX4K

— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) August 13, 2021