Football Spotlight on TieNeal Martin

Spotlight on Senior TieNeal Martin
#7 TieNeal Martin • 6-1 • 203 • Senior • Safety

What I like most about football…
I like the brotherhood. I like spending time with my teammates and being able to play the game that we love. I also like competing – that's been something that's been a part of me since I was younger. I love to compete.

The favorite thing about my hometown…
My favorite thing about my hometown is it's where my family is from. There is great people and great food in Sacramento, and there's a lot of things to do there. The majority of my family is there so Sacramento will always be home to me.

Why I wear number 7…
I'd worn every other single digit number since growing up from Pop Warner through High School, except for No. 7 when I came here. It was the only single digit number from 1 thru 9 that I hadn't worn. That's why I got it. I wore 28 my first year but entering the 2019 season that number was open, so I asked to change to No. 7.

My role models outside of sports …
My dad, O'Neal, and my mom, Tieyekia. My mom and dad have always done things the right way. They've taught me to respect others and to treat others how you want to be treated. They told me that anything I do, do it the right way. Do it 100 percent. They have put me in a position to succeed. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them.

What sports I played in high school …
I played football, basketball, ran track and played a little baseball in high school. I played baseball only my sophomore and junior years and ran track my sophomore and junior years as well. I played football and basketball all four years. In my first two years in high school, I played defensive end and running back, but then once I moved to varsity I played safety and running back.

I knew I wanted to play college football …
When I was about 12-13 years old, I had a couple older cousins that were in the same situations that I found myself in. I was fortunate enough to watch them grow up and see them do it and seeing what my drive was with football I knew that I wanted to follow in their footsteps. Once I got to high school I knew I wanted to play Division I sports. I knew that I had the skills to be successful on the field, I just needed to put it together in the classroom.

My cousin …
One of my cousins that I look up to is actually in the NFL now. Shak Thompson went to the University of Washington and he played linebacker with the Carolina Panthers.

My first name is unique …
My name is a combination of my mom and dad's names. Tie from my mom, Tieyekia, and Neal from my dad O'Neal. My God mom, Ceola, actually came up with it. They were in the hospital before my birth discussing names, and she just threw that name 'TieNeal' out there and that's what it ended up being.

Why the Minnesota Viking is my favorite NFL team …
The Minnesota Vikings is my favorite NFL team because of Adrian Peterson. I was a big Adrian Peterson fan growing up. I played running back in high school, so I was a big AP fan and when he was drafted by the Vikings, I decided to be a Minnesota Vikings fan. Once he left the team I wasn't going to leave them, but Adrian Peterson is the reason why I became a Viking fan.

My favorite moment at TU:
It's this year. This season is my favorite moment.

My Hobbies…
I love to fish. My dad has a bass boat. We'll go almost every weekend that we can when I'm home. I've been fishing all my life, starting when my grandma and grandpa used to take me when I was younger. Fishing is my second love. My dad and I would wake up a 6 am, go fishing and be there until about 5 pm. Fishing is really relaxing to me. It's like my safe haven. I can relax and enjoy myself.

My twitter handle…
Neal_2steezy

Hashtags that best describe him…
#determined … #humble & hungry … #relentless

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