By Michael Tomberlin
The sport of football has taken Willie Carl Martin to places all around the world. However, the former college and pro standout still calls Alexander City home.
Born and raised in Alexander City, Martin graduated from Laurel High School in 1969, just as integration was bringing about the merger of Alabama’s white and black high school athletic associations. He was one of three black players chosen for the 1969 North-South All-Star game, the first minorities to receive that honor. He would later return Alexander City as head coach and led Benjamin Russell High School to its only state football title.
Martin will be enshrined as a member of the Class of 2019 into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame March 18 in Montgomery. The AHSAA and AHSADCA founded the Hall of Fame in 1991.
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