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‘He Looked Out For Me’: Former Steelers OL Emerson Martin Recalls How Donnie Shell Landed Him In Pittsburgh

As an undrafted free agent in the 1994 NFL Draft out of Hampton University, former NFL offensive lineman Emerson Martin found himself on the practice squad of the Kansas City Chiefs and appeared destined to bounce around on practice squads for the rest of his career.

That then included a move back to his hometown Carolina Panthers for the 1995 season. Things changed in the blink of an eye around Week Eight of that season with the expansion Panthers, who were 1-5 at that point.

After playing in two games for the Panthers that season, starting one game, Martin was released before Week Eight, putting his NFL career in jeopardy.