Cougars’ Brit provides wit

PULLMAN — One doesn’t necessarily think of a librarian and a teacher in England producing Division I-A football players. But that’s what happened with Washington State University junior wide receiver Marty Martin, who was born in Cirencester, England, before moving stateside as a child.

Martin has five catches in his first two seasons on the field with WSU, but will play a big role for the Cougars this year as a starting slot receiver. He’ll also return punts for the first time in his collegiate career.

Still, the graduate of Puyallup High has a couple of worldly traits one might find on the banks of the Thames more easily than the hills of the Palouse.

Martin took a break from preparing for tonight’s season opener at New Mexico to chat about that other fall sport among other things.

S-R: You play a little soccer on the side?

Martin: I used to. In junior high, my team made the ODP (Olympic Development Program) regional pool two years in a row. And my girlfriend is a goalkeeper here (junior Meghan Miller), so I’m out there shooting on her. It’s fun.

S-R: Who wins that?

Martin: Usually she does, because she’s awesome and I haven’t kicked a ball in eight years.

S-R: So you’re not letting her win. It’s legit?

Martin: No, no. She’s more conditioned. She knows what she’s doing.

S-R: What skills do you take from soccer and apply to football?

Martin: Footwork, balance I guess. Having fun, most definitely.

S-R: We call this sport football here and in England, soccer is football. Who’s right?

Martin: Ooooh, don’t be doing that. Uh, depends where you’re at. If you’re here, this is right. But I was born in England, so if I was over there, I would say their football. I’m on the fence.

S-R: OK, fine. You don’t have an accent. Why not?

Martin: I was really young when I moved, so I never picked it up. I wish I did.

S-R: Because?

Martin: I just wish I did.

S-R: I thought there might be an ulterior motive there.

Martin: No. (Grinning and looking away) Never.

S-R: All right, back to current life. What CD is in the car right now?

Martin: A mix.

S-R: What kind of stuff?

Martin: Oh, man. Anything from Kenny Chesney to Petey Pablo. I love music, so whatever has a good beat, I’ll listen to it.

S-R: You’re a man of many cultures.

Martin: Oh yeah. I like the blues. I like the soft stuff for the girls, hardcore or rock or rap to hang with the guys. Whatever mood I’m in.