Photo of Brenton Martin by CJ Halloran (Special to True To The Cru)
WROCLAW, Poland- Former UMHB wide receiver Brenton Martin is now officially on a professional roster…5,504 miles from Belton.
The Crusaders’ leading receiver in the 2021 Stagg Bowl win over North Central, Martin was signed by Wroclaw Panthers of the European League of Football on Friday, for the 2023 season.
“It means a lot,” Martin said Friday. “I thank the Lord for blessing me with the ability to travel the world and play professional football. In addition, this is a way to open doors for my peers and make connections internationally.”
The 25-year old native of Marietta, Georgia, played three seasons with the Cru, tallying 1,406 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 31 games, before graduating. He had 196 yards in the 57-24 national championship win, and in his time in Belton, became one of only a few players in program history to tally at least one passing touchdown, one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown. As UMHB’s primary kickoff returner in 2019, Martin averaged 19.7 yards on 13 returns, and finished his time as a Crusader with 300 total kickoff return yards. He was also an All-ASC honorable mention in both the 2020-21 and 2021 seasons.
“We are happy to sign Brenton [Martin], who we expect will have a huge impact on the opponent’s defense in every action,” Jakub Samel, a “former head coach who now works as the Panthers sports director”, said in a press release from Wroclaw Panthers. “He showed on tape that he fights for every ball, has great coordination and is a versatile receiver.”
Wroclaw Panthers plays in the Northern Division of the 12-team league, and finished the 2022 season with a 5-7 record. The league, which played its first season in 2021, consists of franchises in Germany, Spain, Austria, Turkey and Poland, with six expansion teams set to be added in 2023. The season typically runs from June-September.
Good Luck to a very good football 🏈 player, did very well in last year’s Championship Game……