Trayvon Martin’s father, Tracy Martin, has been named honorary captain of the Florida A&M University football team after he gave the squad a moving speech on Sunday, according to reports.
“[We] talked and I told him I’d love him to talk to the team,” coach Earl Holmes said about Martin. “He came out and he was very, very encouraging.
“[He] got a standing ovation from our guys. He talked about just persevering and told the guys to keep on pushing through the hard times. The message he shared with the kids was very positive and they were very responsive.”
The FAMU players were inspired by Martin’s speech, according to Holmes.
“He had some inspiring words and the guys played off of that,” Holmes said, according to the Sentinel. “And we’re going to keep pushing for him and his foundation. He’ll be an honorary captain for us this year and he’s welcome any time.”
Martin’s son, Trayvon, was gunned down by neighborhood watch guard George Zimmerman on Feb. 26, 2012. Last month, Florida jurors found Zimmerman not guilty for killing the 17-year-old.
In wake of his son’s death, Tracy Martin has started a charity.
“I think what he’s doing with the foundation is big and it speaks volumes and I want the football team and FAMU nation to be part of that,” Holmes said.
Tracy Martin will be honored at FAMU’s season opener against Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 1, when he will also perform the pregame coin toss, according to reports.
