Washington State receiver working to make things better for he and his family

Local fans hear the name Davontavean Martin and immediately think of touchdowns, slam dunks and athletic success.

But what many don’t know about Martin is his motivation to chase goals. They don’t know about his powerful drive to succeed for he and his family – a hunger that’s both inspirational, emotional and frankly, is everything that’s good about the spirit of athletics.

Martin opened up this week, speaking candidly about his life for a video released by Washington State University which seeks to build excitement amongst Cougars’ fans before the 2018 season.

In the video, Martin spoke candidly about his childhood and the adversity he’s faced in his life, including the death of his mother, which happened during his senior season at Ellender.

Martin said he’s grateful for the opportunities he’s been given and has a clear message to anyone struggling: keep working because brighter days are always just around the corner.

“Without this opportunity, I don’t know where I’d be – to be honest,” Martin said of his scholarship offer to the Cougars. “I’m just grateful.”

It’s a relationship that’s been beneficial to both sides.

Martin signed with Washington State after a decorated football and basketball career at Ellender – one which was so prosperous that many thought he could play either sport at the next level.

Former Washington State receivers coach Derrick Sage said that he first started recruiting Martin in his senior season – when Sage was the receivers coach at Toledo.

The coach then moved to Washington State and he told Cougars’ head coach Mike Leach about this hidden gem that he had a relationship with in Louisiana.

Leach saw the tape and agreed that Martin was a guy he wanted to get.

“We offered him a scholarship and the recruiting process began,” Sage said.

But in getting to know Martin, the Cougars’ coaches also got to get a candid look into his life – one which has been filled with challenges and adverse situations.

“When I started recruiting him, his father was incarcerated,” Sage said. “It was a difficult living situation – living with aunts. Living with a lot of siblings. He was kind of the older man in the house and trying to take care of all those guys.”

In the video, Martin talks about his siblings – two sisters and a brother. He openly talks about his love for each and talks about what it was like growing up in Houma.

He also talks about 2016 and the day his mom died unexpectedly of a heart attack – a day when Martin said he had two choices: either crumble or somehow rise above it and find a way.

Martin choked up when talking about the day, adding that he felt so much sadness for he and his siblings. But he added quickly that the day his mom died, he renewed his commitment to success, vowing to take he and his family into a better place in life.

“I just said, ‘We going to fight through this and make it better,’” Martin said. “I knew what she wanted for me and that’s just to help my siblings and make a better opportunity for us. So that’s what I wanted.”

And since that time, Martin has been making good on his promise.

He finished his senior season at Ellender with a dominant presence, leading Ellender’s boys’ basketball team to the Top 28. He then signed with Washington State for football and went to Pullman to begin his new life.

“The transition to Pullman was kind of hard because it’s kind of cold from where I’m from,” Martin said with a laugh. “(In Louisiana), it’s warm and the weather is nice and stuff. But I mean, I knew I could do it because I knew this school could take me far away (from my living situation in Houma).”

And on the field, the chip on Martin’s shoulder is shining bright and making him tough for opponents to deal with.

As just a true freshman, Martin shined, catching 31 passes for 366 yards and six touchdowns.

He played his best football in the final games of the season, emerging as one of the top receivers in a high-powered offense.

Martin said he remembers so many things about his freshman season – including his first touchdown grab.

“It was like a sigh of relief,” Martin said of the grab. “It was like – this is why I’m here.”

He said he sits up at night sometimes and thinks about running out onto the field at home games, calling those moments some of the best memories in his young life.

“I never experienced this in my life,” Martin said looking back. “Every time I run onto the field, it’s like a new feeling. Games like USC and Boise State, it just makes me emotional.”

But Martin isn’t setting himself up for failure, either. He’s covering all of his bases.

In addition to the athletic success, Martin is also a quality student. Sure, his plan is to play in the NFL, but he said he plans to graduate from Washington State – in case those plans don’t pan out or to prepare for life once a playing career is complete.

Washington State Academic Advisor Allison Hagihara said Martin attacks his books like he does an opponent – with tenacity. She said he’s grown so much as a student-athlete since arriving on campus.

“He has this drive and passion that I think a lot of people don’t have,” Hagihara said. “He prioritizes school and he knows it’s something that will get him where he needs to be, so he will do whatever it takes to be successful.”

But then again, for those who know Martin, that drive and motivation shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

Because, of course, he’s not just chasing success for himself, but also for others, as well.

And the love for one’s family is a powerful motivator – as powerful as any we have in life.

“He’s done the best he can and has helped his family along the way, as well,” Sage said. “He’s not using it as a crutch and he’s trying to be the best that he can – both on and off the field.”

“You can tell that Tay recognizes and has lived experiences where it’s clear that it can be worse, so he’s not a guy that takes anything for granted,” Leach added.

Tay MartinCOURTESY

Follow Casey on Twitter for more. 

https://twitter.com/casey_gisclair