They call him “Mr. Excitement,” and after Sunday’s 39-9 blowout win against the DC Defenders, everybody can see why!
LA Wildcats Running Back, No. 28, Martez Carter literally flipped into the end zone not once, not twice, but three times while making XFL history as one of only two players to score three touchdowns in a single game.
“When I was a little boy, I wanted to be the best Power Ranger that the world had ever seen. The Red Ranger has just stuck with me, and I feel like I am the Red Ranger, Mr. Excitement!” claimed Martez when asked where he learned to flip.
Speaking of being a little boy, Carter, 26, grew up in Monroe, Louisiana, as one of 11 children who found football as his way to stand out. The first of his immediate family to graduate high school, Carter attended Richwood High School, where he played football until his senior year. Carter describes his style of play as “running loose with the ball,” and it’s that same freewheeling flair that caught the eye of college coaches and the XFL today!
After leaving Wiley College where he was first recruited, Carter was a walk-on at Grambling State University who tallied 1,560 all-purpose yards, two receiving touchdowns, and ten rushing touchdowns during his tenure. He also played in the 7th Annual NFL Players Association Collegiate Bowl in 2018. Carter went undrafted in 2018 but signed with the Washington Redskins with whom he played one pre-season game before being waived. The New Orleans Saints claimed him off waivers where he spent a few weeks on the practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract for the 2019 season. Unfortunately, Martez was waived before he could see any Saints pre-season action.
And then the XFL called.
“I like the excitement that the league brings as a whole… there’s a lot of energy; the fans are into it. I get so emotional at the simple fact that I thought that my football career was over. So, therefore, the XFL, giving me another chance to show up on Saturdays and Sunday nationally, that’s all my heart can do is smile,” states Carter when asked about the league.
Martez Carter, aka “Mr. Excitement,” has been welcomed by XFL and by the LA Wildcat fans. Everyone hopes to see him somersaulting into end zones even more next week when the team takes on the NY Guardians at MetLife Stadium this Saturday, February 29th, at 2 pm.
Written by Deborah Whitcas
Photo Credit: Shane Marashi
