Running back Curtis Martin and Bill Parcells are finalists for the Hall of Fame.  And according to Hank Gola of the New York Daily News, Martin would love to be enshrined with his coach.

“As far as my football career, I consider him my father figure and my mentor,” Martin said. “If it was not for Bill Parcells, my career wouldn’t be even half of what it was and I’m not saying that modestly. I’m not nervous at all. The exciting part of it for me is the possibility of going in with Bill. If I could guarantee that Bill would make it and that meant that I couldn’t make it, I would make that sacrifice. That’s how much he’s meant to me.”

Parcells, 70, always tried to keep his players humble, including Martin. After Martin’s first 100-yard game with the Patriots, Parcells passed by the running back’s locker as he was being interviewed by reporters and said, “Don’t go putting him in Canton yet.”

“I remember that day,” said Martin, 38.

Now Parcells says that Martin should be going to Canton “on roller skates.” Some consider Martin a near shoo-in to make it through this time. After all, he’s the fourth-leading rusher in NFL history.

Parcells, up twice before he returned to coaching with the Cowboys, has credentials that stack up against the best coaches ever. A two-time Super Bowl winner with the Giants, he is the only coach to lead four franchises to the playoffs.

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