At heart Charlie Martin is truly a baseball kid who loves playing in the outfield for Sallisaw.

“I grew up playing baseball and have played travel ball most summers since I was little. The pitching and competition are usually tougher in travel ball, and you get to play at colleges where you’re seen by those coaches. My dad, Todd, was a baseball kid and played at OU so I just kind of took after him.”

But that’s not to say that Charlie, who plays wide receiver and outside linebacker for the Black Diamonds, doesn’t enjoy football a lot as well.

“I didn’t start playing football until the sixth grade and it really wasn’t until I got to high school that I really started enjoying it because it’s just fun playing with a bunch of my friends.”

One of those long-time friends is the Black Diamonds quarterback Parker Jackson.

“Parker and I go way back to when I started playing football and I think that bond really helps us connect really well here in high school.”

As a senior, Charlie is expected to be one of the team leaders and does a good job in that regard according to Sallisaw football coach Mark Hutson.

“Charlie provides great leadership for us by providing a great example of how to do things right and he works well with everyone.”

Martin himself says his leadership isn’t just limited to what’s happening in practice on in the game.

“I really lead on and off the field. On the field I try to keep everyone’s’ head up even if something goes wrong and off the field, I try to help guys with their homework or life problems just to keep them positive,” said Martin who is also a member of the National Honor Society. “I think my role model is Mike Trout. I just like the way he plays the game, and he has a good personality and strong work ethic.”

Charlie was recently a proud brother as his sister Ellie, who is a cheerleader, was named homecoming queen and while he didn’t get to escort her, he did escort one of the other girls.

Once he is done with high school, Charlie says he would like to play junior college baseball somewhere or if not, then go to OU and work on an engineering degree. As a legacy, Charlie’s thoughts are simple and straight forward.

“I’d like to be remembered as a hard worker with a great attitude and someone that brought a smile to peoples’ faces.”