Trayvon Martin's father leads FAMU football team onto Citrus Bowl field before opener

ORLANDO, Florida -- Trayvon Martin’s father led the FAMU football team onto the field before the Rattlers’ season opener Sunday at the Citrus Bowl, embracing his role as honorary captain this season.

Tracy Martin, whose son Trayvon was shot and killed in Sanford last year, has been working to raise funds in support of families scarred by violence. He welcomed the opportunity to spend time with the young Florida A&M team. Tracy Martin ran out of the Orlando Citrus Bowl tunnel with the Rattlers shortly before the start of their game against Mississippi Valley State, part of the 9th Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge.

“It feels good just to be a part of that, man. I had a son that used to go to FAMU and Trayvon wanted to go to FAMU,” Martin said immediately after taking the field. “I’m good friends with coach [Earl] Holmes, the coaching staff . . . some of the kids on the team I even coached them in little league football, so it felt good to run out there with them.”

Martin and Holmes spoke during the summer and they decided it would be a good idea for Martin to be an honorary captain for this year’s squad to help bring more attention to the Trayvon Martin Foundation. The foundation’s purpose, according to the website trayvonmartinfoundation.org, is to raise awareness about ...

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