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Curtis Martin receives his gold jack from presenter Bill Parcells at the Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner at the Memorial Civic Center on Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, in Canton, Ohio. Martin will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. The Repository, Scott Heckel, Associated Press
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FILE - In this, Dec. 5, 2004, file photo, New York Jets running back Curtis Martin celebrates his second touchdown against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter of an NFL football gam at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. For a guy who didn't Bill Kostroun, File, Associated Press
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Curtis Martin waves to the crowd after receiving his gold jacket at the Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner at the Memorial Civic Center on Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, in Canton, Ohio. Martin will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. The Repository, Scott Heckel, Associated Press
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FILE - In this, Nov. 24, 2002, file photo, New York Jets running back Curtis Martin reacts to fans cheers as he leaves the field after the Jets beat the Buffalo Bills 31-13 in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. For a guy who d Bill Kostroun, File, Associated Press
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FILE - In this, Oct. 6, 2002, file photo, Kansas City Chief's Lew Bush, left, tries to grab New York Jets' Curtis Martin during first half action in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. For a guy who didn't really want to play f Brian Branch-Price, File, Associated Press
By Associated Press

CANTON, Ohio — Football saved Curtis Martin. His mother forced him to play so he'd stay out of trouble while growing up in a tough Pittsburgh neighborhood.

He not only survived, but thrived.

The running back was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday night, the only "skill position" player in a group of six. Linemen Dermontti Dawson, Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy and Willie Roaf and cornerback Jack Butler joined him.

Martin started 119 consecutive games with the Patriots and Jets, ending his career as the league's fourth all-time rusher. He joined Barry Sanders as the only runners to start their careers with 10 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

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Martin had former coach Bill Parcells introduce him Saturday. Martin followed Parcells from New England to the Jets.

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