Former Giants star George Martin yesterday set off on a 3,000-mile walk from the George Washington Bridge to the Golden Gate Bridge in hopes of raising $10 million to benefit Ground Zero rescue and recovery workers.
“What happened at the World Trade Center was abominable,” said Martin, 54, a retired defensive end who put in 14 years with Big Blue and is now embarking on A Journey for 9.11.
“We didn’t respond very well to our heroes. I was appalled as I kept reading in the papers that people were denied benefits or not given proper medical care.”
A medical technician, a security person, an event planner and a bus driver are accompanying Martin. His old teammates and former and current NFL players will join along the way.
Martin said his inspiration for the trek was friends affected by 9/11 and two neighbors killed in the attacks.
“When you look at how they touched my life, it seemed like the right thing to do,” said Martin, who got a sendoff yesterday during a halftime ceremony at the Giants-Green Bay Packers game at Giants Stadium.
“I hope it inspires the entire community and the entire nation to give in any capacity they can.”
Donations are accepted at http://www.ajourneyfor911.net.