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Thunder Acquire USC Lineman Martinez

July 16, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Portland Thunder News Release


PORTLAND, ORE. - The Thunder were assigned John Martinez Wednesday as the team hopes to fill in the hole left by star lineman Max Jean-Gilles, who went on injured reserve.

"John's a talented guy, very strong," said Head Coach Matthew Sauk. "We picked up one of his former teammates [center Abe Markowitz] a while ago - they already have some experience together, which should be helpful. It's always tough trying to build that connection within your offensive line, so hopefully that experience will help us shorten the adjustment period this late into the season."

Martinez (6-2, 325) started 30 games at USC, playing on both the right and left sides of the line at guard for the Trojans. In 2012, he was named an All-Pac-12 honorable mention. He was a part of the final recruiting class for Pete Carroll at USC after being named to several All-American lists and the ESPN 150 list as a prospect coming out of Cottonwood High School in Salt Lake City, Utah. After finishing college in 2014, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks before making his way to Portland.

Martinez will be eligible to play with the Thunder this Sunday at 3 p.m. as the Thunder take on the Arizona Rattlers with the opportunity to clinch the National Conference's final playoff spot. The game will be streamed online on ESPN3 and carried on 750 AM The Game.

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