Cecil Martin was bouncing by 7:15 a.m. on Friday.
“We are going to get it going today,” he said.
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Martin, a former Wisconsin fullback and Sky Sports analyst, was ready to get to work. A two-time member of the Allstate Good Works Team as a player, Martin was ready to give back again as part of Big Ten Good Works Day ahead of the conference championship game in Indianapolis between Wisconsin and Penn State.
On Friday, Martin and a group of volunteers, Indy Parks and Recreation and Indiana Sports Corp, worked to refurbish the Bethel Park Family Center in Indianapolis. Fellow two-time Good Works member and SEC analyst Matt Stinchcomb led a similar project ahead of the SEC championship game.
Martin and those volunteers spent Friday refurbishing the Bethel Park Family Center and donated new equipment to the CAW Inner City Football youth league. Allstate also made a donation of $10,000 to Indy Parks and Rec.
“We’re going to paint, we’re going to clean, we’re going to provide furniture, and Allstate and is going to donate uniforms to the entire inner-city football league,” Martin said.
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Martin also gave a motivational speech as part of the events, something the former Badgers fullback enjoys as much as the work. He played as Wisconsin from 1995-98 before a five-year career in the NFL.
“At the end of the day it’s about all of us coming together,” Martin said. “It’s about putting all of our resources together so we can support the kids.”
Martin also broke down Saturday’s game between the Badgers and Nittany Lions, which is part of a mess of Big Ten teams that might make the College Football Playoff.
“I guess it’s a good mess, you have two divisions in the Big Ten and obviously Wisconsin won the West convincingly,” Martin said. “Over in the East, you have three great teams in Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State. When you look at this particular game, Penn State was able to make their move and show why they belong in this championship.”
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Martin, however, still picked his alma mater by a touchdown.
"Penn State has a chance to give our defense the toughest run for its money just based on how hot it’s been, but it’s not going to keep Wisconsin’s offense from putting up more points,” Martin said.
Martin's efforts are part of his work with the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works team which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. That will honor 24 college football players and a coach. For more information, visit ESPN.com/Allstate.
“I’ve been doing this fourth year being a part of this,” Martin said. “Every time I come back I feel like there is a little bit more energy and positivity in what we’re doing.”
