NEW YORK JETS LEGEND and
FOUNDER OF THE MARTY LYONS FOUNDATION

Marty Lyons takes great pride in being the Friends of Mercy Hospital honoree at the Gentlemen’s St. Patrick’s Dinner, as Mercy Hospital holds a special significance in his heart. Marty became a Dad, as his firstborn son, Rocky, came into the world at Mercy Hospital.

Marty Lyons, a NFL veteran, boasts a career marked by both on-field and off-field achievements. Notable highlights include his time at the University of Alabama and his swift induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011, a rare honor achieved by less than 1% of college football players in their first ballot appearance.

His professional football career began with his being drafted in the  1st Round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the New York Jets (14th overall pick), Marty dedicated his entire NFL career (1979-1989) to the Jets, excelling in roles as both Defensive Tackle and Defensive End. As part of the famed “New York Sack Exchange,” he contributed to leading the NFL in sacks for three out of four seasons (1981, 1983, and 1984). Marty concluded his 11-season career with 43 sacks in 147 games, setting a record for a Jets Defensive Lineman.

In 1984, Marty received the prestigious NFL “Man of the Year” award. Currently, he serves as a motivational speaker; co-founder and chairman of the Marty Lyons Foundation; vice president of Public Relations at The LandTek Group, Inc.; and a radio commentator for the New York Jets on ESPN Radio-NY.

Among Marty’s numerous life achievements, he takes the utmost pride in establishing the Marty Lyons Foundation. The foundation’s primary objective is to bring a sense of specialness to critically ill children engaged in unimaginable health battles. The foundation goes beyond by fulfilling wishes, significantly enhancing the lives of children and providing much-needed comfort and joy to their families and caregivers.

Since co-founding the MLF in 1982, he has assumed various roles, including Chairman of the Board, fundraiser, wish granter, book author, and more, demonstrating a commitment that goes well beyond mere association with the foundation’s name. Marty remains deeply engaged, consistently attracting new support for the foundation’s mission. His dedication earned him the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 1984.