I was at the Texas State Fair one year rather late in the evening. There were these booths where they sold food right out in front of the main entrance to the Cotton Bowl. Harvey Martin apparently knew the people who were selling food there and he was in the booth. Some fans talked him into signing a few autographs. Not a long line, just a few people because the fair was about to close for the night. Harvey had the radio show called The Beautiful Harvey Martin at the time.
So I walked up and said, "Hey, it's the Beautiful Harvey Martin." He looked up at me as if I kicked his dog.
Years later, maybe around 1999 or 2000 I ran into Harvey Martin. He apparently had whatever killed him, because he was no where near the size he was. I immediately recognized him though and spoke to him. Now I'm not big on autographs or anything of that nature. Normally if I see one of the Cowboys that played in the SB, I just tell them thank you for the championship.
He smiled from ear to ear. My son came up and I introduced him to Harvey, as if I knew him. I told my son this guy was the MVP of a Super Bowl. My kid, who was about 24 then shook his hand and made a huge deal out of it.
Martin was clearly so very happy that he was recognized.
Upon reflection, it was really a sad thing. He was working for a service company. The lights were not bright for him any longer. Unlike some of the players who go on to make money and have careers, he didn't seem to be doing so well. He died within a year from that meeting.
But there was a time when he was on a football field wearing the star and tearing the other team a new rear end, and he was definitely The Beautiful Harvey Martin.
RIP #79
PS - They didn't record sacks during one point in his career. He posted 23 sacks in 1977. The NFL were playing only 14 games in the regular season back then. Here's a nice article on it. Strahan is not the single season sack leader.
As a side note, Harvey posted 114 sacks in 11 seasons. His partner, the other defensive end Ed "Too Tall" Jones posted 106 in 15 sesons.
https://footballmaven.io/talkoffame/nfl/state-your-case-harvey-martin--WYk2vQjrEaPC0xJcwwajw/