Marty Lyons is proud of his career as a football star from St. Petersburg Catholic High School to the University of Alabama and the New York Jets. He’s just as proud, maybe more so, of his Marty Lyons Foundation.

Shortly after joining the Jets in 1979 as a first-round draft pick, the Pinellas Park native volunteered with the Leukemia Society on Long Island, New York. He soon became a Big Brother for a 3-year-old with major health issues named Keith.

Three life events over six days in 1982 changed Lyons’ life: His oldest son, Rocky, was born March 4; his father died four days later at 58; and Keith passed away March 10 at age 5½.

“That became a big challenge to my faith,” said Lyons, who has lived in New York for 46 years. “I have four kids, thankfully all healthy, but not everybody has that.”

Those events inspired Lyons to launch his foundation, which grants wishes to seriously ill children. Unlike Make-A-Wish Foundation, Lyons’ organization also grants second wishes to children who relapse after remission.

“There are times a kid relapses,” Lyons said. “They may have gotten one wish already. We will give them a second wish.”

As of 2025, the Marty Lyons Foundation has raised more than $44 million through donations and events, including its Celebrity Golf Classic, which will mark its 40th year this July. The foundation has served more than 8,600 families in 14 states, granting wishes that include Disney trips, meet-and-greets with celebrities, computers, gaming systems, swimming pools and shopping sprees.

“Everybody has an opportunity to make a difference,” Lyons said. “We are blessed to have a committed staff, as well as many volunteers who give of their time with fundraisers and other functions. It’s important to surround yourself with good people who have the same common goal. The foundation may have my name on it, but it has been built up by so many people.”

Sandra White, executive director, said Lyons’ involvement goes beyond his name.

“Marty is an inspiration to us all at the foundation,” White said. “As a leader, he is highly motivational and respected. He has always been hands-on and has spearheaded the foundation for the last 43 years. His compassion is the driving force behind the foundation and is what fuels our volunteers and staff to foster hope in our special children.”

Lyons credits Landtec, a sports field design and construction company with offices throughout the East Coast, for providing space and support on Long Island for the nonprofit.

Growing up in Pinellas Park, Lyons became one of Pinellas County’s top athletes. By his senior year at St. Petersburg Catholic, the hulking 6-foot-5, 220-pound lineman had clear talent. But as a small-school player, he wondered which college might recruit him.

“We only had 29 or 30 players on our football team,” said Lyons, who graduated in 1975. “My coach, George O’Brien, probably had more confidence in my ability than I did. He sent out a lot of information to colleges.”

O’Brien’s outreach caught the attention of legendary University of Alabama coach Bear Bryant, who personally welcomed the St. Petersburg Catholic senior to the Crimson Tide. The transition from a small school to one with tens of thousands of students and unparalleled football history proved overwhelming.

“It was like I was starting all over,” Lyons said. “There were a lot of talented players. My freshman year, I only got into six games. As a sophomore, I was a backup. In one of our controlled scrimmages when I was a junior, one of the coaches said to me, ‘You might be a player after all.'”

Lyons earned a starting position his junior year in 1978. A year later, as a first-team All-American, he helped Alabama win the national championship.

The Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jets all showed interest in Lyons before the NFL draft. During the Senior Bowl, where Jets coaches led the North squad, Lyons felt he had a strong game. New York selected him in the first round, 14th overall.

“Coming to New York was a whole new experience,” said Lyons, 68. “From St. Pete to Alabama to the Big Apple and Shea Stadium. This was my new livelihood.”

Lyons became part of the “New York Sack Exchange” alongside Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko and Abdul Salaam. The Jets made the playoffs three times during his 12 years with the team, reaching the AFC Championship Game in 1982 before losing to the Miami Dolphins, 14-0.

After retiring, Lyons briefly considered coaching but decided against it. He worked for Paine Webber before finding his calling with Landtec. The Jets hired him as a game-day radio analyst, a role he held for 22 years before stepping down in 2023. He remains a Jets ambassador.

“I talk to people in our hospitality suites, thank the sponsors and season ticket holders, and get involved with some events,” said Lyons, who has been part of the Jets organization for 46 years.

Keeping spirits up hasn’t been easy lately with the Jets’ recent struggles.

“I tell them it’s going to turn around,” Lyons said, noting that strong draft choices and free-agent signings “in a year or two” can rebuild a team.

Lyons has been inducted into numerous halls of fame, but his proudest honor is the 1984 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, earned largely for his foundation work.

“That’s special,” Lyons said.

For more information about the Marty Lyons Foundation, visit martylyonsfoundation.org.