SC-born Super Bowl champs George Martin, Terry Kinard talk brotherhood

Sam Sokolow, right, looks toward his brother Alec on set as players from the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team talk during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Working with your brother, “It’s next level. It’s a film about brotherhood,” Sam said about what it’s all about. New York Giants was his father’s heroes. Some of my early childhood memories was watching them build the stadium.”

Jim Burt, left, and Terry Kinard, right, Clemson Hall of Fame football player, who played on the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

Jim Burt, left, and Terry Kinard, right, Clemson Hall of Fame football player, who played on the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

Sam Sokolow, right, looks at a monitor near his brother Alec, left, on set as players from the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team talk during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Working with your brother, “It’s next level. It’s a film about brotherhood,” Sam said about what it’s all about.”

Jim Burt, left, and Terry Kinard, right, Clemson Hall of Fame football player, who played on the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

Jim Burt, left, and Terry Kinard, right, Clemson Hall of Fame football player, who played on the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

Emma Bultman, left, and Ethan Faulkner, Clemson Univeristy film students work on the set of “Once A Giant” filming members of the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

Co-producers Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, with film crew from Clemson Univeristy film eight players from the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team on set of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

Emily Crum, PhD in RCID at Clemson, watches with fellow students as players from the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team talk during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

Sam Sokolow, right, looks as players from the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team talk during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Working with your brother, “It’s next level. It’s a film about brotherhood,” Sam said about what it’s all about. New York Giants was his father’s heroes. Some of my early childhood memories was watching them build the stadium.”

Sam Sokolow, right, looks toward his brother Alec on set as players from the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team talk during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Working with your brother, “It’s next level. It’s a film about brotherhood,” Sam said about what it’s all about. New York Giants was his father’s heroes. Some of my early childhood memories was watching them build the stadium.”

Bobby Johnson, left, part of the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team, talks about grandchildren with Joe Morris, right, and Terry Kinard, middle, between filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Otis Anderson, Jim Burt, Bobby Johnson, Terry Kinard, Pepper Johnson, George Martin, Joe Morris, and Bart Oates filmed at the Greenville hotel.

Co-producer Sam Sokolow, right, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, far left, and former NY Giants player George Martin, middle, between filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

Terry Kinard, 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team, talks with former Giants teammates, between filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Former NY Giants Super Bowl Champions Otis Anderson, Jim Burt, Bobby Johnson, Terry Kinard, Pepper Johnson, George Martin, Joe Morris, and Bart Oates filmed at the Greenville hotel.

Former Clemson football National Champion Terry Kinard, was part of the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team, talks about grandchildren with former Giants teammates, between filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

Jim Burt, offensive lineman from the 1986 Super Bowl Champion New Yorkl Giants, talks with Anne Townsend Myers, right, Strategic Marketing Manager of KVH in Greenville between filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Former Clemson football National Champion Terry Kinard, was part of the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team.

Jim Burt, offensive lineman from the 1986 Super Bowl Champion New Yorkl Giants, works out between filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Former Clemson football National Champion Terry Kinard, was part of the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team.

Filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Former Clemson football National Champion Terry Kinard, was part of the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team.

Pepper Johnson, 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team, talks with former Giants teammates, between filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Former NY Giants Super Bowl Champions Otis Anderson, Jim Burt, Bobby Johnson, Terry Kinard, Pepper Johnson, George Martin, Joe Morris, and Bart Oates filmed at the Greenville hotel.

Bobby Johnson, left, part of the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team, talks about grandchildren with Joe Morris, right, and Terry Kinard, middle, between filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Otis Anderson, Jim Burt, Bobby Johnson, Terry Kinard, Pepper Johnson, George Martin, Joe Morris, and Bart Oates filmed at the Greenville hotel.

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Sam Sokolow, right, Clemson University film professor and co-producer with his brother Alec greets him with a kiss, as players from the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team talk during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.  Working with your brother, “It’s next level. It’s a film about brotherhood,” Sam said about what it’s all about. New York Giants were his father’s heroes. "Some of my early childhood memories was watching them build the stadium.”

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Sam Sokolow, right, Clemson University film professor and co-producer with his brother Alec greets him with a kiss, as players from the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team talk during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.  Working with your brother, “It’s next level. It’s a film about brotherhood,” Sam said about what it’s all about. New York Giants were his father’s heroes. "Some of my early childhood memories was watching them build the stadium.”

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Sam Sokolow, right, looks toward his brother Alec on set as players from the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team talk during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Working with your brother, “It’s next level. It’s a film about brotherhood,” Sam said about what it’s all about. New York Giants was his father’s heroes. Some of my early childhood memories was watching them build the stadium.”

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Jim Burt, left, and Terry Kinard, right, Clemson Hall of Fame football player, who played on the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Jim Burt, left, and Terry Kinard, right, Clemson Hall of Fame football player, who played on the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Sam Sokolow, right, looks at a monitor near his brother Alec, left, on set as players from the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team talk during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Working with your brother, “It’s next level. It’s a film about brotherhood,” Sam said about what it’s all about.”

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Jim Burt, left, and Terry Kinard, right, Clemson Hall of Fame football player, who played on the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Jim Burt, left, and Terry Kinard, right, Clemson Hall of Fame football player, who played on the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Emma Bultman, left, and Ethan Faulkner, Clemson Univeristy film students work on the set of “Once A Giant” filming members of the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Co-producers Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, with film crew from Clemson Univeristy film eight players from the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team on set of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Emily Crum, PhD in RCID at Clemson, watches with fellow students as players from the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team talk during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Sam Sokolow, right, looks as players from the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team talk during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Working with your brother, “It’s next level. It’s a film about brotherhood,” Sam said about what it’s all about. New York Giants was his father’s heroes. Some of my early childhood memories was watching them build the stadium.”

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Sam Sokolow, right, looks toward his brother Alec on set as players from the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team talk during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Working with your brother, “It’s next level. It’s a film about brotherhood,” Sam said about what it’s all about. New York Giants was his father’s heroes. Some of my early childhood memories was watching them build the stadium.”

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Bobby Johnson, left, part of the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team, talks about grandchildren with Joe Morris, right, and Terry Kinard, middle, between filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Otis Anderson, Jim Burt, Bobby Johnson, Terry Kinard, Pepper Johnson, George Martin, Joe Morris, and Bart Oates filmed at the Greenville hotel.

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Co-producer Sam Sokolow, right, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, far left, and former NY Giants player George Martin, middle, between filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Terry Kinard, 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team, talks with former Giants teammates, between filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Former NY Giants Super Bowl Champions Otis Anderson, Jim Burt, Bobby Johnson, Terry Kinard, Pepper Johnson, George Martin, Joe Morris, and Bart Oates filmed at the Greenville hotel.

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Former Clemson football National Champion Terry Kinard, was part of the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team, talks about grandchildren with former Giants teammates, between filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Jim Burt, offensive lineman from the 1986 Super Bowl Champion New Yorkl Giants, talks with Anne Townsend Myers, right, Strategic Marketing Manager of KVH in Greenville between filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Former Clemson football National Champion Terry Kinard, was part of the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team.

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Jim Burt, offensive lineman from the 1986 Super Bowl Champion New Yorkl Giants, works out between filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Former Clemson football National Champion Terry Kinard, was part of the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team.

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Former Clemson football National Champion Terry Kinard, was part of the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team.

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Pepper Johnson, 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team, talks with former Giants teammates, between filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Former NY Giants Super Bowl Champions Otis Anderson, Jim Burt, Bobby Johnson, Terry Kinard, Pepper Johnson, George Martin, Joe Morris, and Bart Oates filmed at the Greenville hotel.

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See photos of Clemson professor Sam Sokolow co-producing documentary

Bobby Johnson, left, part of the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team, talks about grandchildren with Joe Morris, right, and Terry Kinard, middle, between filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026. Otis Anderson, Jim Burt, Bobby Johnson, Terry Kinard, Pepper Johnson, George Martin, Joe Morris, and Bart Oates filmed at the Greenville hotel.

Sokolow's take on family, filming documentary in Greenville

For Sam Sokolow, filming the New York Giants is a dream come true.

Growing up in New York, the Sokolows would go to their favorite football team's games with their father, who passed away after the Super Bowl win.

Sam Sokolow said one of his earliest childhood memories was when the New York Giants' stadium was under construction. For the time being, the team had to move their games to Connecticut's Yale Bowl.

"So when I'm four years old, my dad's throwing me in a car on Sunday morning and driving us over the Connecticut border, and I'm at a bar because they're showing the New York Giants in the early 70s, mid 70s," he said.

Community and commitment are two things Sam Sokolow has learned from watching the New York Giants play over the years. His sense of identity is also rooted within the team, as well as his ideals of brotherhood.

Working on the documentary with his brother is another dream fulfilled, he said, calling the experience "next level."

"I'm directing it with my brother, and it's about the New York Giants, which is probably the first thing we talk about every time we talk, which is several times a day," Sam Sokolow said.

Alec Sokolow chimed in describing their brotherly bond shaped sharing a room growing up and what it is like now working on the same project.

"So you grow up basically roommates, right? And so you start talking...as brothers talk over that period because you like the same stuff even though we're different ages...You kind of go on in life, and that bond never stops," he said. "And so what it's like? It's almost like there's no words on how much fun it is and how appreciative I am at a chance to just kind of play together, to work, to take his expertise and my expertise and somehow do something."

Co-producer Sam Sokolow, right, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, far left, and former NY Giants player George Martin, middle, between filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

In the documentary, Sam Sokolow said the audience will get to see the brotherhood that shaped the New York Giants, including their motivations, what keeps them together, and what inspires them to wake up every morning and do what they do. They will also get to hear how important the fanbase is to the athletes, whose support gave them the strength to continue playing.

Athletes' personal struggles will be one of the main highlights of the documentary, showing fans what their lives were like when the cameras weren’t rolling.

"I mean, this is 40 years of lives for 50 plus individuals," Sam Sokolow said. "So you have illness, you have, certainly, in the cases of many of these football players, physical ailments...from playing the game that they've had to deal with...They've lost a member of the team. One member of the team has passed away. Deeply meaningful, obviously, and powerful to them all."

"Once A Giant" will be produced independently through Winter State Entertainment. The studio's location in Greenville was one of the reasons Sokolow chose the Upstate for one of the film's settings, as well as Kinard and Martin's connections to the state. Hotel Hartness served as a film backdrop due to its "beauty" and "welcoming environment." New York is another film location.

"The Upstate of South Carolina is one of the greatest manufacturing centers in the history of this country and the world. So there's no reason why we shouldn't be manufacturing amazing movies here and exporting them to the world and be ready to bring in...the high paying jobs that come with big productions that come from the outside, from the Netflixs to the HBOs." Sam Sokolow said.

The documentary will feature the work of six Clemson University graduates of World Cinema, whom Sam Sokolow has worked with and is proud of.

Sam Sokolow did not give an exact date for when the documentary would be released, but hopes it will premiere close to the 40th anniversary of Super Bowl XXI.

"A team is a group of people that subjugate their ego and sacrifice for a common cause," he said. "Those are the values that allow these individuals to come together to win a Super Bowl, and we hope this film ends up an inspiring tale of what it takes to champion in any aspect of your life."

Terry Kinard: 'Once a Giant, always a Giant'

Kinard, 66, who grew up in Sumter and was recruited to Clemson University on an athletic scholarship, considers the friends he met during his career a blessing. Now residing in Atlanta, the former safety for the New York Giants knows if he needs someone to lean on, they are just a dial away.

"Team-wise, like I say, one thing the Giants organization has done over the years and building their model was: once a Giant, always a Giant," said Kinard, who was able to continue attending anniversaries, games, and events because of the team's family-focused atmosphere. He recalled times where he would bring his son to New York Giants games, who was too young to experience watching his father play on the field.

A combination of level-headedness, skill, and luck helped the New York Giants land the Super Bowl XXI championship, said Kinard. While there weren't any doubts in his mind that the New York Giants were the better team, there are moments off camera where things don't always turn out as planned.

"When we get together...there's a lot of stories that we can tell, and there's a lot of stories we can't tell," he said.

"And I've always...felt fortunate to be a part of that organization [New York Giants], and to be a part of that group, because if you're down and if you need help, you could just pick up the phone and if they could help you, they would. So I've had a lot of fond memories of guys inviting me out to...be a part of the golf tournaments, a lot of their benefits."

Former Clemson football National Champion Terry Kinard, was part of the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team, talks about grandchildren with former Giants teammates, between filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

George Martin: Playing the game comes with sacrifice

Born in Greenville and raised in Moonville, George Martin, 73, is proud of the legacy he is passing down to his family. In Super Bowl XXI, the former co-captain and defensive end of the New York Giants sacked quarterback John Elway of the Denver Broncos for a safety, positioning his team for the 1987 championship win.

"My handprint and legacy is very widespread," Martin said, who played for the NFL for 14 years. The average runtime of a professional football athlete is only three and half, he added.

If there was a moment behind the scenes of the Super Bowl XXI that Martin wishes fans could see, it would be one of coach Bill Parcells, and the message he drove into his teammates to inspire them to strive for excellence.

"Bill Parcells came out, and he was very prophetic in saying that the outcome of the game is not in doubt ― the outcome of the game is dependent on each and every one of us. In other words, we held the ability to be winners or losers," he said. "And that was, you might say, 'Isn't that pretty simple?' No, it's not. Very complicated...'cause people go out and then just say, oh well, if it wasn't for that fumble or you had to drop that touchdown pass or if you hadn't missed that tackle...we knew that we had our destiny in our own hands."

Martin also said if aspiring athletes saw what it took to transition into a professional athlete, they would see the true sacrifice that comes with participating in the industry.

"It is the most antiquated...it is the most chaotic...the most brutal form of work you could possibly do, and that includes...losing your ability to walk, getting your knees surgically repaired, your elbows, your neck." he said.

Jim Burt, left, and Terry Kinard, right, Clemson Hall of Fame football player, who played on the 1986 NFL Super Bowl New York Giants team during filming of “Once A Giant” football documentary with Clemson co-producer Sam Sokolow, a Clemson professor, and his brother Alec, at the Hartness Hotel in Greenville, S.C. Monday, April 27, 2026.

Through the wins and losses, Martin knows he will always have his New York Giants teammates by his side. He called fellow athlete and country boy Curtis McGriff one of his strongest bonds and who helped prolong his career with the team.

"As I got older, he would play against the run and I would play against the pass, which is, you know, easier," Martin said. "But he loved doing what he was doing and I loved doing what I was doing."

Nina Tran is the breaking news and education reporter for The Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her via email at ntran@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Super Bowl documentary filming in Greenville. See the SC connections