Marty Lyons has enjoyed a long successful career in the worlds of sports, business, and philanthropy. He is currently the Director of Sales and Marketing at the Landtek Group, INC. where he has successfully merged his renown in sports and business savvy acquired from UBS Financial Services to greatly contribute to its growth as one of the premier “turf” installation business.

Mr. Lyons’ Football experience matured under the guidance of the late Paul “Bear” Bryant at the University of Alabama where he was recognized as the All-American in 1978. His peers elected him captain of the NCAA Division 1 National Champion football team that same year. His athletic school propelled him to be a first round draft pick in the 1979 National Football League draft.

Mr. Lyons’ professional football career with the New York Jets spanned twelve (12) years; during which time, he played both defensive tackle and defensive end. He played a key role in the formation of “the New York Sack Exchange” which led the league in quarterback sacks in 1981. His performance on the field led to his selection as Pro Bowl alternate in 1982 and 1983. Experience and leadership enabled him to serve as one of the defensive team captains in 1988.

In 1982, Mr. Lyons realized that there was more to life than football. According to Mr. Lyons’, “In March 1982, three evens altered my life. In the period of one week, my father, Leo, passed away suddenly; Keith, a little boy whom I was a Big Brother, passes away from Leukemia; and my first son, Rocky, was born. Imagine being on top of the world, and in the period of seven days you are forced to see the frailty, unfairness, and the wonder of life. I decided to use my name and my God-given talent to make a difference in the lives of terminally ill children.”

With the encouragement and assistance of family and friends, he was determined to establish a foundation dedicated to helping children find the courage and strength to fight their illnesses. His idea was that through the granting of a wish, he’d foster hope and inspiration in a child by making possible what had been perceived as impossible. He founded The Marty Lyons Foundation, and over the last 23 years, it has never slowed in its commitment to helping those in need. The organization is focused on fulfilling special wishes for children diagnosed with life-threatening or terminal illness. The Foundation has grown to include 8 chapters covering the following states: New York, New Jersey, Florida, North Carolina, Sound Carolina, Maryland, Massachusetts, Georgia, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.

Mr. Lyons’ career has always been a blend of both field and off-field accomplishments. Highlights Include:


University of Alabama

1978, All-American
1978, SEC Defensive Player of the Year
1978, Alabama Defensive Player of the Year
1978, Outstanding Defensive Lineman in the Nation; Awarded by the Columbus Quarterback Club
Defensive Player of the Decade – 1970s
Election to the Alabama Team of the Century
Captain of the 1978 National Champions

National Football League – New York Jets

1979, Number One Draft Choice
1981, Member of the New York Sack Exchange
1982, Pro Bowl Alternate
1983, Pro Bowl Alternate
1984, National Football League Man of the Year
1991, Retired after 12 seasons
1983, Member of All time New York Jets Four Decade Team

Hall of Fames:

Walk of Fame, St. Petersburg, FL, 1993
State of Alabama, Class of 2000
Suffolk County, New York, Class of 2001
Nassau County, New York, Class of 2002
Maryland Sports Hall of Fame, 2004

Motivational Speaker:
1979 – present
Among the long lists of speaking engagements include, United Way, Bank of America, Pepsico, Coca-Cola, Academy Bus Lines, Smithtown Library Foundation, J. Kings Food Service, United Parcel Service, New York Jets, Long Island Catholic Men’s Retreat, various youth groups and High School assemblies.

Professional Affiliations

1993 – 1995, President, RBSLI consulting
1995 – 1999, Financial Advisor, PaineWebber
2001 – present. Director of Marketing and Sales, Landtek Group, INC

Broadcasting Qualifications

1982, Established the Marty Lyons’ Foundation Inc.
Man of the Decade, Westchester/Putnam County Knights of Columbus
Gary Carter Award, Long Island Leukemia Society
American Red Cross Good Neighbor Award
Person of the Year, Long Island Advertising Club
Steve Reeves Award, New York Downtown Athletic Club
Man of the Tear, Long Island Jewish Hospital
Life Time Achievement Award, United Way
Long Island Public Relations Award
Citizen of the Year, Sons of Italy
Good Guy Award, New Jersey Sports Writer
Ernie Davis Humanitarian Award
Helping Hands Award, The NFL Alumni
City Hero Award – Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation
Port Jefferson’s Irish American Man of the Year
Long Island Jewish Association Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award
Bank of America Charitable Foundation 2005 Local Hero
Long Island Volunteer Hall of Fame.