Last Updated on October 22, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Sam Martin’s family has played an important role in his successful NFL career. The Carolina Panthers punter is the son of Tom Martin and Debbie Martin and has two sisters, Alice Martin and Lucy Martin. In his personal life, he is dating Berkleigh Wright, a former Denver Broncos cheerleader and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model.
Born on February 27, 1990, Sam Joseph Martin grew up in Fayetteville, Georgia, where he developed an interest in multiple sports before becoming a professional football player.
His family supported his athletic ambitions from high school through his college career at Appalachian State University and his eventual selection in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Here is everything publicly known about Sam Martin’s girlfriend, wife, children, parents, brothers and sisters.
Who Is Sam Martin’s Girlfriend?
Sam Martin’s girlfriend is Berkleigh Wright, an American model and former Denver Broncos cheerleader who appeared in the 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
The couple’s relationship became publicly known after Wright began attending NFL games to support Martin, initially during his time with the Buffalo Bills.
In September 2025, Sports Illustrated published an interview in which Wright discussed her relationship with the Panthers punter, explaining how they met, separated temporarily and eventually reunited.
As of now, Wright remains Martin’s most recently publicly confirmed romantic partner.
Who Is Berkleigh Wright?
Berkleigh Wright is a model, former professional cheerleader and technology professional originally from Kansas.
She spent several years with the Denver Broncos cheerleading organization, including five seasons performing as a cheerleader. She also served as a team captain.
Alongside cheerleading, Wright developed a career in modeling.
In 2023, she became a co-winner of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s Swim Search competition and subsequently made her magazine debut in 2024, participating in a photoshoot in Belize.
She has also worked as a technical account manager for Oracle.
Her background in professional football has given her an understanding of the responsibilities and demanding schedules associated with Martin’s NFL career.
How Did Sam Martin and Berkleigh Wright Meet?
Sam Martin and Berkleigh Wright first met in Denver while Martin played for the Denver Broncos and Wright worked as a cheerleader for the organization.
According to Wright’s September 2025 Sports Illustrated interview, the two spent approximately a year getting to know each other.
The relationship initially developed casually, but Martin’s departure from Denver complicated their circumstances.
After he joined the Buffalo Bills in 2022, they went their separate ways to concentrate on their respective careers.
Wright continued cheerleading before moving to Los Angeles to pursue modeling opportunities.
Approximately two years later, they reconnected and resumed their romantic relationship.
The couple became more publicly visible in late 2024 and early 2025, when Wright began sharing photographs connected to Martin and his NFL career.
Do Sam Martin and Berkleigh Wright Live Together?
Yes. In September 2025, Wright confirmed that she was preparing to move to Charlotte, North Carolina, to live with Martin.
She explained that the couple had selected a home together and looked forward to sharing everyday experiences after previously maintaining a long-distance relationship.
These activities included cooking meals, watching movies, shopping and exploring restaurants.
Wright also revealed a special game-day tradition: preparing breakfast for Martin before he leaves for the stadium.
The couple also enjoys spending time with their dog, Leo, whom they frequently include in recreational activities.
Is Sam Martin Married?
As of now, Sam Martin has not publicly confirmed that he is married.
His relationship with Berkleigh Wright is well documented, but reliable reporting has not established that the couple has announced an engagement or wedding.
Sports Illustrated and other sports publications have consistently identified Wright as his girlfriend rather than his wife.
Therefore, Martin is best described as being in a publicly acknowledged relationship, without assuming that his marital status has changed.
Does Sam Martin Have Children?
As of now, Sam Martin has no publicly confirmed children.
Neither the Carolina Panthers nor established sports publications have reliably identified a son or daughter belonging to the veteran NFL punter.
Although Martin has discussed his close relationship with his extended family, there have been no verified public announcements confirming that he is a father.
In March 2026, the Carolina Panthers reported that Martin enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews in Charlotte.
However, those children are members of his extended family, not his own children.
Consequently, it would be inaccurate to assign him any children or provide their names without reliable confirmation.
Who Are Sam Martin’s Parents?
Sam Martin’s parents are Tom Martin and Debbie Martin. Both have supported his athletic development, particularly during his transition from high school sports to college football.
Their identities are confirmed in Martin’s official Appalachian State University athletics biography.
Sam Martin’s Father: Tom Martin
Tom Martin is Sam Martin’s father and a former college athlete.
According to Appalachian State University’s official athletics records, Tom participated in three sports at Central Michigan University: soccer, basketball and baseball.
His athletic background helped establish a sporting environment for his children.
Sam also participated in several sports during his youth, including soccer, basketball and football.
Tom supported his son’s transition into competitive football and encouraged him to develop his abilities as a specialist.
In a testimonial published by football kicking coach Jimmy Rafter, Tom and Debbie Martin praised the coaching and training their son received during his recruitment process.
The couple explained that Sam’s kicking development attracted interest from multiple college football programs, including Appalachian State, Georgia, Michigan, Arkansas, Kentucky and Auburn.
Their encouragement played an important part in helping Martin earn an opportunity to continue his football career at the collegiate level.
Sam Martin’s Mother: Debbie Martin
Debbie Martin is Sam Martin’s mother.
She has supported her son’s football career alongside his father, Tom.
Debbie’s involvement in Sam’s athletic development is documented through the family’s testimonial about his high school kicking coach.
The testimonial demonstrates the parents’ appreciation for the opportunities their son received through football.
According to a 2013 report about Martin’s NFL Draft selection, his mother grew up in the Union Lake area of Michigan.
That Michigan connection became especially meaningful when the Detroit Lions selected Sam in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Martin celebrated the occasion with family members at his sister’s home in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Debbie has generally maintained a lower public profile, and additional details about her professional background are limited.
Who Are Sam Martin’s Siblings?
Sam Martin has two publicly documented sisters, Alice Martin and Lucy Martin.
Both sisters were athletes who played college soccer at Furman University in South Carolina.
Their participation in college athletics reflects the family’s strong connection to competitive sports.
Alice Martin – Sam Martin’s Sister
Alice Martin is one of Sam Martin’s sisters.
According to his official Appalachian State University football biography, Alice played soccer at Furman University.
Her participation in collegiate athletics made her part of a family in which several members pursued sports beyond high school.
Although her connection to college soccer is documented, additional personal information about Alice is not widely available in verified reporting.
Lucy Martin – Sam Martin’s Sister
Lucy Martin is another sister of the Carolina Panthers punter.
Like Alice, Lucy played soccer at Furman University.
Her college athletic experience further demonstrates the influence of sports within the Martin household.
Lucy has generally remained outside the national media spotlight, and limited verified information is available about her personal life.
Which of Sam Martin’s Sisters Lives in Charlotte?
In April 2025, the Carolina Panthers reported that one of Martin’s sisters had lived in Charlotte for approximately 15 to 20 years.
Martin said this family connection helped him feel comfortable joining the Panthers because he was already familiar with the city.
In March 2026, he discussed enjoying time with his sister’s family, including attending dinners and baseball games with his nieces and nephews.
However, the Panthers’ reports do not clearly identify whether the sister living in Charlotte is Alice or Lucy.
It would therefore be speculative to assign that information to either sister without additional confirmation.
Does Sam Martin Have a Brother?
As of now, no brother has been identified in Sam Martin’s official college athletics biography or other reliable public reporting.
His documented siblings are his sisters Alice and Lucy.
There is no verified information confirming that he has a brother.
Sam Martin’s Family Connection to Charlotte
Sam Martin’s family played a meaningful role in his decision to continue his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers.
Before joining Carolina in 2025, he already knew the Charlotte area through visits to his sister and friends.
He had also worked with a kicking coach based in the area, giving him additional familiarity with the city.
After his first season with the Panthers, Martin decided to return to the team.
In March 2026, the Panthers announced that he had agreed to a new two-year contract.
Martin explained that remaining close to his relatives influenced his decision.
He particularly enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews, attending their baseball games and participating in family dinners.
These experiences showed him that he could balance an established professional football career with meaningful relationships outside the sport.
Sam Martin’s Childhood and Family Background
Sam Joseph Martin was raised in Fayetteville, Georgia, and attended Starr’s Mill High School.
Before becoming a professional punter, he was an accomplished soccer player.
According to Appalachian State University’s athletics biography, he earned all-state recognition in soccer as a junior and also played basketball.
Martin participated in high school football for only one season before continuing the sport in college.
Despite his relatively limited football experience, his strong kicking ability attracted college recruiters.
He eventually enrolled at Appalachian State University, where he developed into one of the country’s leading college punters.
In 2012, he received All-American recognition and was named the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision Punter of the Year by College Football Performance Awards.
His athletic achievements led to his selection by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Martin subsequently played for the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers.
His long NFL career reflects the dedication that began with the support of his parents and athletic siblings.
Sam Martin’s Personal Life Outside Football
Outside football, Martin has participated in charitable activities and maintained an interest in animal welfare.
In 2016, he established the Sam Martin Foundation, an organization focused on improving the lives of children with physical and mental challenges and supporting animal welfare initiatives.
His charitable work has complemented his activities as an NFL player.
Martin also enjoys outdoor activities, including fishing, an interest documented in his Appalachian State biography.
In his relationship with Berkleigh Wright, he enjoys relatively simple activities such as cooking, watching movies and spending time at home.
These aspects of his personal life demonstrate that the veteran punter values family relationships and experiences beyond professional football.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sam Martin’s Family
Who is Sam Martin’s girlfriend?
Sam Martin’s publicly confirmed girlfriend is Berkleigh Wright, a former Denver Broncos cheerleader and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model.
Is Sam Martin married?
As of now, Sam Martin has not publicly confirmed a marriage. His most recently documented relationship is with girlfriend Berkleigh Wright.
Does Sam Martin have children?
Sam Martin has no publicly confirmed children. He does, however, have nieces and nephews who live in the Charlotte area.
Who is Sam Martin’s father?
His father is Tom Martin, a former college athlete who participated in soccer, basketball and baseball at Central Michigan University.
Who is Sam Martin’s mother?
His mother is Debbie Martin, who supported his football development alongside his father.
Who are Sam Martin’s sisters?
Sam Martin’s sisters are Alice Martin and Lucy Martin. Both played college soccer at Furman University.
Does Sam Martin have a brother?
No brother has been reliably identified in publicly available information about the Carolina Panthers punter.
How old is Sam Martin?
Sam Martin was born on February 27, 1990. He is 36 years old.
Where is Sam Martin from?
Sam Martin grew up in Fayetteville, Georgia, and attended Starr’s Mill High School before playing college football at Appalachian State University.
Why did Sam Martin choose the Carolina Panthers?
Martin has explained that his familiarity with Charlotte, positive relationships with coaches and proximity to his sister’s family made the Panthers an attractive team.
Valentim Tereshkova is a sports journalist and NFL analyst specializing in team dynamics, scheme breakdowns, and league-wide trends. Covering everything from offseason roster construction and Draft developments to Sunday game plans and Super Bowl contenders, he delivers clear, sharp commentary on the gridiron. Valentim combines stat-driven analysis with a passion for football storytelling to give readers an expert look into the AFC and NFC.
