Local sports legend born without legs killed in ATV crash in Dayton

A Dayton man born without legs who gained national attention for playing high school football has died in an accident involving an all-terrain vehicle.

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Bobby Martin, 32, died from multiple trauma following an ATV crash, according to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. His death was ruled an accident.

The crash was reported around 8:35 p.m. at the intersection of Kammer and Crestmore avenues.

Dayton police Lt. James Mullins said Martin was heading west on Kammer Avenue in a stolen ATV when he failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with a minivan going north on Crestmore Avenue, which does not have a stop sign.

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Martin was thrown from the ATV and hit the minivan’s windshield before landing on the sidewalk, according to a Dayton crash report.

He was taken by Dayton EMS crews to Miami Valley Hospital, where he died.

No other injuries were reported.

Martin garnered national attention in 2005 as a Colonel White High School senior for playing football despite being born without legs.

He was an inspiration to many, including his coaches, teammates and even opponents.

In 2017, a photo of him taken for a Sports Illustrated column was included in the publication’s 100 greatest sports photos of all time.

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