On Friday, April 6, the fifth grade students at Centre Elementary School received a very special treat. Martin Houston, former fullback for the University of Alabama and the Pittsburgh Steelers and graduate of Cherokee County High School, visited CES to give a motivational speech preparing the students for the SAT tests.

Keddrick Barrett, a fifth grader at CES gave the introduction. During Barrett's research of Houston he discovered that they are cousins, which made the day even more special for the young student.

Houston was born and raised in Cherokee County. He received a scholarship to the University of Alabama when he graduated from CCHS. Houston later married Cassandra Dobbins and they now have three children. After his years of football, Houston was called to the ministry and has established and pastors the University Worship Center in Tuscaloosa.

The former fullback began his speech with a video of his accomplishments on the field as the Crimson Tide's No. 35. The video was shown as proof that the students can achieve anything they desire. Houston stated that throughout every year of high school he was told he wasn't good to play professional or college football. His video proved that he was good enough and that with enough determination and desire, anyone can achieve anything