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Charly Martin is one of those hundreds.

After spectacular high school and college careers, Martin, a former Piedra Vista Panther, has defied the odds and is currently a receiver for the Carolina Panthers in the National Football League. On July 6, Martin will return to his hometown to host a free, two-day, youth football camp at Piedra Vista.

Martin's road to the NFL has been a long and trying one that started in the northwest corner of the U.S. and is continuing to play out on the east coast in Charlotte , N.C.

Born in Washington state, Martin moved with his family to Farmington when he was in the fourth grade. From a long line of athletes — his great grandfather, Charles William Martin I, played football at Notre Dame and was once The Fastest Man in the World — Martin quickly signed up for football and basketball leagues in Farmington.

"My athletic gene pool goes back a bit but I just remember being around my grandpa and my dad and we always had a football so it was a family thing for sure," Martin said.

"Football has always been my love and my passion. Nothing else has even come close."

Martin's dream was to follow in many of his family member's footsteps to attend and play football for Washington State University .

Instead, recruiting led him to West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas . At WTAMU, Martin had one of the best careers in Buffs receiving history and earned The Associated Press Litlle All-America and Daktronics All-America honors after leading the nation in receiving yards in 2008, his senior season.

"I set my goals and my expectations pretty high for myself in college. I try to be the best at everything that I do. I had a mind set that I wasn't going to let anyone out-work me," Martin said.

At the end of his six-year career at WTAMU (Martin was awarded two redshirt years from the NCAA), Martin set more than 10 school records and still owns many of them today including most career reception yards (4,108), most touchdown passes caught in a season (22), and most touchdown passes caught in a game (5). He also continues to hold the Lone Star Conference records for most career pass receptions with 244 and touchdown passes with 44.

Also during those years, Martin earned his Bachelor's Degree in mass communications and sports broadcasting and is only three credits short of completing his Master's Degree in Sports Business. Martin plans to complete his Master's Degree next spring.

After his collegiate eligibility was over and in preparation for the NFL draft, Martin moved to Phoenix to train and get himself in optimal physical shape. Martin was not selected in the draft, but signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent afterward.

"I think my work ethic and dedication to the game carried me (to the NFL). I know I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for that hard work and the attitude that I had to work harder than everyone else. You know, the number of guys who get to go on from high school football to college football is slim. Then the number of guys who can go from college to the NFL are hardly any. So I always knew that if I was going to get an opportunity it would be through hard work and dedication and selling out for the game of football," Martin said.

For five months, Martin practiced and trained with the Chargers through the NFL preseason. As Martin continued to show improvement and promise, he was dealt a crushing blow. The Chargers released Martin on Sept. 5, but Martin was convinced his time in the NFL was not over.

"It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to deal with in my life, especially when you've dedicated your life to something for so long," Martin said of being released.

"There was a period within 24 hours I was told I would be staying, then being sent home. So I went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. Honestly, it was the first time that I had been told that I couldn't play football and that I was didn't make a team so it was a tough day for me," Martin said.

Just four days later, on Sept. 9, Martin was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad.

"My agents got to work and did great and I have truly found a home in Carolina and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now," Martin said.

He remained on the Carolina practice squad until Nov. 17 when he was promoted to the active roster. He saw most of his action on special teams for the Panthers, but did catch one pass for six yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"I've taken a pretty rough path and it hasn't been the normal route to the NFL, but I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and this is where I am meant to be right now," Martin said.

Martin continues to gear up for the Panthers and even with a busy summer schedule that includes organized team activities and other practices in North Carolina , Martin will return to Farmington to host the Charly Martin Football Academy Youth Camp.

"As far back as I can remember, even in high school, I've said that football is my passion and now it's my profession. It's how I survive, but one of the reasons that I wanted to make it to this level was to be able to give back. I'm a normal guy, I'm no different than any one else that graduated from Piedra Vista, but I have been given a very special platform, to play in the NLF, and because of that I am able to give back and do these kinds of things and that makes me so excited," Martin said.

An honor, not an obligation to Martin, the camp is free and open to all children from second to eighth grades.

"I get goosebumps every time when I think about going back, giving back, giving kids an experience and promoting football in the area," Martin said. "At that age, kids love athletics and it's something special to get kids to believe that if they truly believe in something, no matter what people say, you know, You're too slow,' or your this and that. If you believe and set your mind to it that you can accomplish your dreams."

Although he is far from home in Carolina , Farmington is never far from Martin's thoughts, a big reason for his return to the Four Corners .

"I look back to my Farmington days all the time and especially now being a Panther again, I think about it. Farmington was a huge part of my life, playing Yaffle football to Piedra Vista football and I know it took everyone of those steps to get me where I am today," Martin said.