Zack Martin approached his retirement announcement the way he did every single game he played for the Cowboys. Confident and prepared. One of the best players in franchise history smiled as he took his spot on the podium between Jerry and Stephen Jones.

In the first round of the 2014 draft, the Dallas Cowboys owner made one more pass to speak to the player personnel department and scouts, looking to stoke interest in taking Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel and not guard Zack Martin.

Zack Martin cleared his throat frequently to control his emotions while the man most responsible for his decorated 11-season career with the Dallas Cowboys dabbed at his moist eyes a few times. The comic relief during Martin's retirement ceremony with his only NFL team came soon enough Wednesday with veiled references to 2014.