Defensive Player of the Month: Chris Martinez

Congratulations to Chris Martinez of the Blitz, who has been named Montreal D1's Defensive Player of the Month for January! ## January Stats - 5 interceptions (league-leading) - 2 interceptions returned for touchdowns - 12 pass breakups - 18 total tackles ## A Season to Remember Martinez has been a ball hawk all season, but January saw him take his game to another level. His 5 interceptions in four games tied a league record, and his two pick-sixes were both game-changing plays. "I've been studying film more than ever this year," Martinez explained. "When you know what routes receivers like to run and what looks quarterbacks are reading, you can anticipate where the ball is going." ## Coach's Perspective Blitz head coach Robert Chen praised Martinez's impact on the team's defense. "Chris is the heartbeat of our secondary. Other teams have started avoiding his side of the field entirely, which opens things up for our other defenders." ## What's Next With the playoffs approaching, opposing offenses will have to figure out how to deal with Martinez and the Blitz defense. So far, no one has found an answer. Honorable mentions for Defensive Player of the Month go to Thunder safety David Nguyen and Lightning linebacker Michel Tremblay.