AUBURN, Ala. – Kinfolk. In anthropological or formal use, it is defined as a person's blood relations, regarded collectively. Defined by Auburn football senior Kam Martin, it is a term of endearment and a nickname that was quickly adopted by his teammates for the running back.
"I'm really friendly, I talk to everyone," Martin says. "Everyone calls me 'kinfolk.' Everybody back in my city is just so tight, and we always say 'kinfolk.' I started calling one of my teammates (at Auburn) 'kinfolk' my freshman year and before I knew it, everyone here was calling me 'kinfolk.'"
A nickname like "kinfolk" might be unique to Martin here at Auburn, but it is a term that he attributes to his hometown of Port Arthur, Texas – the town he claims helped him become the man he is today.
Though Martin lives in Auburn now, Port Arthur – which took a huge hit from Hurricane Harvey in 2017 – still holds a huge place in his heart and remains the reason why he gives his all at Auburn each and every day. He hopes to represent where he came from as best he can.
"My hometown made me a man," Martin said. "Growing up there, it's a small town down South. You have to get it out of the mud out there. Coming from where I come from, we're tough."
"Kinfolk" is not the only nickname or motto that Martin brought to Auburn from Port Arthur. The phrase "Catching Blessings" started out as just that, a simple phrase. But it has grown into something much bigger. He adopted it as a freshman at Memorial High School, and it has continued to shape his daily mindset – not only in football but in all of his daily ventures.
"I always wanted to catch my blessings by taking care of my business," Martin said. "'Catching Blessings' can mean anything. It can be opening up the door for someone, just doing the right thing and being the best you can be."
The motto initially caught on via t-shirts worn at Martin's football games, and it eventually grew to be a common caption found on his social media posts and branded on bracelets worn by him as well as the people of Port Arthur who are close to his heart. Since moving to the Plains, his teammates at Auburn have worn the same bracelets.
"I never take off my "Catching Blessings" bracelet," Martin said. "It's just a constant and daily reminder to be the best that I can be and to go catch my blessings every time I look down at it. It's been on my wrist since high school."
Wearing the bracelet is one thing. Living it out is a whole other thing, especially with some of the adversity Martin has faced since he's been at Auburn. But the first step to living out his motto, "Catching Blessings," is maintaining a next-play mentality both on and off the field.
"You have to have a next-play mentality," said Martin, who has rushed for 1,231 yards in 35 career games at Auburn. "That's how I live my life – with a next-play mentality. If you mess up, don't give up. You never know the next play. You might score a touchdown.
"I think that (way) even outside of football. If I mess up or make a mistake, I just think about the next play and how the next play could make a difference or make a positive impact."
What's the key to creating and practicing that next-play mentality? Working hard in everything you do. It's only fitting that Martin chose Auburn where the words in the school's creed can truly be transformative in an Auburn man's life. For Martin, he puts those Auburn values into action every single day. He truly believes in work, hard work.
"That part of the creed is a reflection of who I am as a football player and an Auburn man," Martin said. "I came here to work, to practice, to go to school every day with a positive mindset. When people say my name, I want them to say I was a good guy and I took care of my business. With all that, I know something special will happen for me. I want to leave a good legacy."
Martin is on schedule to graduate in December, and regardless of what comes next, he'll always be known as "kinfolk" at Auburn where he's become part of the family.