Want to Know Martel Hight? Look at His Wrist

The most prominent thing on his wrist is a thick white bracelet with “VUFB” inscribed on it in black letters. “That’s for Vanderbilt,” he says. Hight representing his program shouldn’t be surprising at this stage, ever since he backed off his Louisville commitment in order to join it as a member of the 2022 high school class he’s rarely wavered. 

Hight went through a 2-10 season under Clark Lea and stayed rather than pursuing a different route. He was a focal point of its breakthrough 7-6 season. Now he’s one of the faces of its program as it’s gotten out to a 3-0 start that’s placed it at No. 20 in the AP Top 25. 

To complement that, Hight wears a band that acknowledges the Black Student Association on Vanderbilt’s campus, which he’s held close to his heart since arriving on its campus three years ago. 

Long before any of that, Hight stole a teal bracelet so faded that it’s now nearly illegible off of his sisters’ arm that says “Martha’s Lou.” 

“It’s where my little sister went,” Hight says. 

Paired with that band is one that Hight would likely advise his sister to take to heart “say no to vapes and tobacco,” it says. “It’s kind of self explanatory,” Hight said. “You shouldn’t do it.”  

Throughout Hight’s high school career, he likely saw plenty of his peers avoid the advice of that bracelet and suffer from the consequences. The Vanderbilt three-way star was more focused on a message from his high school defensive coordinator. 

His message “DGAAR,” is inscribed on a band that sits on Hight’s wrist. It stands for “Don’t give anyone a reason.” Hight’s high school coaches advised him not to give anyone a reason to doubt him or discount his performance. 

Below that sits a black and red bracelet inscribed “Hilinski’s Hope” which Hight wears to honor the life of former Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski–who died by suicide–and to promote mental health awareness. 

The Hilinski’s Hope foundation says it sets out “to promote awareness and education of mental health and wellness for student athletes. The Foundation’s mission is to educate, advocate, and eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness, while funding programs that provide student-athletes with the tools and resources that support their mental health and wellness.”

Hight indicates that his most important bracelet is perhaps the simplest. As he looks towards his wrist, he almost lights up as he reads off the text. 

“Jesus Saves,” the bracelet says. 

“It’s all about faith for Christ,” Hight says. “I have a strong belief in him. It’s just something I strive for. That’s who I play for, who I grind for every day.” 

Perhaps most are simple, but Hight’s wrist apparel has generally stayed the same since his high school days and doesn’t often come off. They represent his seemingly unchanging principles in an era of change in his life. 

Hight may not know how his workload will shake out between positions each week, but he knows that–no matter what–his principles are with him in all three phases.