A viral video is winning over viewers after capturing a uniformed Long Island police officer approaching a group of teenagers playing soccer—only to surprise them with an impressive display of his own skills instead of sending them home.
Suffolk County Police Officer Kevin Martinez told The Post that he was patrolling SSG James D. McNaughton Memorial Park in Centereach at about 8 p.m. Thursday when he noticed the teens playing “the beautiful game.” A former college soccer standout, Martinez said he could not resist the urge to join in.
Video shows Martinez quickly taking control with slick dribbling and sharp footwork. In one clip, he sends a player tumbling with a quick change of direction; in another, he beats the goalkeeper by firing the ball through his legs for a goal.
“Say I won’t get out of the car right now and score,” Martinez recalled telling his partner. The officer said his colleague then dared him to approach the teens and challenge them to a game.
“You can tell at first they thought they were getting kicked out,” Martinez said in an interview Monday.
“Then I asked them, ‘Who wants to 1v1?’ and their reaction was priceless. I just remember them getting super excited,” he said.
Two of the boys immediately accepted, apparently expecting an easy victory over the officer. They soon discovered they were facing a former college star who had led all of Suffolk County in scoring during his senior season at Bay Shore High School.
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The video, which has attracted more than a million likes on Instagram, captures the moment the teens realize Martinez is not just another player stepping onto the field.
“At first they didn’t think I had skills, [but] once they saw me dribble they were in awe,” Martinez said.
“They were shocked and screamed when I passed both of them,” he added.
Martinez acknowledged that he got the better of the two players, but he also praised their effort. One of the teens managed to beat him and score, despite the officer carrying an additional 25 to 30 pounds of police equipment.
Martinez, who once spent his own time practicing on soccer fields, said he never imagined the encounter would become an online sensation. Still, he is pleased that it did, because he believes the moment highlights the value of positive engagement between police and the communities they serve.
“When I first joined, my goal was—and still is—to change the perception some people may have of police officers,” Martinez said.
“I strive to have positive interactions that can change someone’s perspective and show them that officers are approachable and genuinely care about the community,” he added.
“Those interactions can have a domino effect, strengthening community relationships and ultimately helping build the trust necessary to prevent and solve crimes,” he said.