Thursday, October 11, 2012
Former Hopatcong and Rutgers football star starts practicing with Big Blue again on Wednesday.
When Joe Martinek first found out he was back on the New York Giants as a member of their practice squad on Monday, he knew all of his hard work paid off. Since the Rutgers graduate and state's all-time leading high school rusher was one of the 15 players cut from the Giants in August after he was signed to the team as a free agent a few months earlier, he knew it wasn't the end of his NFL journey. Martinek didn't let the news in August discourage him, and kept up with his training with his personal trainer in Pearl River, N.Y. "I was basically just working out with my trainer, just waiting for the opportunity, knowing that I could get the call anytime," Martinek said. And he got that call Monday morning from his agent with the news that …
Monday, October 8, 2012
Former Hopatcong running back great tweets that he's back.
- SPORTS
-
Monday, October 8, 2012
He's back. That's the word from Hopatcong High School football great Joe Martinek, who is reportedly signing with the New York Giants to take a spot on their practice squad. "I'M BAAAAAAAAAAAAACK #nyg" read the tweet from Martinek's Twitter handle at about 4:20 p.m. on Monday. Martinek, who is a Rutgers graduate and the state's all-time high school rushing leader, was signed by Big Blue as an undrafted free agent in April. However, he was one of those cut when the team had to get from 90 to 75 players in late August. But it looks like he'll be getting reps as a member of the practice squad soon. Star-Ledger Giants beat writer Jenny Vrentas tweeted on Monday that the Giants are expected to sign Martinek on Tuesday. "Gives Giants another RB…
Monday, August 27, 2012
Joe Martinek Sr. says former Hopatcong standout is determined to keep football dreams alive.
Joe Martinek Sr. is always happy to hear from his football playing son, also named Joe. Only this morning he answered the phone with a little bit of trepidation. “I thought it was kind of early for him to be calling me,’’ Martinek Sr. said. “He said, ‘I’m sure you didn’t want to hear from me this morning.’ ’’ The football-playing Joe had some bad news. The Hopatcong High School and Rutgers University standout was waived by the New York Giants in order to get their roster size down to 75. The plan for the 6-foot, 225-pound fullback now is to keep in shape and trust that his Atlanta-based agent Don Henderson can get him an opportunity with another NFL team. “He’s in good spirits but it was tough for him,’’ Martinek Sr. said. “I’m sure he’s …
Martinek, the state's all-time leading high school rusher, was undrafted free agent.
- SPORTS
-
Monday, August 27, 2012
The New York Giants have made the required roster cut from 90 to 75, and former Hopatcong High School great Joe Martinek was among them, according to the team's website. Martinek, who is a Rutgers graduate and the state's all-time high school rushing leader, was signed by Big Blue as an undrafted free agent in April. In May, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said Martinek looked "very steady" in practices. Martinek had also recently scored a touchdown in the preseason for the Giants, taking a 14-yard reception in against the New York Jets in a game earlier this month. Many in town have embraced Martinek's quest to make the team, and he received a visit at camp by his family and Hopatcong High School Athletic Director Tom Vara in early August.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Chiefs' own Joe Martinek scores for Big Blue against the Jets.
- SPORTS
-
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Hopatcong High School graduate and the state's all-time high school rushing champ Joe Martinek is making a name for himself with one area NFL team and against another. The former Chiefs star scored a 14-yard touchdown reception for the New York Giants against the New York Jets in Saturday's preseason contest. Martinek's score helped his squad to a 26-3 victory. So how much did the Giants think about the score? It's featured on the team's website. Check out Martinek's TD dive here. Pay attention to the hurdle at the end that gets him over the goal line. Martinek and the Giants take the field next this preseason against the Chicago Bears on Friday at home at MetLife Stadium. The game begins at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on CBS, WCBSFM 101.…
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Former Hopatcong High School star getting set to make his run at Big Blue's roster.
- SPORTS
-
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
As NFL camps ramp up, established stars and newcomers alike are sweating, putting in the time they hope will win them a title. That also goes for the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants, and their former Hopatcong High School star running back Joe Martinek. Martinek, who was signed by Big Blue as an undrafted free agent in April after his collegiate career at Rutgers, is trying to make the roster playing the position that made him New Jersey's all-time high school rushing leader. On Monday, Martinek got a visit from some familiar faces. His father Joe Sr., and mother Roxanne were in attendance at the Giants' camp in Albany, N.Y. Martinek was also visited by Hopatcong Athletic Director Tom Vara and his children Matthew, 8, and …
Monday, July 2, 2012
Hopatcong football star Joe Martinek tells NJ.com that learning multiple positions has been complicated.
- SPORTS
-
Monday, July 2, 2012
NJ.com reports the New York Giants' Joe Martinek said while learning to play a trio of positions has been difficult, the rigmarole will be worth it by the end of training camp. According to the report, when asked if learning to play fullback, running back and special teams has been complicated, Martinek said, "Right now probably a little bit because I got to know two positions right now so that aspect is hard just to remember because on one play I can have two different assignments, but playing the fullback helps me play running back and then running back helps me know what the fullback's supposed to do. so it's harder right now, but at the end it helps each other." Martinek also said he didn't grow up a Giants fan, according to the report…
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Football star to play in memorial golf outing honoring resident, benefiting high school seniors.
A Giant will try to help raise money for Hopatcong students. A New York Giant. NFL running back Joe Martinek, a Hopatcong football legend, will tee off in the second annual Michael Wills Golf Outing at the Minebrook Golf Club in Hackettstown Friday. Tickets cost $120 per person and $480 per foursome. Registration for the scramble starts at 8 a.m. and tee off will be an hour later. Wills died in 2005 of muscular dystrophy. Proceeds for the tournament will go toward high school seniors who have overcome adversity, Wills family friend Joe Anthes said. Despite his condition, Willis graduated from Hopatcong High School in 2001 and received his County College of Morris associates degree in media arts in 2005. Anthes said Willis, whose fun has …
40.92743
-74.6708
Hopatcong High School
2 Windsor Ave, Hopatcong, NJ
/articles/giants-martinek-to-help-hopatcong-students-f70c0dfb
1267471
/locations/7284453
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Hopatcong football star hopes to make Super Bowl champs' roster.
- SPORTS
-
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
The New York Post reports Joe Martinek did a "nice job" during Giants rookie mini camp and looks to improve his stock during organized team activities over the next 10 days. “Whatever they decide ... I’m willing to do whatever they ask me,’’ Martinek told the Post. “I was a fan of college football in general,’’ Martinek said. “I watched professional, any game that was on, but my town and my best friends are all huge Giant fans. It does help. I have family and friends and the Jersey support. I’m trying to make the most of this opportunity. I might not get another one.’’ Veterans were planned to attend Wednesday's OTA, the report said. The paper also compared Martinek's path to the final 53-man roster to that of current Giants fullback Henry…
Monday, April 30, 2012
Hopatcong's football star consulted those closest to him before making the biggest decision of his life.
It was late, and inside it was loud. The downstairs living room, filled with family and close friends, had grown from a chatty gathering to a party where the conversations were boisterous and predicated on the same question: Where was he going? Outside, the family talked. Because for Joe Martinek to do this, it had to be the same way he made his last life-changing decision—the choice to take a full Rutgers football scholarship after leaving Hopatcong High School as the state's all-time leading rusher. He needed his family's advice. So when the discussion ended and they walked into the kitchen, Martinek went into another room to have a final talk with his agent, Don Henderson. When he emerged a bit later and told his family he had signed …
40.92743
-74.6708
Hopatcong High School
2 Windsor Ave, Hopatcong, NJ
/articles/family-helps-martinek-make-giant-decision
1267471
/locations/6910480
danette swanson
12:32 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Congrats JOE! Your hard work and dedication will always pay off! The very best of luck to you, we will be watching! God Bless YOU, The Swansons more ›