NY Giant Martinek Gets Hometown Visit

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 star running back Joe Martinek.

Martinek, who 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 Taylor, 10.

"It is very exciting to watch Joe compete at this level of football," Vara said of the experience.

Martinek is attempting to become the second Hopatcong graduate to play in the NFL. The New York Jets drafted former borough resident and Temple lineman David Yovanovits in the seventh round in 2003. Yovanovits also played with the New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.

"He has made the Hopatcong community very proud of all his accomplishments on and off the field," Vara said.

Before signing with his home-state team, Martinek was contacted by the Houston Texans, Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers—coached by former Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano.

"Through his hard work and determination, he has earned the opportunity to become an NFL player with the returning Super Bowl champions," Vara said.

The Giants and Martinek hit the field for the first time on Friday night, when they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at 7:30 in Jacksonville. The game can be watched locally on MY9 and can by listened to on WCBSFM 101 and Sirius station 85.