Former Weber State quarterback still enjoys NFL

Former Weber State University All-American quarterback Jamie Martin said he wants to finish his National Football League career in top form and with his current team, the San Francisco 49ers.
Martin grew up with a football in hand and a goal in mind.
“I played ball when I was little and in middle school and then when I got to high school I really started to gain my talent,” Martin wrote to The Signpost in an e-mail interview. “I knew I wanted to move on to a university and one day hopefully play in the NFL.”
He began his football success at Arroyo Grande High School in Arroyo, California. He played for WSU from 1989 to 1992.
“When I was a senior I got offered a lot of scholarships for lots of different schools,” he wrote. “When Weber offered me one, they had things a lot of the other schools couldn’t offer. I had always wanted to move to Utah; everything just seemed to fit and work, so I came here.”
Former WSU Football Coach Mike Price also responded to The Signpost by e-mail. Price said Martin was a high school standout, and a valuable recruit for WSU.
“Having Jamie on our team was a joy,” Price wrote. “He was easy to get along with and he worked hard.”
Despite his hard work, Martin struggled during his freshman year, but  improved significantly by his sophomore year.
“When he started playing for us, things were not clicking, but when they did he was a huge part of our success,” Price wrote. “He was a coach’s dream; all he wanted was to please everyone and play his heart out. While he was here we were a successful football team. He was just a great kid to be around. He was a great player and did a lot for our team.”
By the end of his senior year, Martin had earned Third Team All-American honors. He was the all-time leader in passing with 12,207 yards and his 87 career touchdown passes were a Big Sky record.
“It has been fun for me to watch him as he played for many teams in the NFL and done very well for himself,” wrote Price.
After graduation, Martin was not drafted into the NFL. Instead he signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Rams.
“I hoped I would get drafted,” Martin wrote. “When I didn’t, I decided it would be best for me to sign as a free agent and go play for teams that could work with me and offer me the best. I wanted to play for a good team but most importantly I just wanted to get out there and play; I really didn’t care that much.”
He eventually went on to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Cleveland Browns, the New York Jets and the New Orleans Saints.
He’s now at home as the third-string quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers.
“I moved around a lot at first because I couldn’t find anywhere that I really fit and my personal life was changing as well,” Martin wrote. “I went back to a few teams once or twice. But now I feel like I am home and I don’t plan on going anywhere any time soon. I like it here and pretty much plan to retire with the Niners. These guys are like my family and I enjoy playing with them.”
His wife Kelly added in an e-mail that the whole family is satisfied with his current team and location.
“Jamie is happy playing for this team,” Kelly wrote. “He is in his comfort zone and this is where he wants to finish his career. We have moved all over and this is our home now.”
Martin, who will turn 40 in February, wrote that he plans to play as long as he feels fit and healthy. He said he wants to retire from football healthy and with no injuries as a credit to himself, his family and his profession. He also said he feels it’s important to end on a high note, as he did when he graduated from WSU.
“It’s just fun to go out and compete,” Martin wrote. “It doesn’t matter what your record is or what the other team’s record is. You’re playing an NFL game, and you’re competing with great players.”