When the Cornhusker State’s current boys and young men were just little babies, they often needed 2AM. That’s when feeding or diaper changing time usually called. And if mama needed sleep, it may have been dad or another important male in their lives providing 2AM’s bare necessities.
Nebraska closes out its 2021 football campaign this Friday against Iowa.
I have two wishes:
The Huskers beat the Hawkeyes for the first time since 2014, and:
It is NOT Adrian Martinez’ last game as Nebraska’s quarterback.
In May, 2021, Martinez earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. If he wants, he can take his sheepskin and move on.
But, due to the COVID inflicted 2020 football season, he is eligible to play one more year at Big Red U.
As a Husker, Martinez’ – nicknamed 2AM (for the novice, he wears jersey #2) – win-loss record is the same as head coach Scott Frost. 15 wins and 28 losses.
Folks with limited football knowledge blame most of the losses on 2AM. There is an assumption that the back-up would do a better job.
I beg to differ.
Offensive linemen need to block, defenders need to tackle and knock down passes. We win as a team; we lose as a team.
Martinez’ is Nebraska’s most talented quarterback. Pure and simple.
In my humble eyes, Nebraska football is entertainment. But it is also a multi-million-dollar business.
Chief Executive Officers of multi-million-dollar businesses do all they can to recruit the best employees possible. And in the Nebraska football business world, Martinez falls into that category.
For a moment, let’s set aside the 15-28 win-loss record and the fact that Martinez has generated 10,762 yards in total offense in four years. There is something else that is extremely important.
Adrian Martinez is an excellent role model.
In our world of growing drug abuse, easily accessible internet pornography, and absent, deadbeat fathers, young people — especially boys — need someone to look up to.
Martinez is that someone. If I had a son between the ages of 8 and 18, I would want him paying close attention to Adrian Martinez.
2AM has been motherless since the age of 10, when Deanna Martinez passed away from cancer. Adrian accepted the hand which with he was dealt. He developed into an outstanding athlete, and more so, an outstanding person.
Want proof?
Watch Martinez handle the press after a tough loss or a good win. His demeanor is the same.
And he NEVER avoids the media.
Want more proof? Here are just some of his credentials.
Honors & Awards
– Team Captain (2019, 2020 & 2021)
– Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Semifinalist (2021)
– First Three-Time Team Captain in Program History
– Maxwell Award Watch List (2019, 2020, 2021)
– Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Watch List (2021)
– Walter Camp Award Watch List (2019)
– Davey O’Brien Award Watch List (2019)
– Manning Award Watch List (2019, 2020, 2021)
– Freshman All-American (2018, Football Writers Association of America)
– Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten (2018, Coaches & Media)
– Nebraska Offensive Back of the Year (2018, 2019)
» Three-Time Big Ten Freshman of the Week (Oct. 22, 2018; Nov. 5, 2018; Nov. 12, 2018)
– College Football Performance Awards Co-National Performer of the Week (Oct. 22, 2018)
– National Freshman of the Week (Athlon Sports, Sept. 10, 2018)
– Nebraska Outstanding Male Newcomer (All Sports, 2018-19)
– Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar of the Year Award Finalist (All Men’s Sports, 1 of 10, 2021)
– Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award (2021)
– First-Team CoSIDA Academic All-District 7 (2020)
– Academic All-Big Ten (2019, 2020)
– Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll (Fall 2018, 2020; Spring 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
– Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2019, 2020, 2021)
– Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2019, 2020, 2021)
Want more?
2AM has volunteered his time with the Nebraska Football Road Race, a Day of Service, Make-a-Wish, Husker Heroes, and local hospital visits.
Here’s hoping that Adrian Martinez is a member of the 2022 Cornhusker football team.
If not as the starting quarterback, then as the team’s lead role model.
For the current boys and young men of the Cornhusker State, 2AM is a bare necessity.