MarTay Jenkins

Jenkins was born in Waterloo, Iowa, and attended Herbert Hoover High School in Des Moines, Iowa as a freshman and sophomore. He then transferred to Des Moines North High School, where he practiced football, basketball and track.

Jenkins attended North Iowa Area Community College. He was part of the 26–24 win against Rochester Community and Technical College in the 1995 RC Cola Bowl.

He transferred to the Division II University of Nebraska Omaha in 1996. As a sophomore, playing in a run-oriented offense, he led the team with 36 receptions for 848 yards, 8 receiving touchdowns (school record), 4 carries for 42 yards (10.5-yard avg.) and one rushing touchdown. Against North Dakota State University, he tallied 166 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. He was an All-Nebraska NCAA Division II selection by the Omaha World-Herald.

In 1997, he suffered a torn left anterior cruciate ligament in the opening game against the University of Central Missouri, after making a 32-yard touchdown reception, forcing him to miss the rest of the season.

Jenkins returned to complete his senior season in 1998, leading the team with 29 receptions for 540 yards (18.6-yard avg.) and 3 receiving touchdowns, while also posting 10 carries for 171 yards (17.1-yard avg.) and 3 rushing touchdown. He averaged 30.3 yards in 7 kickoff returns. Against North Dakota State University, he had 7 receptions for 147 yards, 2 receiving touchdowns and a 34-yard run. He received All-Nebraska NCAA Division II honors by the Omaha World-Herald.{{cite web |url=https://globegazette.com/sports/former-niacc-football-player-martay-jenkins-inducted-into-njcaa-hall/article_bd53ca90-1a0a-11e1-aea3-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Former NIACC football player MarTay Jenkins inducted into NJCAA Hall of Fame|date=November 28, 2011 |access-date=September 7, 2022}}

He finished his college career registering in less than three full seasons, 67 receptions for 1,439 yards (21.5 avg.) and 12 touchdowns. He also returned 24 kickoffs for 597 yards (24.9) and one touchdown, while rushing 14 times for 213 yards and 4 touchdowns. He helped the Mavericks win North Central Conference titles both seasons he played, which were their first league championships in 12 years.

In 2007, he was inducted into the University of Nebraska-Omaha Athletic Hall of Fame.{{cite web |url=https://omavs.com/sports/2017/6/29/hall-of-fame.aspx|title=Hall of Fame Inductees|access-date=September 7, 2022}} In 2011, he was inducted into the National Junior College Athletic Association Football Hall of Fame.{{cite web |url=https://www.njcaa.org/sports/fball/2011-12/releases/2011-10-11_15370.html|title=NJCAA Football Hall of Fame Releases Inductees of 2011 Class|date=October 11, 2011 |access-date=September 7, 2022}}

Jenkins was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round (193rd overall) of the 1999 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=1999 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1999/draft.htm |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He was released on September 5.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/06/sports/transactions-380482.html|title=Transactions|website=The New York Times|date=September 6, 1999 |access-date=September 7, 2022}} He was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals on September 6 and played in 3 games, after being declared inactive in 13 contests.

In 2000, he played in 16 games finishing with an NFL record of 2,186 kickoff return yards. On December 10, Jenkins broke three league records in a 44-10 Cardinals loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, that included the record for kickoff returns in a season, kickoff return yardage in a season and combined kickoff and punt return yardage in a season.{{cite web |url=https://www.upi.com/Falcons-ink-MarTay-Jenkins/87481048879965/|title=Falcons ink MarTay Jenkins|access-date=September 7, 2022}}

On September 22, 2002, Jenkins recorded a 65-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Jake Plummer, which allowed Plummer to surpass 15,000 yards passing for his career.{{cite web |url=https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2002/09/23/chargers-rely-on-defense-in-win/31615249007/|title=Chargers rely on defense in win|website=Gainesville.com|access-date=September 7, 2022}} On November 3, he suffered a fractured scapula.{{cite web |url=https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2002/11/04/Arizona-loses-Jenkins-to-shoulder-injury/69931036431873/|title=Arizona loses Jenkins to shoulder injury|access-date=September 7, 2022}} On November 5, he was placed on the injured reserve list.{{cite web |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2002-11-07-0211070172-story.html|title=Transactions|website=Baltimoresun.com|date=November 7, 2002 |access-date=September 7, 2022}}

Jenkins was released in 2003, after asking for a contract similar to the $3 million-a-year contract that San Diego Chargers wide receiver/kick returner Tim Dwight had signed the year prior. On March 21, it was reported that the Houston Texans offered Jenkins a contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-re-sign-Stevens-8-other-free-agents-2105724.php|title=Texans re-sign Stevens, 8 other free agents|website=Chron.com|access-date=September 7, 2022}} One week later, Jenkins was signed to a contract with the Atlanta Falcons on March 28. He was released by the Falcons on August 30.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/31/sports/transactions-123013.html|title=Transactions|website=The New York Times|date=August 31, 2003 |access-date=September 7, 2022}} On September 11, he was re-signed by the Cardinals, however, he failed a team physical nullifying the contract. On December 30, Jenkins was signed to a futures contract by the Denver Broncos, reuniting with quarterback Jake Plummer.{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2003/12/31/the-dotted-line/00919ca4-63d3-440a-b2f1-94812d225647/|title=The Dotted Line|website=Washingtonpost.com|access-date=September 7, 2022}} He was released on July 27, 2004.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=1847531|title=Top pick will compete to start at LB|website=ESPN.com|date=July 27, 2004 |access-date=September 7, 2022}}

On October 21, 2004, Jenkins signed with the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League.{{cite web | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/rattlers-add-martay-jenkins/n-3094784|title=Rattlers add MarTay Jenkins|date=October 21, 2004|access-date=September 7, 2022}} He was released on January 21, 2005.{{cite web |url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=21|title=Arizona Rattlers Historical Transactions|website=ArenaFan.com|access-date=September 7, 2022|url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314200853/http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=21|archivedate=March 14, 2015}}

On March 2, 2005, he signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.{{cite web | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/more-speed-added-to-stamps-roster/n-3131820|title=More speed added to Stamps roster|date=March 3, 2005|access-date=September 7, 2022}} For the season, he recorded 25 receptions for 382 yards and 4 touchdowns.

{{BLP unreferenced section|date=April 2025}}

Jenkins was the Founder, CEO/President of Stand Out Sports an athletic training company in Arizona. He married Camille Jenkins in 2006.

{{Reflist}}

{{Cowboys1999DraftPicks}}

{{NFL kickoff return yards leaders}}

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Category:1975 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football return specialists

Category:American football wide receivers

Category:Arizona Cardinals players

Category:Arizona Rattlers players

Category:Calgary Stampeders players

Category:Dallas Cowboys players

Category:Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks football players

Category:North Iowa Area Trojans football players

Category:Players of American football from Des Moines, Iowa

Category:Players of American football from Waterloo, Iowa