The last 50 yards was a silent journey for Glenn Martinez. He was all by himself. No one was going to catch up to him and his moment.

Finally, Martinez’s solitary trip concluded and he was in the end zone. Still by himself, his Broncos teammates having not yet arrived to officially start the party, the skinny veteran of four NFL training camps and less than one season of live action arched his back and stretched his arms.

This was about so much more than six points on a Monday night football game.

This was about redemption after being cut seven times. This was about sticking with it. This was about the woman and baby in his life. This was about his parents, Tito and Ruth, whose names the Tennessee Titans players could read tattooed on the back of his arms as they unsuccessfully tried to chase him down. This was about representing a group of people foreign to this game.

“It was everything to me,” Martinez said this week, thinking back to his 80-yard punt return for a touchdown that gave the Broncos a 14-0 first-quarter lead in their 34-20 win over the Titans, which propelled them to 5-5 and a share of first place in the AFC West.

Martinez waves the AFC special teams player of the week award as a prize for his return, which was the first Denver punt return for a touchdown in four long seasons. It also was the first NFL touchdown by a player with the surname of Martinez — and that’s because Glenn Martinez, of Puerto Rican descent, is the first Martinez ever to strap on an NFL helmet.

“It was an emotional thing for me,” Martinez continued. “I waited so long for this, and for it to happen, it made everything worth it.”

There never were any guarantees that Martinez, who’ll turn 26 next Friday, would ever enjoy this moment. In fact, heading into 2007, the odds of Martinez sitting at home with his fiancee and their 4-month-old boy and watching the Broncos play seemed just as likely.

“It was the Broncos or nothing for Glenn, I believe,” his agent and close friend Brett Tessler said. “I truly think Glenn was at the end of his rope. His chances were running out. If it didn’t work out with the Broncos for Glenn, he probably was going to have to start looking for another line of work.”

Martinez agrees. He knows his professional football resume teems with near-misses, with just five career games and one career reception to his name before this season. He knew the phone likely wouldn’t ring much had he not taken advantage of this opportunity.

At points this summer, it seemed like the Broncos were about to pull the plug on Martinez. He had a nice start to a long training camp, but his quest to make the team was thwarted by a quadriceps injury that lingered. When the team broke into the regular season, Martinez was signed as one of the last practice-squad players. There he sat until Sept. 29, the day before Denver’s fourth game of the season.

Martinez got his chance only because of Javon Walker’s knee injury. He immediately took ownership of his chance. He was Denver’s No. 3 receiver and a returner against the Colts. The next week, in a 41-3 home loss to San Diego, Martinez was one of the few Denver players who performed well. Martinez, a self-described “action junkie,” plays every play with the urgency of a guy who was cut seven times.

“Seeing him play brings a smile to your face,” said Denver receiver Brandon Stokley, whose locker is next to Martinez and whose 48-yard TD catch from Jay Cutler against the Titans was aided by a timely block from Martinez. “You can tell how much this means to Glenn. It’s been a long road for him, and he is taking advantage of this opportunity.”

What happens when you are a 25-year-old player from Saginaw Valley State is you hold chances close. Martinez signed with Pittsburgh as an undrafted rookie in 2004. He was cut on the eve of the season. He was signed by the Lions in January 2005 and was cut by the Lions six times in 20 months. Add a stint in NFL Europe, and Martinez has been through the NFL grindhouse.

“I needed to make this opportunity work,” Martinez said. “I have a baby and I’m getting married. That was added pressure.”

The Broncos believe Martinez has found a home. They worked him out during a routine Tuesday session last season. He impressed the brass with a blazing 4.29 40-yard dash. For a 6-foot-2 receiver with nice hands and a fearless attitude, that was quite appealing. Problem was, Denver had no room, and soon afterward Martinez signed with the Lions’ practice squad again. However, in early January, the Broncos talked Martinez out of re-upping for round seven with the Lions to come out West.

“We were disappointed when we didn’t sign Glenn last year, and he was a guy we had our eye on in January,” Broncos GM Ted Sunddquist said. “There was enough ability there that it was worth it, and we’re glad we did. He has made himself a big part of this team.”

He also has become a big part of the Hispanic community. With fewer than 20 active NFL players of Hispanic heritage, Martinez has become a celebrity and a role model. Martinez, who lived in Puerto Rico for a time as a youth and who went to high school in Florida, routinely does interviews with Spanish-language media outlets. With Denver’s large Hispanic community, he has become a fan favorite. Martinez’s father works for U.S. Homeland Security in Puerto Rico.

“I always run into people here who are excited that a Martinez is playing in the NFL,” Martinez said. “We have a lot of baseball and soccer players but not many football players. I’m representing a lot of people.”

And that’s what his 80-yard journey was all about. It was about being Glenn Martinez.

Bill Williamson: 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com



About Glenn Martinez

Glenn Martinez burst into the limelight for the Broncos when he returned a punt for a touchdown Monday night against the Tennessee Titans. Here’s a little background:

He is one of the fastest Broncos, running the 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds.

He is of Puerto Rican heritage and is one of the few Hispanic players in NFL.

His father, Javier, works for United States Homeland Security in Puerto Rico.

Martinez was on the Lions’ practice squad last season.

He is the first player with the surname of Martinez to play in the NFL.

Latino infusion

A look at notable players of Hispanic heritage in the NFL:



Adam Archuleta S Chicago Bears



Luis Castillo DL San Diego Chargers



Jeff Garcia QB Tampa Bay Buccaneers



Roberto Garza OL Chicago Bears



Anthony Gonzalez WR Indianapolis Colts



Tony Gonzalez TE Kansas City Chiefs



J.P. Losman QB Buffalo Bills



Tony Romo QB Dallas Cowboys