Familiarity with the community and the city
Las Vegas is home for Martell. He’s lived here, graduated from high school here, and has proven he can handle the temptations the average athlete faces here in Sin City. Moreover, he’ll have a great support system being this close to family and friends. Rough patches will come with better solace than he’d find in some of the other potential locations, which would force him into isolation instead of helping him regain composure.
Interacting with Gorman fans on the weekend also will help confidence. If he thought he was popular in Columbus, imagine how much of a rock star he’d be if he returned home to play with the hometown Rebels. He could roll into Gorman games, visit hospitals, work with aspiring young pee-wee leaguers. The community would embrace him wholeheartedly. He could be the “King of Las Vegas” if he so chose…well, maybe the second ‘King.”
As Las Vegas continues to evolve into a major league sport town and as the Raiders inch closer to their 2020 Sin City launch, Martell could be at ground zero for the community embrace of the Raiders. He could attend Raiders games, mingle with the fans, and enjoy the fruits of his legacy right here in the place it all began. This place is ripe with superstars like Major League Baseball stars Bryce Harper and Kris Bryant, Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall, Las Vegas Aces center A’Ja Wilson, and even Vegas Golden Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.
Martell would live like a king during his career and after his playing days are long-since finished.
Familiarity with UNLV’s coaching staff and offense
Speaking of Bishop Gorman, Martell is the former protege of UNLV head coach Tony Sanchez. Martell won more games than any quarterback in the history of Nevada under the fourth-year UNLV coach. He knows what to expect and what it would mean to Sanchez for Martell to take a chance on his struggling program.
Unless there is some sort of issue between the two (you never know), I can’t see why Martell wouldn’t consider coming home and staking his claim to raising his former coach’s program into something special. If Sanchez is the “Players Coach” he’s always been billed as, you’d think his former pupil would jump at the chance to come play the “Aragorn” to Sanchez’s “Gandalf.”
Rockstar status for life in a town of comps
The last time a local boy took the reigns at QB for UNLV, it was Green Valley grad Jon Denton in 1996. Denton was outstanding his first two years at UNLV. As a redshirt freshman in 1996, threw for 3,591 yards and 25 touchdowns. He had the top two passing days in Rebel history (503 yards versus San Diego State and 486 against Wyoming) that season while playing in 12 games and setting 10 NCAA freshman records.
Denton threw for 6,177 passing yards through his first 21 games at UNLV, a total that is still third on the school’s career list. His legend status in Vegas grew almost too fast, as he was suspended and then left UNLV after his second season for violating team rules. Still, Denton was a king here in town.
Now imagine Martell keeps his off-the-field issues in check while leading the Rebels to prominence. He could flourish here in Las Vegas, be the face of the program for years to come. Banners with his likeness would hang all over the new Raiders stadium. He’d be the ultimate draw, especially if he led them to a few bowl games.
And don’t forget how Vegas treats its own after their amateur days are done. I don’t think players like former UNLV quarterback (and punter) Randall Cunningham have ever struggled based on name recognition. He was handed the reigns to a high school program, he is loved by so many in the community, and he is one of the most recognizable athletes in town.
This could be Martell.
Don’t think for a moment his prospects as an NFL quarterback don’t improve with him coming home either. Dominating in the city where the Raiders play and will more than likely be looking for Derek Carr’s eventual successor in 2020, 2021. He could step right in, if someone else doesn’t grab him first.
There will be comped dinners, open bar tabs, street-side hugs and high-fives and plenty of love for the man who would be king. Being a celebrity in Las Vegas is one of the most enviable positions one could find themselves in. Just ask Harper and Bryant.
While it may be wishful thinking for Martell to even consider UNLV, fans can dream, can’t they? Martell is expected to be highly-sought after, if he were to make the move. Miami, Oklahoma — you name a top program without a QB, he’s probably going to field offers but, what if he came home and won with the Rebels?
The dude would be a legend for life in a town that still lathers up when thinking about a national basketball championship team from 27 years ago, long before he was ever born. So, come home, Tate. Your kingdom needs you.
Your throne awaits…
