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Martin Zendejas (November 2, 1964 – December 19, 2018) was a Mexican placekicker in the Arena Football League (AFL) for the Los Angeles Cobras. He played college football at the University of Nevada.

Early life

Zendejas, was born in Zacapu, Michoacan. His parents moved the family to Chino, California. He attended Ramona Junior High School, before transferring to Don Antonio Lugo High School.

College career

Zendejas followed his older brother Tony and accepted a football scholarship from the University of Nevada. He was named a starter at placekicker as a freshman, after his brother graduated. He made 22 out of 27 field goals and 35 out of 37 extra points.

As a sophomore, he converted 19 out of 24 field goals, 50 out of 54 extra points, while setting a conference and school single-season record with 107 points.

As a junior, he made 14 out of 18 field goals and 53 out of 55 extra points. He also set the NCAA Division I-AA career scoring record in the 40-26 win against Eastern Washington University.

As a senior, he converted 17 out of 21 field goals and 27 extra points.

Zendejas during his career was named to three All-American teams. He still remains the All-time leading scorer at Nevada with 385 points. In 44 games, he made 80% of his career field goals (72 of 90), 96% of his career extra points (165 of 171), scored 385 points and did not have a field goal blocked.

In 2007, he was inducted into the University of Nevada Athletics Hall of Fame.

Professional career

On May 19, 1988, he was signed by the Los Angeles Cobras of the Arena Football League. He converted 4 out of 16 field goals (25%). On July 1, he was placed on the taxi squad to make room for kicker Nick Mike-Mayer. He was waived on July 7.

On May 11, 1989, he was signed as a free agent by the Los Angeles Rams. He was waived on August 29, after not being able to pass Mike Lansford on the depth chart.

Personal life

His brother Tony played professional football. His cousins Joaquin, Luis and Max also had success in professional football. Zendejas and his brother Tony owned mexican restaurants in southern California.

Death

On December 19, 2018, while sitting in a car with his suspected girlfriend at around 1:19 am, Zendejas was beaten in a hotel parking lot in Chino Hills, California by the woman's boyfriend. He died shortly after at the hospital, aged 54.

Ivan Mejia, 44, was booked on suspicion of murder in Zendejas' death, and detained at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, California.

References

1. ^ "They're Zimply Zenzational". Retrieved March 14, 2019.
2. "Martin Zendejas-obituary". Legacy.com. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
3. "Marty Zendejas Sets Division I-AA Record". Los Angeles Times. September 13, 1987. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
4. "Nevada to Induct Five into Athletics Hall of Fame This Fall". University of Nevada Athletics. September 4, 2007. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
5. "Marty Zendejas". Arenafan.com. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
6. "A Road Seldom Traveled : Cobras' Walton Changes Lanes From Wall Street to Arena Football". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
7. "Irvin Is Suspended for Drug Violation". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
8. "Invalid Access". Admin.xosn.com. Retrieved December 27, 2018. (registration required)
9. Martin, Erika (December 20, 2018). "Suspect Arrested After Allegedly Killing Man He Saw in Car With His Girlfriend Outside Hotel in Chino Hills". KTLA. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
10. Murray, Chris (December 20, 2018). "Wolf Pack Hall of Famer Marty Zendejas passes away". Nevada Sports Net. Retrieved December 21, 2018.

• 1964 births
• 2018 deaths
• Sportspeople from Michoacán
• Mexican players of American football
• American football placekickers
• Los Angeles Cobras players
• Nevada Wolf Pack football players
• Deaths by beating in the United States
• Mexican emigrants to the United States
• Players of American football from San Bernardino County, California
• People from Chino, California
• Zendejas family