Senior Feature -- Clint Matthews
10/28/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 28, 2004
Editor's Note: This feature ran in the Oct. 23 edition of the Mizzou football gameday program.
by Tara Hanna
Every time he steps on the football field, senior Clint Matthews feels like he has something to prove. Coming to Mizzou from Ozark, Mo, no one believed that he would play Division I football.
"People told me I was just wasting my time," Matthews said. "It's just a motivating factor to know that I'm doing something people never thought I could."
Throughout his high school career, football wasn't Matthews' only focus. Although he received All-Conference and All-District awards as a linebacker at Ozark High, he also excelled in basketball and track. Being a well-rounded athlete is something Matthews feels helps him in football because he can carry skills and discipline over from one sport to another. After competing for the state title his junior year of high school, Matthews knew instantly that he wanted to play college football and not just anywhere--at Mizzou.
After his senior season at Ozark High, Matthews didn't receive a scholarship to Missouri but decided to try out anyway and earned a spot as a walk-on. Redshirted for his freshman year, Matthews took the opportunity to improve his skills and make the switch from linebacker to tight end. This switch gave Matthews the push he needed to go from the sidelines to the playing field. Not only was it a good fit for him at tight end, but a good fit for the team as well. In the past four years, Matthews has become an invaluable member to the rush attack, a solid receiver with good hands and route running ability and a veteran tight end. Those aren't the only attributes Matthews brings to the Tiger football team.
"I love to promote enthusiasm and get everyone pumped up for the game," Matthews said.
So when you see them in a huddle rallying to get fired up for the game, you can know that Matthews is behind that excitement.
After accomplishing what he came here to do, Matthews only has one other goal in mind--winning the Big 12 Championship.
"When I started here, that goal was the unthinkable, and so far out of reach," Matthews said. "That dream can finally become a reality and that's awesome."
With the success the Tigers have seen so far, Matthews isn't the only one who is hoping that dream becomes a reality.
Four years ago, people would have never expected the Tigers to be playing for a chance at the Big 12 Championship, just like no one expected Clint Matthews to play football for Mizzou. No matter how much people doubted him, he never let that stop him. The same holds true for the Missouri Tigers, no matter how many students and fans doubt them, they are not giving up--they want to achieve their goal.
