8A the university daily kansan
raising the bar
thursday,may13,2004
PATTERSON: Football player brings dreams to Univ.
That is the dream," Matts said. "I just see a lot of fans crying. ©12 Winning a lot of games, a big adrenaline rush.
on the fall of 2001, when Matt was looking ahead to high school graduation and thinking about where to study college, he had many updates.
DeMarcas said between 20 and 25 schools expressed interest in Matt, but most failed to offer scholarships after walking how small he was.
Still, Matt had a variety of full scholarships offers from smaller schools, including Northwest Missouri State.
William jason College, and Stephen of Missouri State.
His family, his coaches and his friends were all pushing for him to be an BMS Bear. He would get money to play and he could likely start or at least get good playing time. His older brother had played football at a smaller school before him, spending a year at running back at Missouri Valley College. Man looked poised to follow in his brother's footsteps.
Kansas had not offered Matt a scholarship, but the coaches had invited him to walk on to the team. Football coach Mark Mangino said the staff had looked at Matt and determined he would be a good addition. "Whether you're a scholarship player or a walk-on, you have to be evaluated," Mangino said. "Our coach-attack has to believe you'll be an asset."
Ultimately, Matt traded the scholarship and the prominent role he would have taken on at SMS for no scholarship and a red shirt at Kansas.
ing staff has to believe you it be an asset.
In Kansas, Matt also saw a place where he could contribute to an up-and-coming program
"Everything just fit well at KU." Matt said.
The people around Matt were quick to support his decision, though they had initially advised him to act differently. "One of his dreams was to play at a Division One college," said Myric Rollison, Matt's former high school teammate. "I high school coaches wanted him to go D2, D3. I told him to go for the best of it." Corey Patterson, Matt's older brother, said Kansas was a good place for Matt.
something bigger and with more diversity.
Matt hasn't regretted his decision, though sometimes he feels discouraged.
Kurley Patterson, Matt's older brother, said Kurtus was a good piece of art. "Him being at KU pushes him," Corey said. "We've been going to small schools our entire life. We wanted something bigger and with more diversity."
Matt hasn't regretted his decision, though sometimes he feels discouraged. "I feel ways played football," Matt said. "When you're not playing and you see everyone else playing, you want to be out there having fun with your teammates."
It was Matt's idea to play football, his parents said. His father, Vernon Pattern said he had to convince his wife just to let her youngest of four children play. "It was okay with me," Vernon said. "But mom was afraid he'd get hurt." Vernon had always wanted to play football when he was a kid, he said, but his parents had never let him. He said he didn't want to deny his son the opportunity he had so strongly wished for. Eventually, his mother, Pamela Patterson, also warmed to the idea. "It was important to him," Pamela said. "I wanted to be a better man."
COUNT ON ME
"It was important to him," Pamela said. I wanted it be there to support him."
Matt loved the sport from the beginning, she said, and it was apparent that he had a knack for it. As a kid, he created a buzz every time he carried the ball and the crowd would wait at games to see how many touchdowns the young slasher would score that day, she said.
His brother Corey said he
remembered one time when Matt's Little Dolphins were playing the Gators, the only other good team in the kids' league. The Gators also had a really good running back and the two boys dueted back-and-forth.
Matt's team was on offense; Matt took the ball on a handoff and was knocked flat.
The next play, Corey said, Matt broke through for a 70-yard touchdown run.
"His work ethic is incredible," Corey said.
"Without the grace of God, we wouldn't be where we are today and Matthew understands that," Corey said.
As Matt's talent flourished Corey said he never once heard his brother brag, which Corey attributed to Matt's religious faith.
With the exception of the University, Matt has been in Catholic school his entire life. He makes the trip to Saint Louis Catholic Church in Kansas City whenever he gets the opportunity.
"I pray everyday," Matt said. "For my family, for others, for me
well-being."
Growing up, Matt's athletic talents weren't limited to football. He was known to hit home runs on the baseball field—once awarding his dad a Father's Day grand slam. He also played basketball, earned medals running track and played ice hockey on the side.
ice hockey on the field Eventually, Matt shed them all except for track, so he could focus on football.
Fork in the Road
Mattalls Monte Terrill his brother. Friends since the sixth grade, Monte said the two just hung out with a common group and became steadfast friends. They clicked, he said, like two parts of a puzzle coming together.
Monté was there to console Matt when an Archbishop O'Hara loss to high school football juggernaut Platte County left Matt in tears. Matt had run for 175 yards in the game against highly favored Platte County. It wasn't enough to ward off the 35-21 loss.
He was there in middle school to sell pizza with Matt at a fundraiser,
Monté Terrill, Kansas City, Mo., resident and Patterson's best friend, has shared many memories with Patterson over the years.
then ran away with him after a teacher caught them eating it. He wasn't even mad when Matt got caught and told on him.
And so it made sense that he and his family were there when 16-year old Matt needed a place to live after his family followed a job to Houston. Matt and Monte shared a roof and a room. It was then that they became "brothers."
Kit Leffler/Kanse
"There'd be times when I missed my mom and dad, missed my family and felt alone," Matt said.
After three years of shining at Archbishop O'Hara High School, red shirt freshman Matt Patter said he accepted his limited role on the Kansas football team.
The transition was equally hard for his family.
"My husband and I — we prayed a lot and talked to Matt and friends and coaches and decided to let him stay and finish up his high school career," Pamela said.
She said she would fly to Kansas City as often as she could and take Matt back to Houston with her for visits. They talked continuously.
visits. They made the move was especially tough on Corey, who said he always saw his little brother as his best friend, even if Matt was four years younger.
even Mark was this year when "I worried a lot about him," Corey said. "We grew up together, slept in the same room in bunk beds, he's always been my little brother."
Though relatives questioned the family's decision, he never doubted that Matt would do the right thing. Matt's always been about doing the right thing, Corey said.
right thing, Corey said.
He recalled a time before Matt left for college when he was down in Houston. Corey drove his younger brother to the airport and when he got back to his car, he found a note on the seat.
Matt and his family still talk constantly and never miss spending holidays together. They discuss life, happiness and of course Kansas football.
he found a note on the floor.
The note was from Matt. It apologized for things Matt had done to his brother when he was a young kid — the everyday pranks and annoyances that little brothers pull on their older siblings.
urs plumb on then once taking
"He apologized for stuff I didn't even really think about anymore," Corey said. "It takes a big man to do that."
It's about noon on a sunny Thursday and the windows of the sprawling, weights-filled Anderson Family Strength and Conditioning Center look out to a serene and summery Daisy Hill.
Matt stands on one of 26 Olympic platforms, his arms held straight above his head, hands grasping a barbell and holding it up.
Work and Reward
He's short compared to his teammates around him. His height has earned him the nickname Sproles, after the 5-foot-7 running back sensation Darren Sprooks from Kansas State. He doesn't seem to mind the comparison, and he's quick to list
the great short running backs of his time: Sproles and NFL hall-of-famer Barry Sanders top he list.
latter Barry said.
The bar still held high over his head, he squats down and stands up, repeating the action six times for each of three sets. His lips are pursed in concentration; his eyes betray no lack of focus. Fresh from an abs workout, just beginning the day's weights routine, his gray T-shirt is already damp and sweat glands on his face and head.
greens on his knees.
Later in the afternoon, Matt will work out again. He'll cap the evening with dinner and his economics homework back at his apartment in the Jayhawker Towers.
The ball is so small. Until the end of the school year, he will run or lift weights at least four days a week. He'll work out throughout the summer and two-a-day practices will start some time in early August. Then football will really start to consume his life, with practices, meetings and film-watching sessions occurring five, sometimes six days a week.
Such is the life of Matt Patterson, where football never ceases, even after spring practice is finished and the fall is still inno;hs away.
When he came to Kansas, Matt had no delusions of instant playing time. He knew he would take a red shirt, and part of him even welcomed the year of preparation
cooled the year in preparation,
"I wasn't ready for college time," Matt said. "The game is played extremely fast. You just can't do the stuff you did in high school."
Last year, with the red shirt finally off, Matt expected a little more playing time, but he was disappointed again. Ever the eternal optimist, he still sees bright possibilities for his football future.
This kind of positive attitude is what wins him the support of his teammates and coaches.
"Ive never heard him complain once," said Adam Barmann, freshman quarterback.
"For a guy whose not on scholarship, that's unbelievable."
"For a walk-on, attitude is everything." Henderson said. "It is hard, often overlooked work. Matt does it because he loves the game, loves the camaraderie, and being part of the whole."
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Matt's running backs coach, Pat Henderson, said Matt provided the team with the intangible qualities.
But Matt has more than attitude; he has talent. He still looks forward to a scholarship in the future, an award often offered to walk-ons who step up and get decent playing time.
"If he continues to work hard, I don't discount him," Mangino said. In his two years as coach of the Jayhawks, he said he had promoted about 10 players from walk-on to scholarship status.
For those who've known Matt his whole life, his breakthrough is just a matter of time.
Hisfatherjusttellshissontobeready.
Flissar praises:
"I say keep doing what you're doing." Vernon said. "You'll get a chance to play."
Life
Matt has never defined himself as just a football player, a balance that his friends and family recognize and appreciate.
"He has a plan A, plan B and a plan C for his life," his mother said. "I want Matt to be successful in whatever he chooses to do."
A business major, Matt said someday he wanted to own his own business, liking the idea of being in control and setting his pace.
control and setting him in control. His father Vernon said the family had always stressed that school came before football, but that was never a problem with Matt, whom he described as an intellectual child who loved strategy games such as chess and checkers.
Matt's intellect matured much like his athletic ability, with a 3.5 grade point average in high school. His decision to come to
Kansas, he said, had as much to do with his academic ambitions as it did with his athletic ones.
People who know Matt also describe him as a caring and compassionate person and a good listener. His high school coach Jim DeMarea said even without athletic talents, Matt was still "one of those kids that every family wants as a kid."
Matt and Monté are still close.
Earlier this year, Monté wrecked his car and Matt called and offered to help. He didn't hesitate to lend his best friend the $200 he needed.
"He had the money." Monte said. "He gave it to me."
Though Matt is in Lawrence and Monte is in Kansas City, the two get together on a weekly basis for a movie or to hang out.
Matt also maintains a close relationship with his family in Houston. His brother Corey said he didn't think there was a person that knew him better than Matt did, and whenever Matt was in town, the rest of Corey's life got put on hold.
"I really do love him." Corey said. "There's nothing I won't do for him. If I got married, he would probably be my best man."
probably be my greatest For Matt, his relationships with people are what make life rich, regardless of his success on the football field.
Matt sometimes thinks about life without football, he said. He thinks about it now, starring quizzically at the ceiling as he leans back in his couch. He thinks about the time he would have and the things he could do if the onslaught of workouts, practices and games suddenly ceased.
But the look of longing in his eyes betrays even these thoughts, and he shakes his head at the notion of quitting.
"One day I want to play," Matt said. "And one day I think I am going to play."
— Edited by Guillaume Doane
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