Prolebrity: Beyond the Game

Matthew's hometown is Jefferson, Ohio just outside of Cleveland. Matthew attended Jefferson High School where they retired his football jersey No. 5 in 2004. JHS is also adding him to its JHS Hall of Fame later this year. After high school, Matthew, known to his friends as Hatch, attended and graduated from Langston University in Oklahoma where he attended from 1993 to 1997. In 2008, Langston will also retire his football jersey No.19 which he wore while playing receiver at LU. In May of 1997, the Minnesota Vikings drafted him in the 7th round from LU as a receiver and was the 1st player drafted from LU since 1976. Matthew played in the NFL for 8 years. The first four with the Vikings, then the New York Jets and retired in 2005 from the Jacksonvile Jaguars. Since retiring, Matthew has successfully started his own movie and television production company. His comany Hatchet Films recently produced its first feature film called THE TAKE that was sold to Sony Pictures and was released in theaters in Spring 2008.

Personal Information

	Nickname:	Rook was my nickname in college. I was a freshman rookie that had skills and everyone just started calling me rookie and then it went to Rook and stuck.
	Hobbies:	Working!!!! (HATCHET FILMS presents THE TAKE DVD starring JOHN LEGUIZAMO and TYRESE GIBSON in STORES MAY 27th!!! For more info go to www.myspace.com/thetakemovie)
	Birthday:	May 1, 1974
	Favorite Athlete:	Michael Jordan
	Favorite Sport to Watch:	Football & Basketball
	Favorite Movie:	Pursuit of Happyness, Monster, Blow and all the urban movies in the 90s
	Favorite Singer / Band:	New Edition
	Favorite Restaurant:	Katana (West Hollywood, CA)

Professional Highlights

	Sport:	Football
	Team(s):	Amsterdam Admirals (2003) Jacksonville Jaguars (2003) New York Jets (2001) Minnesota Vikings (1997 - 2000)
	Position(s):	Wide Receiver
	Jersey Number(s):	89 when I was with the Vikings and 81 when I was with the Jets and Jaguars
	Draft Pick:	1997 / Round: 7 / Pick 235
	College:	Langston University (1993-1997, Major in Broadcast Journalism)
	High School:	Jefferson Area High School (Jefferson, OH)