Well, you asked me about Matt Rogers. He was a pro football player but, did he play in the NFL? Let me tell you what I know.
Back in the late 90s and early 2000s, Matt was really making a name for himself as an outstanding defensive back for the University of Georgia. He was fast like lightning and could tackle like no other. His talent grabbed the attention of NFL scouts and you could feel the electricity of possibilities in the air.
Real talk, we all thought the sky was the limit for Matt. He was gonna be a first round draft pick and everybody was gonna be talking about it. We imagined that he’d play for one of the powerhouse teams and definitely start in his rookie year. It was going to be a huge moment, a huge win for his family and all the folks back home.
Anyway, the moment finally arrived and it all went sideways. Come draft day, teams called players by the names we had never heard before. And when the dust settled, Matt’s name wasn’t called at all.
We were so disappointed, you know? We all put so much hope in it, so much faith. He had worked so hard and was so talented. We all asked ‘How could this happen?’ But the reality was that he just didn’t get picked.
Which brings us back to the question do you asked me. Well, unfortunately Matt never got to suit up or play a single down in the NFL, so the answer is no. It was a real tragedy and we felt it deep in our bones.
But, although he never got to play for the pros, Matt decided to keep pursuing his dreams. He packed up and went down south, joining the the Arena Football League. His team won numerous championships and Matt became a solid force in the league.
We heard stories of Matt’s rise to the top in the AFL. He was fast, just as he’d been in college, and could tackle with the finesse of a three-time MVP. We were so proud of Matt for standing up and taking on the challenge. He stayed in the AFL for about a decade and was making it feel like he’d made it to the NFL.
Still, despite all his success in the AFL, the fact remains that Matt Rogers never got to play for the NFL. He never got to show what he would have been able to do, if given the chance. It’s such a shame, but we are still so proud of Matt for not giving up.