The Husky Haul
Fansided

The Passion Of Joe Mathis

By Bret Stuter

Sep 3, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies linebacker Joe Mathis (5) celebrates a tackle with defensive back Jojo McIntosh (14) against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first quarter at Husky Stadium. Washington won 48-13. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies linebacker Joe Mathis (5) celebrates a tackle with defensive back Jojo McIntosh (14) against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first quarter at Husky Stadium. Washington won 48-13. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 11
Next
Sep 19, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Jaydon Mickens (1) leaps into the stands to greet the fans before the start of a game against the Utah State Aggies at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Jaydon Mickens (1) leaps into the stands to greet the fans before the start of a game against the Utah State Aggies at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

Savitri Saves The Dream

Football is a sport that involves fans. A player connects to fans and that energy becomes fuel to rise up, to persevere, to beat the odds.   Even when that cheering falls to one voice. In fact, especially when everything falls to that one voice:

"“My wife is a great supporter of our life and of me. I want to provide and give her the same 100 percent she always gives me. She is the alarm, the pep talk, the inspiration, the motivation. She sets a high bar but she keeps me humble. I have two stomachs to feed and she prepares the food my body needs to achieve my top performance. She gives so much. The road back was about her, and us. And with her, we have our son.”"

Find Your Way Back

The road back. On one hand, a path from cheers to the voice in your head. On the other hand, it’s the descent from scoreboards to mental counts of how many reps you just performed.  In the end, it’s the trek from box scores to medical progress charts.

More from Huskies in the NFL

When you are injured and your teammates play on, the fire doesn’t extinguish. The passion doesn’t end. It burns. White hot. To many young men, that fiery passion remains unfocused, unchanneled.  Raging emotions can become destructive without focus.

Meet Little Joe

Joe Mathis had that focus. His name was Joe Sahil Mathis IV, his son.

"“He’s opened my eyes to everything. From the moment I first laid eyes on him, everything sorted itself out. I’m his example. Whatever I do I have to be the one to show him the right way to do things. I have a great bond with him. He kicks his legs. If i try to duck in and out right away, he has a fit. I want to get to the NFL to build a legacy for my son. Success can happen if I remain focused"

The road back is not just back onto the field. It’s not even back to a starting role. This road back is the steep climb to the NFL.  The path many healthy athletes are unable to make, Joe Mathis is undertaking. But this is not about him. This is about his passion

Home/Huskies in the NFL