D.J. Matthews Road Back to the Field was Paved with Lessons for His Children

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Indiana wide receiver DJ Matthews had dropped the ball on a punt return against Western Kentucky in late September last season. He knew he needed to jump on the ball, but could not stand up. While he recovered his fumble, Matthews knew something was wrong.

There was a feeling he had never felt before. Matthews had torn his ACL.

Up to that point of the season, Matthews had been the Hoosiers’ most explosive offensive weapon and was coming off an impressive performance against Cincinnati.

But here he was, down on the turf after a play he would never watch tape of.

This fall, Matthews is battling his way back into the player he was for IU last year. It has been nearly a year since that fateful night in Bowling Green, but Matthews is back on the field.

The road to recovery had not been easy for the graduate senior.

“At first it was mentally [tough]. I had to battle a lot of mental stuff so I could get back out there and get comfortable playing my game. “ Matthews explained. It was the first time he has had his heartbroken.

Matthews leaned on his family, especially his young children, Seyvnn and Little DJ, to find the light again.

“I was telling my parents that pretty much I was done.” Matthews said on Monday. “But the relationship I built with Coach Allen is very strong and he just helped me through my whole process, with religion, he made sure I was a man of God and a man of my word and then on top of that, my children. I never want to quit. My children look up to me. I’m their hero, so when they get older, they’re going to see the trials and tribulations that I went through and all of adversity that I faced. I don’t ever want them to see that I quit anything. Finish out no matter the outcome.”

The good news for Matthews is that he is beginning to feel like himself again and that is what the Hoosier offense needs.

“Yesterday was that day. I came out and I felt really great. I felt like myself again.” Matthews said. “I was still battling out of a slump [early in fall camp. So, just telling my teammates continually ‘I’m trying to get back, you know, I’m trying to get back. I’m trying to get back to myself. I want to feel better.’ Just praying and stuff and then yesterday just I came out and felt like myself. Today I just stacked another day and felt like myself again.“

Matthews will have a big role on this year’s team both on and off the field. He is being looked at as the lead of the wide receiver room as well as a positive role model for his children.

“I just have to be me. I’ve got to be me.” Matthews explained. “I’m not the type of guy to be yelling at people or trying to make sure everybody is doing everything right. If I see something, I’ll point it out. If people have questions, I help them. Not all the time do I know the answers, so they help me too. It’s just building a bond and building trust with one another and that’s just what we’ve been doing as a unit, just growing closer to each other.”

Matthews’ young daughter, Seyvnn, knew where her father was hurt and asked “Daddy, OK?” Well hopefully, this fall the answer will be “Yes” and they can chase each other around with a football in hand.