Seahawks star Chris Matthews' connection to Utah


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SALT LAKE CITY — Seattle Seahawks rookie wide receiver Chris Matthews caught his first pass in the NFL during the Super Bowl Sunday.

The team didn't walk away with the title, but Matthews is coming out a big winner. He was on the team's practice squad and worked at Footlocker before getting any play time.

As millions watched the rookie standout, Jada Matthews watched too, not from the stands but from her dorm room at the University of Utah.

"I didn't know he was in the game," said Jada. "I was trying to focus more on my essay and I would glance over. As soon as I heard his name, I was like, 'What? Was I listening to that correctly?"

Jada is the younger sister of Chris Matthews. She knows him as the protective older brother. The guy, though 7 years older, is one of her best friends. Now, the country knows him as that guy that kind of came out of nowhere.

"He's been working so hard for this," she said. "It's just an amazing opportunity, and he showed the world what he can do."

Athletic ability is something that runs in the Matthews family. Jada is attending the University of Utah on a full basketball scholarship. Jada had a game Sunday too. Though there wasn't nearly the amount of fanfare or anticipation, it's the reason she wasn't in the stands in Phoenix. It's a commitment to her team, something her older brother understands.


I didn't know he was in the game. I was trying to focus more on my essay and I would glance over. As soon as I heard his name, I was like, 'what? was I listening to that correctly?

–Jada Matthews, Chris Matthews' sister


"His favorite thing to say is 'We're Matthews and it's what we do.’ ”

She did however get a very special phone call right after the game.

"He was just telling me how proud he was of me and just to keep working hard."

Working hard is something Jada said she learned from the guy in blue and green.

"He helped me with my basketball career and everything," she said. "He helped me get to the gym doing free throws, layups, all the ball handling, so he was very helpful with me and my basketball career."

Jada didn't win her big game on Sunday either, but she said her whole family feels victorious.

Jada and the rest of the University of Utah women's basketball team will be playing in Southern California this weekend. She said her brother will be there cheering her on.

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UtahSports
Ashley Kewish

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