The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Driven: Matt Nordgren
09.08.2005 | Football
"The principle is competing against yourself. It's about self-improvement; about being better than you were the day before."
-Steve Young, ex-49ers quarterback and NFL Hall of Famer
Matt Nordgren learned a valuable lesson when he was twelve years old. He learned to juggle.
George Nordgren, Matt's father, approached him with four tennis balls and began showing him juggling techniques.
"I told Matt that when he could consistently juggle the first two tennis balls without dropping them, then he could add the third ball. After that, a fourth," George explained.
Matt tirelessly practiced juggling two tennis balls until he had it down. Then he added a third, and was soon effortlessly tossing four tennis balls with the confidence of a magician.
More important than the skill of juggling, though, Matt learned a priceless life lesson. Mr. Nordgren had engrained the true value of drive and determination in his son.
Now a fifth year senior, the almost 23-year-old Nordgren has experienced many things that will help shape his life for the future while working through school and vying for the quarterback job with the likes of Chris Simms, Chance Mock, and the Longhorns' current starter, Vince Young.
"It was kind of tough for me to be behind Chris," Nordgren noted. "Then, Vince comes along, but they are both amazing athletes."
The Dallas native had never let an obstacle get in his way before and he wasn't planning on starting. He has continued to strive for improvement both in football and life, and, in doing so, his persistence has not gone unnoticed. Head Coach Mack Brown believes that Matt provides more for his team than just his physical contributions as a quarterback.
"Matt is mature beyond his years," explained Coach Brown. "He is a huge motivator for his teammates. He is a guy who sees the big picture, so he works just as hard off the field to prepare for the future as he does on the football field."
Proof of Matt's determination became even more evident when he earned his BA in government with a foundation in business in just three and a half years.
"I came [to Texas] with a few credit hours from high school and then I tested out of a few classes," Nordgren said. "A lot of people take classes that might not count toward their majors. Since I knew what I wanted to do from the beginning, all of my classes counted. I had a plan."
Nordgren continued with his plan shortly after graduating last December when he earned his real estate license. Earlier that spring, he had surprised his father George Nordgren, who raised his family in Dallas after retiring as a running back for the Dallas Cowboys, with a phone call.
"Matt called me up and told me he had too much down time," said George. "I was stunned, wondering how he could possibly have time between school and football. He told me he was interested in real estate."
The explanation is simple. Matt Nordgren does not know how to be complacent. Nor would he ever be inclined, by nature, to become so. Rather, Nordgren is a firm believer that the best route to success is along a path of diverse experiences.
"I think that if you don't try for something at least once, you will never know what might have been. All you can have is regret if you don't try," Nordgren explained. "Everyone knows that football is not forever. You can't put all of your eggs in one basket."
Cedric Griffin, a senior cornerback for the Longhorns, has been one of Matt's closest friends through their careers at Texas. Also his former roommate, Griffin can attest to Nordgren's zealous personality.
"The man never stops," said Griffin of his best friend's various undertakings. "Matt is such a business man, both in football and off the field. He will be successful in whatever he does because he just keeps working at it. Maybe he will be a politician one day."
Since Nordgren is too young to make a run at the White House, the young entrepreneur spent part of the past summer gaining valuable real estate experience. Matt was able to work alongside his father's teammate with the Cowboys, Roger Staubach, at the Hall-of-Famer's real estate business.
"Along with my father, Roger has played a major role in helping me become who I am," said Nordgren. "Working with him this summer was a great experience."
Even with all he has accomplished, one of Nordgren's biggest thrills came less than a month after his 21st birthday.
"When I completed my first [collegiate] pass, against Baylor, it was all worth it," Matt noted of his six-yard completion on October 25, 2003. "It was the most amazing feeling."
Sunshine, as Nordgren's teammates call him, has utilized each of these unique experiences in his life as a learning tool. In doing so, his drive off the field has influenced his game on the field, and vice versa.
"My dad and Roger Staubach have always emphasized the importance of working hard and staying focused," Matt said. "I have learned how to conduct meetings and work with people. That works out well because, playing quarterback, it's pretty much the same deal."
So, when it comes time for Matt Nordgren to step on the football field this season, fans and coaches alike can be confident he is nothing shy of a complete athlete. Not only does he possess the physical skills to lead the Longhorns offense, but he also personifies the true meaning of drive in doing so.
And it all began with juggling.
