STATE COLLEGE — State College High School graduate Matt Suhey advanced into some extremely select company in his career on a football field.
Not many high school players go on to play football in college, and even fewer — a tiny percentage, actually — distinguish themselves enough to get noticed by teams in the NFL.
Then to make a pro roster, become a starter, excel and finally earn a Super Bowl ring all defy odds that are most likely too infinitesimal to calculate.
Yet Matt Suhey did all of that, and more.
On Sept. 16, Suhey returned to State High and was honored before the Little Lions’ first 2016 home game of the season at Memorial Field.
As a member of the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl champions in 1985, Suhey was in town to present his alma mater with a Golden Trophy for the school to display in its trophy case.
It’s part of the NFL’s Super Bowl High School Honor Roll, which is a program designed to honor the Super Bowl champion players and their high schools. State High actually has two Super Bowl winning alumni; the other is Jordan Norwood, who is now playing for the Denver Broncos and could not attend.
So the day was all about Suhey, but the school also extended invitations to all former letter winners of State College football teams. The former players who were able to attend joined Suhey on the field as the Golden Football presentation was being made.
That group, incidentally, included Temple head coach Matt Ruhle who happened to be in State College for another football game which was held at Beaver Stadium on Sept. 17.
“For Matt Suhey to come back,” State College head coach Matt Lintal said, “and have this opportunity to speak with our team and have this presentation on the field means a lot. That’s why these alums came back, to see him.
“I’m so thankful for the tradition that State High football has and for the guys who have paved the way and led us to what we have today.”
As if on cue, the 2016 Little Lions followed with their best outing of the season so far, a 51-7 victory over Mid-Penn foe Mifflin County.
