Chris Matthews became a star on Feb. 1, 2015.
That was the night of Super Bowl XLIX, when, as a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Matthews went from a special teamer to one of the biggest names in the biggest game.
After never catching an NFL pass before, Matthews posted four catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. He tied Patriots wideout Julian Edelman for the game high in receiving yards.
Now, after being released by Seattle on Nov. 17, Matthews has been on the Ravens' practice squad for almost three weeks.
He's hoping to make his debut in purple Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium against his former team, and he's looking to show that he's not a flash in a pan.
"I don't even dwell on the Super Bowl," Matthews said.
"I don't want to be that guy who was great in that game and everywhere else he wasn't that good. I want to be the guy that took off from there and never looked back. That's what I'm going to keep working towards."
The 6-foot-5, 218-pound wide receiver is an imposing figure who passes the eye test. Undrafted out of Kentucky in 2011, Matthews has been clawing for his chance ever since.
He originally signed with the Cleveland Browns, but didn't make the team out of training camp. Matthews then played for the Arena Football League's Iowa Barnstormers in 2012, then the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers that same year.
Matthews got another chance in the NFL in 2014, but bounced on and off the Seahawks* *practice squad before finding himself on the Super Bowl roster.
Was he part of the offensive game plan against the Patriots?
"Not even close," he said. "All I was focused on was special teams. The first catch that I had, I was running a decoy route and [Russell Wilson] actually threw me the ball. I just reacted on it."
Wilson surprisingly kept going back to Matthews. His first career grab was for 44 yards. His first career touchdown (11 yards) was next. In the second half, he hauled in a 45-yard pass to set up a field goal, then a 9-yard pass to jump start a 50-yard touchdown drive.
"Chris Matthews is a tremendous football player," Wilson said Wednesday. "In terms of the Super Bowl, the guy made just unbelievable plays, and he has all the ability; he has the makeup, too, as well. He's a hardworking guy. He's a guy that has a lot of talent. I'm rooting for him."
The Seahawks released Matthews because of their depth at wide receiver. It was a "competition decision," Head Coach Pete Carroll said.
"I called him when I heard the unfortunate news for us, and I just told him he's going to be a great football player," Russell said. "Just being around him was such a pleasure. I'm really, really rooting for him to be successful."
Amidst the Ravens' banged-up wide receiver corps, Matthews has another chance to make his mark. He said he has no animosity toward the Seahawks because they made him better. But Matthews would like nothing more than a chance to show them he belongs.
From the sounds of it, Matthews at least has a shot to get called up to the active roster.
Head Coach John Harbaugh said he's been "very impressed" with Matthews in practice.
"He's a very serious guy, works hard, goes up and makes plays, and he's done a good job," Harbaugh said.
"We'll see if he can play this week or not. I don't think him having been in Seattle determines whether he plays or not. It's just whether he's up to speed in the offense. That's really the bottom line, and if we have the spot for him to play."
