A legend.

On January 12, 2005 I wrote an article about a standout senior on my high school's football team. He had been invited to play in a national All-Star game in Shreveport, La. that was not only an honor resulting from four years of hard work, but the opportunity to play before hundreds of attentive coaches. It wouldn't be the last time Matt Featherston travelled south to play football.

The Max Emfinger High School All-American Bowl Classic proved to be the launching point for the talented linebacker/tight end. He recorded three sacks and played with the passion he was known for back home in Poughkeepsie. He played, he excelled, he showed the potential to perform at the next level. In doing so he caught the attention of Texas A&M coach and scouts.

He was named the MVP of the game. The rest is history.

Featherston would be the only player east of the Mississippi to play in College Station for Aggie nation. The overgrown kid with the huge smile and humble mentality left his hometown and committed to a lifestyle and college experience most kids only get to dream about. Football would take over for the next five years in a way it does only in Texas, where everything is bigger. Football is one of those things.

Matt finished with 122 tackles his senior season as a Pioneer captain, good for second in the state of New York according to MaxPreps.com. He also accumulated 481 receiving yards and six touchdowns as a tight end. He played the game with heart, power and focus. He lived in the weight room. He stood out on the field. He was a presence in the community.

"It is remarkable. He has a level (of dedication) that is matchless to other kids who say they want to do the same thing, until they realize the road is so challenging," said Matt's mother, Cheryl Haines. "He looked at the road and obstacles and just stayed on the course."

The path led him to Texas A&M.

He would be redshirted in 2005 and take the year to absorb the college game, speed and wealth on information. He would get bigger, stronger and smarter. He'd be ready in 2006.

The 6'2'', 255-pound linebacker would make his college debut against the Citadel and record 4 tackles. He would play pieces of every game that season, tally 26 tackles and record a fumble against Texas Tech. The OG had landed.

In 2007, the Aggies played in the Orange Bowl against Miami and Featherston made an impact with multiple tackles for losses in the biggest game he'd ever played.

As a junior Featherston had the best season of his four years at A&M. He started every game at middle linebacker. He finished the season tied for the lead in tackles with 94. He notched a career best 16 stops against Arkansas State. Against Army and Colorado number 46 forced crucial fumbles to help the Aggies win both games. He would earn second-team All Big 12 honors courtesy of The San Antonio Express-News.

In his final season Featherston would use his athleticism to fit into a hybrid defensive position called the Jack. Paired with Von Miller, Featherston focused on attacking the quarterback and disrupting the pocket. Often matched up against the biggest outside linemen, his speed and power became as important as ever. I watched Matt and the Aggies destroy New Mexico in the season opener. He was all over the field. Against Texas in the season finale, Featherston was on Colt McCoy's heals all night long.

I played basketball with Matty when we were about twelve. I remember being able to throw him ally oops from mid court and watch him lay the ball in with ease. We would play baseball for years together, he once hit a ball 400+ feet through goal posts that no one ever thought would come into play. His heart always was in football. His heart was always in everything he did.

His final home game was on Thanksgiving, it was nationally televised due to the rivalry surrounding Texas vs. Texas A&M. After speeding home to catch the start of the game, there was an imposture #46 on the Aggie defense! Who was this Haines? Where is Featherston? With his mother in attendance for his final game the overgrown guy with the big smile and humble mentality had his mother's name on his shoulders. He never forgot where he came from.

I have a lot of respect for Matty. Not just because he grew up around the corner from me or because he made me look like John Stockton in 12-year old CYO basketball games; because he had a goal and he accomplished it. He worked his ass off from 9th grade through his senior year of college. He kept his body in tremendous shape while putting it through hell Saturday after Saturday. All in a place very different from where he grew up.

I hope he enjoyed the ride as much as his friends and family have enjoyed watching it.

Thataboy Matty!