Aug. 13, 2008

Matt Simon is a senior wide receiver for the Northern Illinois Huskies. Simon recorded the sixth-highest single-season yardage total in NIU history with 969 receiving yards, narrowly missing the 1,000-yard threshold. He was named to the All-MAC second team by Phil Steele Magazine and was an Academic All-MAC selection. Simon ranked sixth in the conference and 32nd nationally with 80.75 receiving yards per game. He led NIU in receptions (52) and receiving yards (969) and ranked second in all-purpose yards per game (92.7). Below is a closer look at the Northern Illinois WR.

1. What song do you listen to, to pump yourself up before a game?

 “Set it off”, by PRD.

2. Who’s your biggest hero?

I consider my father my biggest hero. He passed away when I was a junior in high school of cancer. Seeing some of the things that he had to go through and how he dealt with things, I learned a lot from that situation.

3. If you could invite anyone dead or alive to dinner, who would it be?

Most people would probably say a pretty girl (laughs), but I would again probably say my father, just because it’s been about five years now since he’s passed away.

4. What’s your favorite movie?

It’s a toss up probably between three. Dumb and Dumber, Caddyshack, and Animal House.
 
5. What famous celebrity would you most like to date?

Swimsuit model Marissa Miller.

6. You’re on a road trip and stop at a gas station, what snacks do you buy?

Um, what time of day is it? No, I’d probably say I’m not a big snack guy, so probably a Gatorade Mountain Dew, a bottle of water.

7. If you had to play another sport, what would it be?

Either golf or baseball. I played baseball in high school, and golf is an addicting hobby, I guess. Just recreation.

8. What would you’re WWE wrestler name be and why?

Matt Simon, because “Simon Says!”

9. What’s you favorite vacation spot?

I have a cabin up in Alexander, Minnesota, so I’d probably say that.

10. Other than your school what team do you run with in NCAA football?

I was a big fan of Oklahoma State this past year, so I would play with them or LSU.

11. What actor would play you in the movie of your life?

Mark Wahlberg. I can see that.

12. What’s the first thing you buy when you win the lottery?

Maybe a car. A Lincoln.

13. What’s the worst job you ever had?

Handing out Gatorade to kids at a camp.

14. What word would describe yourself?

Passionate.

15. What’s something that most people don’t know about you?

I’m pretty ambidextrous. Yeah, I’m left handed, but I golf right handed. I play hockey right handed, I bat baseball right handed.

16. What’s your nickname?

Anywhere from just Simon to just Si to Simon (with a French accent), Matty-boy, I don’t know a lot of different ones.

17. What’s your favorite number and why?

I was #5 in high school, so I kind of like that. I’d say 85, the number I have now, just cause I was born in 1985 and fell in love with it.

18. Do you have any superstitions?

Not any significant ones. I do a lot of little things, like I listen to the same music before every game, in almost the same order. Any time that I take a drink of Gatorade, I have to take a drink of water. I have to put my dad’s initials on my tape. But that’s about it. Nothing significant.

19. What’s one thing you can’t live without?

Probably my cell phone. I feel so disconnected from the world if I leave it at home or something.

20. What do you want to be doing in 10 years?

Hopefully retiring from the NFL. In my post NFL career I would like to coach college football, just because of the way (wide receivers) coach (P.J.) Fleck came here, and helped me and has done things for me. I want to turn around and be able to help other kids and in my situation and do good for other people.