Alabama Football: Ex-Tide Lineman, Current NFL Player Evan Mathis Needs Support

Since 2004, Evan Mathis has made a living as an NFL lineman, specializing at the offensive left guard position. Mathis cut his teeth as an Alabama Football fan, and learned his trade as a player for the Crimson Tide.

Evan Mathis and others he played with with wearing the Crimson and White came to Alabama when it was not a popular choice among elite athletes.

For those who cannot remember, there were tough times through the period of probation and disrespect shown by Franchione to the players, fans, boosters and the University itself. Then the fiasco that followed the hiring of Mike Price.

Well, if you do not remember, thank the Lord. It wasn't pretty and it wasn't popular to pump your fist and shout, "It's great to be from Alabama."

But players like Evan Mathis stayed true to their heart, and signed on to play for the Tide.

Following his redshirt freshman season, Mathis was a four-year starter for the Tide, playing in 47 consecutive games.

In his fourth season, grinding it out with fellow linemen Wesley Britt, Danny Martz, J.B. Closner and Kyle Tatum, the Crimson Tide lead the SEC with 185 rushing yards per game, averaging better than 4.4 yards per carry.

Mathis was drafted in the third round by the NFL Carolina Panthers and is currently playing as left guard for the Cincinnati Bengals. While serving in the NFL, Mathis has developed business interests outside of his game, investing in and developing Zone Athletic Performance.

ZAP is a business that provides fitness and training for all individuals who have an interest in improving their physical condition.

They have been able to attract high performance athletes to their program and simulate NFL combines and training camps, preparing athletes for what lies ahead if they choose to pursue a career in the NFL.

At the end of the 2010 NFL season, with the threat of a lockout looming over the heads of the players and personnel in the business of the NFL, Mathis decided to venture into the movie production arena, limiting the venture to his area of expertise—the business of the NFL.

It is an endeavor for which he needs the support of the fans.

If you have interest in supporting this endeavor by Evan Mathis, check out this link.

"Locked out" intends to tell the full story of the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, the history behind the agreement and how this agreement is now the glue to keeping all parties united for the singular cause of bringing the NFL product to the general public.

If the owners allow this agreement to run out, the players are not allowed to work out together, they cannot sign contracts and teams cannot sign on new players. Without an agreement, the players are completely locked out.

Having said this, the team owners are penalized as well, it is a lose-lose situation and you would think all involved would try to avoid a lockout. But it may just happen. More than 50 meetings have taken place to avoid this debacle, yet they remain at a stand off.

Why would the owners or players allow this to happen?

If this contract runs out, players cannot enter the facilities that they have used to receive treatment and training that they need to remain in playing condition. A worst-case scenario would erase the 2011 season entirely.

An action taken by the owners to lock out the players and potentially end the 2011 season before it gets started would affect not only the players and fans, but the agents, the college prospects and the guys or gals selling hot dogs and popcorn in the stands.

This film will give a full perspective of how the agreement works and how the entire process falls apart if the agreement is not extended.

Considering what Evan Mathis did for Alabama and the legion of followers of this special football program, if you have the ability, do your part and give Mr. Mathis your support.

If not an Alabama fan, but fan of the game, your support is sought as well and is greatly appreciated.