Omaha Nighthawks: Matt Overton Gives Back to His Community

Omaha Nighthawks long snapper Matt Overton is doing what he’s always wanted to do: give back to his hometown of Tracy, California.

Overton grew up in Tracy back when it was a small farm town, before its recent growth in population. Looking back at his childhood, he knew he wanted to give back as soon as he had the chance.

“Growing up, we never really had a [local] athlete to look up to,” he remembered. “Nobody that made it through college and to the pros.”

After making it to the Seattle Seahawks’ training camp last summer, Overton reached out to different players and sponsors to start the Pros 2 Youth charity for the youth in his hometown and neighboring cities. He hoped to inspire the youth of his hometown to chase their dreams and goals in life like he did.

After just 45 days of preparation, and with the help from former and current United Football League players, Overton held a festival-like event at Tracy High School last July. Over 300 kids showed up to participate in the punt, pass, and kick contest, autograph sessions with players and much more.

Kids had the opportunity to talk with professional athletes, something that Overton knows can truly help them.

“Every player has a unique story on how they got to where they are today. Pro athletes always have to overcome obstacles and believe in themselves.”

“This can help teach kids to never give up.”

Oakland Raiders lineman Chris Cooper, former nine-year National Football League veteran James Hodgins and Las Vegas Locomotives’ Cam Colvin are just some of the current and past players that have helped Overton start his charity.

With the help of the Sacramento Mountain Lions and other UFL players, he’s hoping that he can have more than 20 players at this year’s event.

On June 25^th at Tracy High School starting at 8:00 a.m., the second Pros 2 Youth event will take place.

Matt moved back to Tracy this year after spending time last year in both Omaha and Seattle. Now that he is living in his hometown again, it has helped him put even more effort into the charity, which is picking up momentum.

“With a year under my belt, we now have a great idea of how to run the event and promote it better within the community.”

One of the new ideas for this year’s event is that with every paying adult that brings their child, they will get a free ticket voucher to a Sacramento Mountain Lions game in the 2011 season.

All the proceeds of the event go to youth programs, and Matt is hoping to double last year’s attendance with the support of his friends, community and the UFL.

“The UFL is so involved in interacting with fans, I think it’s awesome to be able to partner with another team and make it a very interactive event.”

Just an hour away from Sacramento, the Mountain Lion cheerleaders and mascot will be in attendance this season, as well as players from the Nighthawks. The two teams that had arguably the most memorable game of the 2010 season will join together for a great cause.

You can follow Matt Overton on twitter at www.twitter.com/MattOverton_LS for more information.