Nebraska football hero living up to his status off the field

Around here you might remember him from the ESPY award-winning play known as "The Catch," or the "Miracle at Missouri." The true freshman split back's memorable catch in the end zone saved the Nebraska Cornhuskers' undefeated championship season in 1997 on that pressure-packed night in Columbia, Mo.

You might also know that he finished his distinguished career in Lincoln second all-time in school history in both receptions and receiving yards. He led the Huskers in receptions in three consecutive years, becoming only the third player in Nebraska football history to accomplish that feat.

Matt Davison is truly a pillar in the Cornhusker football pantheon. But he might be remembered more for who he is off the field-between his tireless work with charity and spending countless hours with kids all around the state.

In 2007, Davison started the "Creating Captains" foundation, a program designed to teach kids all over Nebraska about the values of character, courage, leadership and respect both in sports and in life.

"For the last six years we've been all over the state doing camps, basketball and football clinics," Davison said.

Davison holds about a dozen camps each summer. Sidney, though, is a particularly meaningful location for him.

"We've been to Sidney every single year and it's been our number one community over the years. It's great to come back and see a lot of the same kids who are here every year. I just like the people out here."

Having grown up in Tecumseh, Neb., a town of only 1,800, Davison knows what it's like to make something bigger of oneself in a small town.

"I had a lot of good fortune in my life to play at Nebraska and to have a platform to share messages I learned as a college player," Davison said.

Even on a cloudy and damp morning, those messages resonated clearly with Sidney youngsters from third to eighth grade who gathered at Sidney High's practice field for the two-hour clinic with Davison on Wednesday.

The campers participated in organized football drills and team-building activities and then heard some of Davison's own stories from his playing days that helped to enhance the meaning of his instruction.

"That I need to help others when they are struggling with something," said West Elementary fifth grader Ethan Shea when asked what he'll remember most from the camp.

The camp offered something for everyone. Whether they were there to sharpen football technique, take in some physical and mental encouragement or just to enjoy a fun morning outdoors with a former Husker hero, there was something in store for everyone in attendance.

For Sidney middle school seventh grader Austin Watkins, the morning was a completely new experience that held a lot of technical football meaning.

"Stance and tackling," said Hawkins when asked what will stick with him the most from the camp. "It was my first ever time playing today."

Hawkins says Davison's camp will make him consider playing football next year more seriously.

Meanwhile the eighth graders focused more on the leadership element of the camp.

"I just need to be a leader and help everyone out and be a good example," said Arik Doty, who plays legion baseball for Sidney Post 17 in the summer but is planning to play football in the future. "Everyone follows what you do."

At the conclusion of the two-hour camp, Davison gave each camper a "Creating Captains" t-shirt and offered a few final thoughts to sum up the morning.

"I hope more than anything that when you look at the t-shirt, or you remember this camp, you say 'I want to be captain, I want to be a leader," Davison told the gathered group of youngsters.

The humble Davison doesn't consider himself a superstar in high demand for starting or adding to memorabilia collections. But he still stuck around for a few minutes to sign autographs for all the kids

"I'm surprised anyone wants my autograph, but I'll sign anything you want, " Davison told the kids.

Rather than on himself, his focus is solely on helping to bring up quality young men in the same way he was brought up.

"I just want to encourage these kids to work hard at whatever they do, whether its sports, academics, whatever it is. From there I just want to challenge them to make good decisions".