Oklahoma State University Athletics
Long Living A Dream For Cowboys
December 30, 2009 | Cowboy Football
Dec. 30, 2009
ARLINGTON, Texas – The life of a walk-on is not glamorous, as Oklahoma State's Mathies Long can certainly tell you.
But all the blood, sweat and tears with little glory or playing time and zero scholarship money are worth it for guys like Long and his fellow walk-on teammates when it comes to getting an opportunity like participating in preparations and activities for this week's Cotton Bowl.
“It's a lot of hard work being a walk-on but getting to come to bowl games like this is a big reward,” Long said. “We're out here because we love to play the game. You're not getting any scholarship money, but you're out here every day like everybody else going through the daily grind. You just have that spark of loving the game and wanting to be out there as part of the team.”
And it's even more special for a guy who grew up in the Dallas suburb of DeSoto, Texas, dreaming of playing for his favorite NFL team.
“I grew up a (Dallas) Cowboys' fan dreaming of one day playing in Texas Stadium,” Long said. “Being able to play in their new stadium is really exciting for me and my family because I have a lot of family from the Dallas area.
“Being a walk-on and having a chance to play in a bowl game on an NFL field is incredible, and it's a big accomplishment for me.”
A 6-foot-1, 210-pound junior safety, Long has played in six games this season, with the majority of his action on special teams, and has recorded two tackles.
Throughout the season, Long has spent much of his practice time on scout teams, something that he takes a lot of pride in. This week, Long is playing the role of Ole Miss free safety Kendrick Lewis to help his offensive teammates prepare for what they'll see from the Rebels.
“I take it as a big role and a big challenge,” Long said. “I try to help the offense and give them good looks. You have to push them. They might get mad at you and say, 'Slow down' or something, but you have to do what you have to do to make them better and get them ready.”
Long is relishing his special opportunity this week and says there's really only one negative to playing in the Cotton Bowl – trying to find tickets for all his family and friends.
“It's tough because half the team is from Texas so everybody is trying to get tickets,” Long said. “I've had to tell a lot of people 'No.'”
