Matt Mrazek will close one door, open another

When I first learned that Matt Mrazek had been invited to participate in an NFL Pro Day at Northwestern University, I was thrilled for him.

If ever there was an opportunity for poetic justice to be administered, this was it.

After a 71-catch 2016 Lafayette football season, the 6-4 wide receiver from La Grange, Ill., who had been offered a chance to walk on with the Wildcats in 2014 but elected instead to accept a scholarship offer from Lafayette, was, through some mysterious circumstances that may never fully be explained, rendered almost invisible in the offense directed by first-year Coach John Garrett.

Twenty-eight catches, nine of them in the season opener and only 10 of them in six Patriot League games combined, were enough to put him into the No. 2 spot in career receptions at Lafayette.

But in a season in which the Leopards were competitive in a bunch of games well into the second half despite an anemic offense, Mrazek’s best attribute – the ability to catch almost anything thrown his way – could have been a difference-maker.

So, I figured it would be fitting personal revenge to see him walk into the Pro Day at NU and strut his stuff for pro scouts. Maybe, just maybe, he could wind up with an invitation to a pro camp. And from there, who knows?

Well, it’s not going to happen.

Instead, I learned that he will transfer all the energy and dedication he put into his college football career and a possible pro career into the final semester of his Government & Law and Philosophy major at Lafayette, then will accept an offer that will enable him to pursue a Doctor of Law degree and a master's in sports law. In fact, I understand he's already been accepted to a couple of universities. 

I wanted to reach out to Mrazek for an interview about his senior season, his career and his future, but I’ve been unsuccessful. It was impossible not to notice his disappointed, frustrated demeanor toward the end of the season as his potential record-setting career went into the tank.

I was particularly struck by the cover of the program for the Colgate-Lafayette game (pictured). It featured the Lafayette seniors, who were playing their final home game that day. And there, in the front row, by the sheer coincidence of his jersey #17, Mrazek stood alongside Coach Garrett. So close in the photo; so far apart on the field. I thought it showed on Mrazek’s face.

He wasn’t injured. He started every game. He just wasn’t involved. The ball went in other directions, even though Mrazek often had advantageous one-on-one matchups. Those of us in the media stopped asking about him; there was no point.

I can only conclude that for whatever reason, Mrazek and Garrett were on different wave lengths, and by mid-season, we knew things weren’t going to change. Even the Leopard followers on the Lafayette Sports Fan Forum were hoping that the coach was saving his best receiver for the meaningful Patriot League games in the second half of the season. That never materialized.

Now, I’m told, Matt seems more at peace with his decision to change course away from a game that has been part of his life for more than 15 years than is his family.

I’ll always remember as the receiver of a Zach Zweizig touchdown pass that put an exclamation point on Lafayette’s 27-7 No. 150 victory over Lehigh in Yankee Stadium in 2014.

Now he is telling everyone that when his scoreboard clock at Lafayette goes to 0:00 on graduation day in May, football will have provided some significant moments and some huge disappointment for Matt Mrazek. He will cherish the highs and will not allow the lows of his senior year to define his life.

Congratulations, Matt. Go get ‘em.