With Memorial Day just this past Monday, I wanted to do something to give special attention to any Brigham Young Cougars who had been not only football players but service men also. Former quarterback Matt Berry fits this description.
Matt Berry came to BYU with high hopes. During a turbulent 2002, Berry played in several games as a freshman. In fact, he set several new freshmen records, including most completions in a season (108), most attempts in a season (184), highest completion percentage (58.7), most yards passing in a season (1,309), and most yards passing in a game (360). Injuries and other factors caused his career to fizzle after that, and he finished 273-449 (60.8%), 2,994 yards, 15 TD, 24 interceptions.
A year after his college football career concluded, Berry was enlisting in the Army National Guard. This decision was prompted by the attacks of September 11, 2001. Five years later, the time was right. Berry went through basic training in Missouri at Fort Leonard Wood. He planned to be a combat engineer and join the 1457th Combat Engineers, and eventually become an officer.
While it was unfortunate the way his football career unfolded, Berry seems very happy about serving his country and the way his life is going. I am happy that a BYU Cougar is willing to make the effort and sacrifice to help defend my country.
For more details of how Matt Berry ended up in the National Guard, visit the Cougar Chasing page and click on his name.
More Flashbacks can be found on the Flashbacks page.
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
Matt Berry came to BYU with high hopes. During a turbulent 2002, Berry played in several games as a freshman. In fact, he set several new freshmen records, including most completions in a season (108), most attempts in a season (184), highest completion percentage (58.7), most yards passing in a season (1,309), and most yards passing in a game (360). Injuries and other factors caused his career to fizzle after that, and he finished 273-449 (60.8%), 2,994 yards, 15 TD, 24 interceptions.
A year after his college football career concluded, Berry was enlisting in the Army National Guard. This decision was prompted by the attacks of September 11, 2001. Five years later, the time was right. Berry went through basic training in Missouri at Fort Leonard Wood. He planned to be a combat engineer and join the 1457th Combat Engineers, and eventually become an officer.
While it was unfortunate the way his football career unfolded, Berry seems very happy about serving his country and the way his life is going. I am happy that a BYU Cougar is willing to make the effort and sacrifice to help defend my country.
For more details of how Matt Berry ended up in the National Guard, visit the Cougar Chasing page and click on his name.
More Flashbacks can be found on the Flashbacks page.
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
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