Strength Comes From His Work Ethic


	Senior FB Matt Clapp

Mysterious. Daring. The protector. He does not claim to be a hero and nor does he want to be thought of that way. To win, he uses no superpower but simply his own strength and determination.

NORMAN, Okla. -- The description is used to describe Batman but it also describes Matt Clapp.

Growing up in Phoenix, Ariz., Clapp was active in many sports and saw success due to his strong work ethic. This was a natural thing for Clapp, considering he grew up in a family of body builders. His mother, Shelley Clapp, competed and won a fitness competition, earning the title Miss Arizona.

"My mom was a body builder, my brother was a body builder and my grandfather was a body builder so I was a health nut growing up," said Clapp. "I grew up eating healthy food because that was the only thing my mom would buy. I have always been big into weight training and lifting. Being in that background as a kid and going to shows was always fascinating to me."

Clapp prides himself on hard work and being in the best shape possible to compete at a high level and will do anything to get there, including yoga.

"My mom always harped on me to do yoga," said Clapp. "I finally went one day and it felt really good. I felt relaxed and stretched out. It actually prevents injuries and relaxes the body and your mind."

There is a lot more to Clapp than his massive muscles and the gridiron dominance fans have come to know. But what would Clapp be doing if he was not donning the crimson and cream on Saturdays?

"I think I would be a rock star," said Clapp. "I have always been into heavy metal and hard rock. I'm the only guy on the team who listens to that. I would play the drums for Slipknot. The lifestyle would be rough, but I think it would be fun."and now he holds the position of president.

"He will be some kind

of star. He could be a

rock star but he will

probably be a WWE

star."

Clapp's teammates are aware of his talents and think he has the potential to be a star.

"He will be some kind of star," teammate Brody Eldridge said. "He could be a rock star but he will probably be a WWE star."

"He has the hair for it," teammate Eric Mensik added.

Relentless on the gridiron and a possible rock star, but there is also the guy who likes to play chess and loves his two dogs, Pippen and Cody. Would you guess that he is also a fan of the Joker?

"I would love to be the Joker," said Clapp. "I am a Batman fanatic. I would love to be Batman, but I would also love to be the Joker. Batman is not like the other superheroes that have a power. He does his own thing and he is dark."

Clapp is a diverse individual who excels everywhere, including the classroom. He was named to the All-Big 12 first team by the coaches in football in 2008 and to the All-Big 12 Academic first team in 2008. Clapp will graduate with a degree in sociology.

"Graduating from college means a whole lot to me," Clapp said. "It means more to me than anything in the world right now. To be able to have a degree from the University of Oklahoma is a big thing. Everyone knows what type of school this is and it will benefit me in the future."

"Graduating means a

whole lot to me. It

means more than

anything in the world

right now."

When asked what his legacy will be for the Sooner program, Clapp responded with what has made him so successful his entire life.

"My work ethic -- what I bring to OU and the football program with my work ethic with workouts and practicing. I also think people will always remember my hair though. There is no doubt about it."

Clapp's hair is definitely an indelible trademark, but his teammates know that he will be remembered for so much more.

"He is a good friend of mine," Mensik said. "We hang out quite a bit and eat lunch together in the cafeteria. He is a heck of a football player. He works extremely hard and takes care of himself. He makes sure he benefits himself as well as his teammates."

"He is a good guy and fun guy to be around," Eldridge added. "He always has something funny to say. He is a good teammate and a loyal teammate. He brings an attitude to the team. He is always in the front, working hard pushing himself and pushing everybody else."

Just like Batman saves Gotham with his own power, Clapp uses the power of his strength and determination to succeed at everything he does. He does it his own way and he is an original. He is simply Matt Clapp.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Feature by Jen Van Tuyl | OU Athletics Media Relations

| Sooner Profiles | Archive

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors