SB Nation 2012 Super Bowl Indianapolis, Mathias Kiwanuka
The Super Bowl in Indianapolis bring former Cathedral high school standout Mathias Kiwanuka back to his home town.
Jan 31, 2012 - Just a little over 12 years ago, Mathias Kiwanuka was standing blocks from the present location of Lucas Oil Stadium, earning an IHSAA Class 4A state championship medal after Cathedral knocked off Goshen, 24-21. This Sunday, Kiwanuka has another chance at a title in Indianapolis - this one of a far bigger variety - when his New York Giants meet the New England Patriots.
I will freely admit to being biased when it comes to Sunday's game: I graduated with Kiwanuka (and Tampa Bay tackle Jeremy Trueblood) from both Cathedral and Boston College. So, when Kiwanuka and three other Boston College players (Mark Herzlich, Chris Snee and Will Blackmon) reached Indianapolis, it was a no-brainer as to whom to cheer for this Sunday.
And while the journey of Kiwanuka is well-documented (specifically here and here), allow me to reflect a bit a man who truly turned himself into a football player as he grew up.
I've always looked up to Mathias Kiwanuka: literally and figuratively. At 6-foot-5, he easily towers over me, so from day one at Cathedral, he was easy to spot in the halls. Kiwanuka was relatively quiet in those first few years at Cathedral, and initially, he looked the part of a basketball player, not necessarily a future football star.
The one who looked like the star was Trueblood, the massive tackle. Trueblood's prowess, along with plenty of others, was one of the reasons that numerous college recruiters came to Cathedral. And while Kiwanuka starred on the football team on both sides of the ball - he was a tight end along with being on the defensive line - he was the kind of recruit teams needed to project, given his rail-thin frame.
At Boston College, that all changed. 'Kiwi' redshirted his freshman year (2002) and bulked up, turning into a beast along the offensive line. And while his profile continued to grow, he remained the same modest, thoughtful student-athlete that he had been in high school. It was at Boston College that I became aware of his historic family name and the pride he took in being the grandson of Benedicto Kiwanuka, the first Prime Minister of Uganda.
It wasn't just the Uganda flag, or the tattoo of the Ugandan crest along his back that showed his pride, but his words and actions when talking about a place he had never been, but felt such a rich connection to. And since visiting to Uganda, Kiwanuka has gone out of his way to help a country and people in need, setting an example for the rest of us.
Kiwanuka's example in overcoming adversity is one that continues to resonate as well. After a record-setting career at Boston College and becoming a first round pick of the Giants in 2006, Kiwanuka was switched to linebacker prior to the 2007 season. He didn't whine or demand anything of the team, just went about his business and earned the starting job instead.
Unfortunately, in that Super Bowl season for the Giants, Kiwanuka snapped his tibia, rendering him to injured reserve for the memorable win over the Patriots. And while he returned from that injury to play two more years with the Giants, there were more mountains to climb.
Back home for the 2010 Indianapolis 500, Kiwanuka was out on motorcycles with his brother, Ben, when a car pulled out and sent his brother flying. First responders on the scene largely credit Mathias with saving his older brother's life, but the mental scarring still affected Mathias into the fall of 2010.
The year became no easier for Kiwanuka when he was diagnosed with a bulging disc in his neck four games into the season; at the time, he led the Giants with four sacks, but would sit the rest of an ultimately disappointing 2010 campaign, not knowing if New York would want to retain his services the next year.
Playing linebacker once more, Kiwanuka had just 3.5 sacks on the year, but recorded a half-sack in the NFC Championship game, helping the New York defense bottle up San Francisco. The Giants made headlines for their defensive effort against New England four years ago, and with Kiwanuka's speed on the edge, will be looking to do the same on Sunday night.
For Kiwanuka, the trip back to Indianapolis brings it all full circle. From a state championship 12 years ago to a possible world championship in five days, I've been privileged to watch him grow, overcome adversity and set an example of service for everyone to follow. Best of luck, Mathias.
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