We got a nice surprise on Thursday when Matthew Rice ’05 stopped by the Hintz Family Alumni Center. The former Nittany Lion defensive end, a member of the Orange Bowl-winning 2005 team, is back in town this weekend to speak to art students at a local middle school and promote the artwork he creates under the name Mateo Blu.

If you don’t know (or don’t remember) Matthew’s story, there’s a great Q&A with him over at Fight On State that details his unique story: This is a guy who has not only thrived in the transition from football player to painter, but survived a brain tumor along the way.

If you’re in town for the Purdue game this weekend, you can meet Matthew on Friday from 6-8 p.m. at Damon’s Restaurant, and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the State College Framing Company & Gallery, where he’s hosting a show of his work. He’s a personable and talented guy. We’re glad to have him back in town.

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