Matt Trannon: Following A Hometown Tradition

Nov. 12, 2006

By: Dan Dugger, MSU Sports Information Student Assistant

This feature originally appeared in the Nov. 11 edition of Spartan Sports Zone Magazine.

The city of Flint, Mich., has produced its fair share of elite Spartan student-athletes over the years. Michigan State wide receiver Matt Trannon is no exception.

Whether you know him as No. 20 on the hardwood, or No. 6 on the gridiron, Trannon is the personification of toughness and leadership.

His journey begins 50 miles north on Interstate 69 in Flint. The blue-collar city has furnished Spartan legends in numerous sports, including Trannon's mentors, Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson. Trannon credits the two former basketball national champions as nurturers of his toughness.

"My toughness is from my fellow leaders," said Trannon. "The ones I have been around the most, like Mo Cleaves and Mo Pete, basically took me under their wing and made me go to school and play sports to keep me out of the streets. They showed me the right way."

That right way would eventually lead to the campus of Michigan State. Trannon said while growing up in Flint he was faced with two choices: either go to school and make something of himself, or be on the streets. Obviously, Trannon stuck to the books and the practice field, earning himself a football scholarship.

Although growing up in Flint did not always prove to be a life of leisure for Trannon, he takes pride in his roots and expressed what it means to be a "Flintstone."

"Being a Flintstone means putting in hard work, making a milestone for yourself to reach," said Trannon. "Showing where you came from, and no matter what it is you have to do, you are going to do it to the best of your ability, and give your all."

Giving his all is what Trannon has done at MSU. He has excelled at Spartan Stadium and the Breslin Center, but more importantly, in the arena of academics.

Evidence of this will be the degree in family and community services Trannon is on pace to earn in May. Wide receivers coach Blaine Bennett said Trannon is excited to have the opportunity to graduate.

Trannon also has had the opportunity to be a two-sport athlete, playing split end in football and small forward in basketball. Playing two collegiate sports may seem physically excessive to most, but fatigue is not a factor in Trannon's world.

"If you can push through it, you're not so much burnt out, because if you're burnt out, your giving up on everything you've done," said Trannon. "Everything you do is mental, you can fight through anything. Being tired, you can fight through that all the time."

Helping Trannon push through fatigue and persevere through difficult times is the inspiration that he receives from his family.

"I get my strength from both my mom and grandmother because they have been through so much in their lifetime," said Trannon. "I look at them as being the backbone of my strength. So I try to pattern myself after that, to be that strong of a person."

Running crisp patterns and making exceptional catches is what has bolstered Trannon into the Spartan record book this season. In week two against Eastern Michigan, Trannon grabbed a school-record 14 passes, surpassing Plaxico Burress's record of 13, earning Trannon Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors. Currently, Trannon has 133 catches for his career, and is eyeing the MSU career record for receptions of 146, held by Andre Rison.

"I'm pushing for the record, but right now it doesn't mean anything if we don't get the win," said a humble Trannon.

Although a true team player, Trannon remains the biggest critic of his personal performance.

"The only thing that I didn't like about myself is that I couldn't make my play consistent, I couldn't come out and do it every game," said Trannon. "It was difficult and unfortunate because of injuries and certain trials and tribulations I went through."

Trannon, who once worked at Meijer's with fellow Spartan Greg Cooper, remains a leader through difficult times, and takes the opportunity to guide young Spartan receivers.

"I tell them you have to come out here and work, nothing is given to you," said Trannon. "Work hard, because there are people around the country doing the same thing you are doing at different colleges. You have to make sure you put more time and effort in than they are."

Outside of the classroom and away from the football field, "Truck," as Trannon was nicknamed at the age of 13, remains an average guy.

"Off the field, Matt's kind of a goofy guy," said quarterback Drew Stanton, whose locker is next to Trannon's. "We joke around and have a lot of fun with each other. He tries to portray that rough exterior that he has, but he is a real good guy."

When he's not catching passes in football or driving to the lane in basketball, Trannon likes to hit the lanes.

"I like to go bowling," said a laughing Trannon.

Trannon wouldn't mind bowling with his teammates after the regular season. "I'm all about wins and helping my team get to a bowl game."