Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles' Matthews gives advice to incoming rookie class

Published Jun. 29, 2015 3:56 p.m. ET

foxsports

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews was able to make an immediate impact in his rookie season. Matthews emerged as the Eagles' slot wide receiver as a rookie, and he finished with 872 yards receiving and eight touchdowns on 67 receptions. Aside from helping his team win football games, Matthews carried a unique goal with him through his rookie season. He wanted to attend the 2015 NFL Rookie Symposium to educate this year's rookie class on everything he learned since joining the league.

"I knew that if those were the guys sitting up there talking to the rookies, then obviously they'd gained enough respect from the NFL and their peers to be in that position sharing their experiences with the rookie class," Matthews wrote on his blog site, jordanmatthews.sportsblog.com. "And I said to myself right then, 'I want to be on that panel next year. And even if I'm not on the panel, I want to have done enough to be deserving of being on it.'"

Matthews reached his goal last week when he made his appearance at the 2015 Rookie Symposium. He delivered a two-pronged message that he hopes will keep things simple while best preparing the NFL's newest group of talented players.

"Never get too high and never get too low," Matthews wrote. "Create a positive environment that allows you to stay in a mindset of peace and focus when it comes to football and your life -- and then stay there. If you can stay in that lane, then the game of football is going to come a lot easier. Go to work, study film, spend time with your family, but stay in that lane.

"Don't look at what this guy over here is getting paid and start changing the way you act in the locker room based on what somebody else has. Don't look at what another team is doing in OTAs and start wondering why your team is running so much. If you start comparing, you'll start slacking, and then you're going to find yourself looking for a different team. Focus on what you have to do and go get that done."

Matthews had the opportunity to fulfill a goal that has lasted with him for almost a full year. Hopefully, Eagles rookie wide receiver was present and listening intently when Matthews had his opportunity to speak.

(h/t Jordan Matthews sports blog)

Photo Credit: Photo/Jason DeCrow