Matt Wiliams: The New American Hero

Last month, Texas Tech student Matt Williams participated in one of those cheesy kick-a-field goal-for-free-stuff contests during halftime at his school's home game against Massachusetts. He easily made the 30-yard field goal, earning a free year's worth of rent (which he turned down).

However, that was not the end of the road for Matt Williams. Red Raiders coach Leach was so impressed by Williams' performance that he pulled him out of the stands and put him on the team. The following week against Kansas he went 9-for-9 on extra points. Against the pivotal Texas game last night, he outscored the entire Longhorns team 8-6.

Matt Williams isn't a hero because he can kick field goals. Matt Williams is a hero, a cult icon, because he legitimized the dream. When a fan picks up the extra point ball and throws that perfect spiral back down to the field, it could be his big break. When a young man throws a stiff arm during the game of touch football before the big game, someone could be watching. You could laugh at their aspirations, you can mock their dreams, but they can tell you, "It could happen." And now, thanks to Matt Williams, they are right.