From Pee-Wee to the Big Leagues
This past draft there was a family sitting and watching the draft go by in Columbus, Ohio. Name after name scrolling by waiting to see one of the boys names be announced.
The Folk family has been waiting for this day since Clay and Matt were playing football in the backyard and trampling through the house. They were inseparable on the football field playing side by side at linebacker from pee-wee football through high school. After Matt graduated and accepted a scholarship to Ohio State that was the first time the brothers played separately in their lives. Clay followed in Matt’s footsteps and went to Ohio State as well and reunited the fearsome brother duo in the linebacking corps.
Both were exceptional in college throughout their careers there. Racking up great stats and highlight reel plays for the Buckeyes. That is when it came time for a tough decision, stay together another year in college or go pro. After five straight losses to arch-rival Michigan, Clay and Matt declared together and the hope to continue playing side by side remained.
Going through the draft process can be anxiety building and terrifying. Having someone by your side is important but having the person you are closest to going through it at the same time builds confidence. The Folk brothers climbed draft boards after being rated as late round picks. They did interviews together, workouts together, and finally got to the big day together.
Both brothers watched as name after name, linebacker after linebacker went without seeing their names. Eight linebackers went before a phone rang in the Folk household. It was Matt’s phone. The room full of friends and family fell silent, eagerly awaiting the news on the other end of the line. Coach Spurlock and General Manager Cam Rose, from the Seahawks, excitedly gave Matt the news that his dream came true and he was drafted to the NFL. The family erupted in excitement and tears as they saw Matt’s name and picture pop on the screen. Clay embraced Matt and celebrated with him not knowing if or when his name would be called. Then the third round came around, the Seahawks were back on the clock needing another linebacker. The family held their breath hoping for Clay’s phone to ring and join his brother in the Pacific Northwest. No call, another linebacker went there. The next few picks went by fast as Clay was trying to wrap his head around what happened. Then it happened, his phone rang. Coach Liver King and General Manager Jesse Claar called welcoming Clay to the Rams. The room erupted again, both brothers made it. Then the realization of not playing together set in. Not only were they no longer teammates, they were on rival teams.
Both brothers worked their way to starting jobs by the time the regular season arrived. Making your NFL debut is a huge accomplishment and milestone. Making that debut with your family watching and cheering you on gets the adrenaline flowing. But what if your best friend, your biggest supporter wasn’t there cheering you on? That is the reality that the brothers faced as week one came. Monday Night Football, the premier game each week and a major one to start the season. The Rams travelled up to Seattle to face the Seahawks. Two brothers once teammates now facing each other on rival teams. The brothers established themselves early on in the game with Clay forcing an early fumble and Matt getting an interception. By the end of the night, Clay finished with six tackles, a tackle for loss, and a forced fumble. Not to be outdone by his younger brother, Matt finished the game with six tackles, two interceptions, and a touchdown.
The rest of their careers are ready to be written and we will be following them throughout their journeys.