The memory is still crystal clear for Matt Rhule, as if it happened yesterday instead of four decades ago. He was just a young boy, sprinting down the field in the compact and inclined Blackwell Park that he could see from his bedroom window. His quarterback? None other than his mom, Gloria. The roles somewhat reversed, Matt found himself directing his mom on the timing of each throw. As he sprinted, he’d yell ‘now’ to ensure he was within catching distance of the football. Gloria remembers these moments fondly, despite confessing that athletics were never really her forte.
Rewinding back, Matt recalls these memories with his mother as some of the most treasured ones from his childhood. ‘My sporting abilities only extended to playing tetherball in elementary school,’ Gloria jokes. Yet, she was his partner in those early football escapades in the playground, no matter her self-proclaimed lack of skills. Those fun memories have resurfaced as Nebraska gets ready for the upcoming Pinstripe Bowl in New York City, a city the Rhules had called home for over ten years during Matt’s formative years.
Among the myriad of shared experiences, the tale of Matt and his father, Denny, attending Game 6 of the infamous 1986 World Series at Shea Stadium, is a standout. Witnessing the ball bounce past Boston first baseman Bill Buckner, which resulted in the Met’s unexpected victory, is a story that has been shared repeatedly. Another equally fascinating anecdote is the story of Donald Trump spontaneously paying for young Matt and his friends’ lunch, during a day out ice-skating at Central Park. Memories of attending numerous New York Knicks and Yankees games are often revisited with beaming smiles. ‘We had the privilege of watching the Yankees whenever a friend’s dad secured tickets through work,’ Matt recalls.
However, to truly understand the origin of the Rhules’ journey to New York, one must venture back in time to March 1972. It was during this period that a tragic car accident near Frederick, Maryland took the lives of Denny’s brother, Kenneth, along with five of his Sigma Chi fraternity members. This loss occurred just days before the 25th birthday of Kenneth. Even after covering accidents for two decades, this was deemed the ‘worst’ accident by Maryland State Police spokesman Jack Marsh, echoing the sentiments of the April 1, 1972 edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Denny, who was at that time engaged to Gloria and was slated to wed her in July that year, was a health teacher and a football and basketball coach in Owego, New York. The tragic passing of his brother left Denny struggling, and by the end of the year, the couple moved back to Denny’s hometown of State College, Pennsylvania. Denny landed a job as the director of the State College Area Department of Parks and Recreation but life after such a devastating event was not easy. ‘It was a really difficult period in our lives,’ Denny reflected.
Meanwhile, the newlyweds were enthusiastic about expanding their family. They welcomed their first son, a healthy baby boy weighing 7 pounds and 5.5 ounces at Centre Community Hospital in State College on January 31, 1975. They named him Matthew Kenneth, his middle name a tribute to his late uncle. Yet, despite the joy of becoming parents, Denny’s decision regarding his career path was still uncertain. By 1976, Denny’s spiritual talks directed the couple to the Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Kansas. He wasn’t completely certain about what his calling was, whether it be a pastor or some other role, but he knew he had a four-year journey ahead to discover it.
During their stay at the Seminary, the Rhule family welcomed another new member. Dana, exactly three years and eight months younger than Matt, was born. By 1980, they felt a strong pull toward urban ministry which left them contemplating between two cities – Washington, D.C. and New York City. Ultimately, it was their visit to a New York City Church that solidified their decision, bolstered by their profound admiration for the city’s inhabitants.
To young Matt, his earliest New York recollections were somewhat obscure. The relocation to the bustling metropolis occurred when he was nearly five. He still vividly remembers the distinct smell of fish which pervaded the air along 32nd Street during his daily walk to Epiphany Manhattan Academy. ‘It’s odd what memories stick with you from childhood. I cannot recall any fish smell,’ Gloria humorously admitted, adding how she would accompany Matt to school, pushing Dana in her stroller down 32nd Street. ‘On our way, we passed an assortment of stores, bodegas, and restaurants. The fish smell could have originated from anywhere.’
In the early days, the Rhule family resided temporarily in the apartment of a congregation member who was away. Following this, they moved to the parsonage for several months, then finally, they found an apartment on Roosevelt Island. Roosevelt Island, an urban oasis amidst the gargantuan structures of New York City, occupies a unique place in the city’s history. Although scarcely populated in comparison to its neighboring boroughs, it provided an appealing contrast to the fuss and hustle of Manhattan.
Their journey to Roosevelt Island unfolded when one of the associate pastors’ wives introduced Gloria to the island. The description of the island as a quiet neighborhood with numerous parks, playgrounds, and its own school – all organized around one main street– excited Gloria. This seemed like the ideal place for them, placing them on a long waiting list for the highly coveted apartments on the island.
In an unexpected series of events, their approval for an apartment was sent to their previous address, and the Rhules had no potential way to retrieve it. Their pleas fell on deaf ears, leading to an emotional moment for Gloria, who recalls being reduced to tears with the rollercoaster of anticipation and disappointment. However, a two-bedroom apartment soon became available and they moved into their high-rise apartment with an expansive view of the city.
Several years down the line, they moved once again, but this time, within the same block to a larger, three-bedroom apartment. The ten years that Matt spent growing up on Roosevelt Island played a crucial role in shaping his perception of the world. Matt fondly remembers his culturally diverse friends from his childhood, ‘Growing up, my friends were from Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. Some were from affluent backgrounds, while others came from working-class families. We played basketball with kids from different cultures and backgrounds.’
Such a multicultural living experience exposed Matt early on to the diversity of life experiences. ‘Growing up in such a cosmopolitan environment makes me comfortable around people from different walks of life. Coaching in the world of sports, you are constantly interacting with people from diverse backgrounds. The unique environment of Roosevelt Island was a microcosm of the city and made me appreciate the multicultural aspect even more.’
As Matt prepares for the upcoming Pinstripe Bowl in New York City, there’s a sense of nostalgia and belonging, a homecoming of sorts. New York — a city that nurtured his passion for football, watched him grow into the person he is, and now, has welcomed him back with open arms as he leads Nebraska. His profound experience living on Roosevelt Island and his youthful enthusiasm for the game paints a compelling narrative that won’t be forgotten quickly. And as he returns to take part in the Pinstripe Bowl, every step on the concrete of the city echoes with his unique personal history. The city is not just another backdrop. It’s an integral part of his story and his career.