“…brutally honest about life as a college football player.  Though Matt Stewart did not write this book seeking praise, I think he deserves it. He could have given up but he didn’t.” 

                              – Readers Favorite 5-Star Review

This inspiring true story takes you inside a major college football program from a unique point of view: the athlete who plays not for money but for the love of the game.
The walk-on.
In the fall of 1993, Northwestern University was predicted to once again finish in the bottom of the Big Ten. Owners of the longest losing streak in Division I history, no one expected the Wildcats to ever compete for a Big Ten title. But new head coach Gary Barnett brought a winning attitude to Evanston and engineered one of the greatest turnarounds in college sports history, leading Northwestern from perennial cellar dweller to two-time Big Ten champ.
Matt Stewart played on those championship teams. Even though he didn’t receive any football scholarship offers out of high school, he still believed in his abilities. Armed with confidence and determination, Matt walked-on to the team. He worked hard and never gave up hope, and his efforts were rewarded in a remarkable way.
Take a journey inside Northwestern’s locker room as Matt reveals how he transformed his mind and body into becoming a successful Division I football player. Learn the tactics Coach Barnett used to overcome a history of losing, a gambling scandal, and the tragic death of a star player to lead Northwestern to the Rose Bowl. “The Walk-On” is a riveting account of how a small school captured the nation’s attention, bringing hope to underdogs everywhere.