‘The ultimate teammate’ Matt Leo waits for his opportunity

Now, he’s an Eagle at the age of 30, and he’s every bit a part of the team. His role during practice is often to play on the scout team and give offensive linemen a look at that week’s opponent, something the players appreciate, respect, and know helps them on gamedays.

“That’s my guy,” guard Isaac Seumalo said. “He’s great in practice. He works hard, pushes us, and is the ultimate teammate. He’s gotten a lot better as a player since he’s been here. You can see better technique in the little things he’s doing. I’m thankful he’s here. He has helped my game.”

Said guard Landon Dickerson: “I can’t say enough great things about the guy. He comes to work every day and wants to be a better football player. He loves the game and he loves being here. In practice, Matt gives us great looks and that helps when it comes to gamedays. We’re all rooting for him. I love that guy.”

As the playoffs approach, Leo knows his role. He is in his third year in the International Program and is technically part of the team’s practice squad and he is helping any way he can – in the meeting room, in the strength and conditioning part of the building, in the locker room as an upbeat and positive teammate, and out on the practice field.

It takes far more than one or two or 60 players to win football games, and Leo is part of the Eagles village.

“I love it, every minute of it and I’m grateful for all of this,” Leo said. “I still have that fire. I want to be an NFL player, and I know there is so much growth that I need. Consistency is so important on every rep in this league. I see the tricks these guys use and it comes down to developing those instincts and learning how to combat and win against those tricks, rather than watching film.

“For right now, my purpose is to help the offensive linemen. When I see Lane (Johnson) or Isaac or someone come off the field and they look at me and they’re smiling, I say, ‘How are they?’ They tell me, ‘He’s (nothing) compared to you.’ That means everything. That means I’ve done my job in practice getting these guys ready.”

Leo doesn’t know what the future will bring, so all he can do is bring it every day and know that his hard work will be rewarded in some way, shape, or form.

“All I can do is trust that everything I’ve put into this is going to pay off, and it truly already has,” he said. “To be part of this every day is just incredible. I want to be out there. God knows, I want to be out there. All I can do is give 100 percent every day, every…