Matt Battaglia

Biography: Born in Tallahassee, Florida, Matt grew up in the towns of Tucker and Lithonia, Georgia, two suburbs of Atlanta. He earned a football scholarship to the University of Louisville, where he became an All-American as a middle linebacker, leading the nation in tackles his senior year. He was team captain his junior and senior years and was voted Most Valuable Player. Matt went on to play in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles. Two years later, his career ended abruptly after a major shoulder injury. It was shortly thereafter that Matt turned his energy and focus to pursue a career in acting and screenwriting. On a personal level, Matt is the co-founder and co-host of Louisville's biggest Derby Day party named The Mint Jubilee, which raises money for cancer research. After only four years, the Mint Jubilee has been featured on Entertainment Tonight, E! Entertainment Television, ESPN, ABC and Fox Television. It was conceived after Matt lost his mother to cancer six years ago. Over 1,200 guests attended this past year's event along with over twenty celebrities and dignitaries from around the world.… Expand