Georgia Tech

Why living with diabetes has meant ‘everything’ to Matthew Jordan

Quarterback Matthew Jordan #11 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets carries the ball against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first half at Lane Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
Quarterback Matthew Jordan #11 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets carries the ball against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first half at Lane Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
Updated Nov 16, 2016

The journey from a diabetes diagnosis at the age of 11 to leading Georgia Tech to an upset win over then-No. 14 Virginia Tech this past Saturday spans years and miles. Tech quarterback Matthew Jordan can connect the dots at either end of the timeline with a straight line.

“Being diabetic, that’s everything to me,” Jordan said. “That’s what made me who I am today.”

Among other things, he’s Tech’s backup quarterback and possibly its future starter. He is a solid student, majoring in business administration. He’s a country boy from Alabama who loves jet skiing and mud-riding in his GMC pickup. And, he isn’t shy to note, a Type 1 diabetic.

“It made him grow up, mature quicker,” Jordan’s father Rodney said.

The entire story can be ready on myajc .

About the Author

Ken Sugiura is a sports columnist at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Formerly the Georgia Tech beat reporter, Sugiura started at the AJC in 1998 and has covered a variety of beats, mostly within sports.

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