VERMILLION, S.D. -- Matt Chatham, a former linebacker for The University of South Dakota Coyotes football team, will be part of the New England Patriots when they meet the St. Louis Rams on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3 in New Orleans, La.

Chatham, 6'4, 250, originally of Sioux City, Iowa, has served an important role as a member of the Patriots this season, primarily on the special teams unit. Last Sunday in the 24-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Chatham recorded one special teams tackle.

Interestingly, Chatham was originally signed by the St. Louis Rams as a rookie free agent in 1999. When it didn't work out for Chatham in St. Louis, he caught on with the New England Patriots on August 28, 2000.

In nine games this season for New England, he recorded 13 tackles, including 11 tackles on special teams. He also played linebacker in the Sept. 23, 2001 game with the New York Jets, recording two tackles. Five times this season he had two tackles on special teams, including the playoff game vs. Oakland on Jan. 19, 2002. He also had two tackles vs. Carolina on Jan. 6, 2002; vs. Miami on Dec. 22, 2001; against Atlanta on Nov. 4, 2001; and vs. Indianapolis on Oct. 21, 2001.

The son of Jeff and Brenda Chatham of Vermillion, S.D., Chatham starred at South Dakota from 1995-98, totaling 228 tackles, including 106 solo hits. During his career at South Dakota, he had 29 tackles for loss, 15 quarterback sacks, seven pass breakups and four fumble recoveries as well as three interceptions. He totaled 74 tackles (41 solo stops) and had one interception during his senior season at South Dakota. He was named all-North Central Conference and academic all-NCC honors following his junior season. As a junior, he had 95 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, six quarterback six, a fumble recovery and a pass interception. As a sophomore, he recorded 54 tackles, including eight tackles for losses and 4.5 quarterback sacks as a starter at strong safety. As a freshman, he had five tackles and a fumble recovery.

His brother Dan is a member of the South Dakota football team.

A criminal justice major, he was signed as a rookie free agent in 2000 by the St. Louis Rams before hooking on with the Patriots two years ago.

Prior to playing for the Coyotes, Chatham played wide receiver and safety at Sioux City North where he earned all-Sioux Interstate Conference, all-Northwest, Iowa and all-Sioux City Metro honors.

A two-year starter, he earned first-team all state honors from the Des Moines Register. During that season, he had five interceptions and 103 tackles while also catching 19 passes for 426 yards, and three touchdowns. He also was a three-year starter on the North basketball team, averaging 15.1 points and 8.9 rebounds while earning all-Metro honors as a senior. Chatham received all-Northwest Iowa and all-state honors in baseball.

Matt and his wife, Erin, were married last summer.