10 Interesting Facts About Minnesota Vikings QB Matt Cassel

Matt Cassel is the QB for the Minnesota Vikings. Here are 10 interesting facts about him.

Matt Cassel who was born on May 17, 1982 in Northridge, California. He has played QB for the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs and is the starting QB for the 2014 Minnesota Vikings. He has been in the NFL since 2005.

10 interesting facts about Minnesota Vikings QB Matt Cassel

Facts #1:

Matt Cassel was elected to the Pro Bowl once in his career in 2010.

Facts #2:

Matt Cassel in elementary school played in the finals of the 1994 Little League World Series.

Facts #3:

Matt Cassel and his family lost their home to the Northridge earthquake which almost killed his father when he was trapped under a marble support column as the home was filling with water from the nearby swimming pool.

Facts #4:

Matt Cassel appeared in the HBO program, “Freshman Year,” which spotlighted his younger brother, Justin, and how hard it was for him to establish his own identity in high school following in the footsteps of older brother and standout athlete, Matt Cassel.

Facts #5:

Matt Cassel lettered in both baseball and football. Upon graduating Chatsworth High School, Matt was ranked the 8^th best Quarterback in the country and the 53^rd top athlete in the United Sates.

Facts #6:

Matt Cassel attended USC and spent his entire college career as a backup to Arizona Cardinals QB Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart who both won he Heisman trophy.

Facts #7:

Matt Cassel at USC was roommates with Carson Palmer and Pittsburgh Steelers Strong Safety Troy Polamalu.

Facts #8:

Matt Cassel played one season of baseball at USC as a pitcher, which led to him being drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 36^th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft.

Facts #9:

Matt Cassel breakout year in 2008 when QB Tom Brady suffered a season ending injury. Matt Cassel got the starting QB job and took advantage by playing all 16 games, compiling a 11-5 record passing for 3,693 yards, 21 TDs, 11 INTs, an 89.4 QBR and a 63.3% completion rate.

Facts #10:

Matt Cassel holds the distinction of leading the only team since the NFL playoff expansion to win 11 games in a season and not making the playoffs.

Sources: Sports Illustrated, Shadow Buddies Foundation, Star Street, Patriots Website, Famous Birthdays, Sports Pundit