| No. 40 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Linebacker | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born | (1986-03-26)March 26, 1986 (age 39) San Jose, California | ||||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||
| Weight | 220 lb (100 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school | San Jose (CA) Valley Christian | ||||
| College | San Jose State | ||||
| NFL draft | 2008: undrafted | ||||
| Career history | |||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||
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| CareerAFL statistics | |||||
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| Stats at ArenaFan.com | |||||
Matthew Alexander Castelo (born March 26, 1986) is a former professionalfootballlinebacker. He was signed by theSeattle Seahawks as anundrafted free agent in 2008. He playedcollege football for theSan Jose State Spartans. Castelo was also a member of theHamilton Tiger-Cats of theCanadian Football League (CFL).
Born inSan Jose, California to aFilipino-American family, Castelo attendedValley Christian High School in San Jose, where he earned All-Central Coast Section honors twice. As a senior, he had 128 tackles, 10 sacks and was named league’s "Linebacker of the Year".[1][2]
Castelo started with theSan Jose State Spartans in 2004. In his first game against Washington, Castelo had an interception. In 2005, Castelo finished the season with 91 tackles.[1]
In 2006, Castelo was ranked number-two nationally with 165 total tackles.[3] He earned second-team all-WAC honors, and was the WAC Defensive Player of the Week. In the2006 New Mexico Bowl, Castelo had 18 tackles and 2 forced fumbles and was named the defensive Most Valuable Player.[1] He was named to ESPN.com's all-Bowl team.[4]
In2007, Castelo returned as the nation’s top returning tackler in terms of career average with a 9.42 per game.[3] Castelo had 141 tackles in his senior season.[5] He was named to the all-WAC first-team with teammateDwight Lowery.[6] Castelo completed his career at San Jose State with 433 (203 solo) tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions in 43 games.[5]
He was considered a prospect for the2008 NFL draft, but after going undrafted, signed with theSeattle Seahawks. Castelo was released from the Seahawks August 12, 2008.
Castelo signed with theHamilton Tiger-Cats on May 21, 2009.[7] He was released on June 25, 2009.[8]
On April 21, 2011, Castelo signed with theSan Jose SaberCats of theArena Football League.[9] Castelo made his professional football debut on April 23 against thePhiladelphia Soul and had 3 tackles and a sack in what would be his only game for the team.[10][11]
Castelo completed hisBachelor of Science degree in business management at theSan Jose State Lucas College of Business in August 2010.[12] He is now a real estate investor "who focuses primarily on older and distressed properties."[13]
Castelo has a strong following among fellow Filipinos. His teammates also have embraced his culture.