Just a Kid from Maine

NFL veteran Matthew Mulligan beat the odds with his outstanding career of nine years as a blocking tight end. Matt’s high school didn’t offer football, so how did this small-town kid end up playing in the NFL for nearly a decade? His journey inspires people of all ages and a variety of backgrounds. Maybe you’ve thought of picking up a new hobby or going on a new adventure. Matt’s story will encourage readers to have the courage to try something new.

Stephanie Mulligan grew up in a beautiful village in western Maine and graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with her B.S. in Elementary Education and a concentration in English. She founded the publishing company McSea Books after teaching middle school. She is also the author of How to Catch a Keeper and How to Tap a Maple. Stephanie lives in Maine with her ­husband and their darling children. Find out more at stephmulligan.com.

Matthew Mulligan is a former NFL player. Matt is credited with playing nine seasons in the NFL and signing contracts with Miami, Tennessee, New York (Jets), St. Louis, Green Bay, New England, Chicago, Arizona, Buffalo, and Detroit. 

He played in eighty-nine games for ten teams, including thirty-one starts. He played in ten playoff games and his teams made it to the AFC Championship Game three times.

Along with being a fierce blocker, he caught eighteen passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns. In 2013, Patriots fans were thrilled when he squeezed a TD pass from Tom Brady. He is currently Strength and Conditioning Coach at UMaine. He also does private consulting on strength, physical conditioning, and wellness through his company, Northern Maine Strength. Matt is an assistant pastor and resides in Northern Maine with his wife, ­Stephanie, and their three children.

Rick Parker was an artist for Marvel Comics from 1978–1996. He is also the artist of MTV’s Beavis and Butt-Head comic book, the introductory pages of Tales from the Crypt, The Pekar Project, and illustrated graphic novel parodies of popular young adult fiction and films, including Breaking Down, The Hunger Pains, and others for Papercutz Publishing. His artwork has appeared in The New York Times, The ­Village Voice, Time, U.S. News & World Report, Life, and countless books by Marvel Comics. His magnum opus, a graphic novel memoir about being drafted into the US Army at the height of the Vietnam War, will be published by Abrams Comicarts in 2022. Rick is married to Maine native Lisa Trusiani, an award-winning children’s book author, and they have lived in the Portland area for the last ten years

"In this picture-book autobiography co-authored with Stephanie Mulligan, Matthew Mulligan describes becoming a professional football player.

Growing up in a small Maine town, Matthew excels at sports and aims to “be the star of a big-league” team. He plays basketball at Husson University until a coach asks him to try football. Matthew hasn’t played football but agrees to try it. It turns out he’s a natural. He transfers to the University of Maine, spends a year “perfecting his technique,” and plays for the school’s team. Following dedicated training, he eventually becomes a tight end in the NFL, where he plays for “millions of fans.” Delighting his family and friends, Matthew sets a record as the only “Mainer...in the NFL to date...to catch a touchdown pass.” The book encourages readers to pursue their passions, courageously try new things, and acknowledge “where you came from” and who “helped along the way.” Featuring simple but effective language and short sentences, this fast-paced read depicts Matthew’s journey in a compelling, kid-friendly way. Parker’s comic-book illustrations feature bright colors and lifelike imagery. Spreads incorporate speech and thought bubbles, supplementing the story’s breezy, approachable narration.

A motivating, personal account of an NFL star.”       -Kirkus Review