Veterans Gabbert, Salopek Return to MAC Media Day

SwingRX Golf Performance is proud to bring you this week's Front Row Feature.
For more information, visit https://SwingRXGolf.com.

- - -

CANTON, Ohio— Brett Gabbert surveyed the field inside Yager Stadium. He raced to his right, cut back to elude a defender, and crossed the goal line for a touchdown.

A familiar sight for Miami Football fans, to be sure. NCAA Football 25 video game at MAC Media Days

NCAA Football 25 video game at MAC Media Days

But this particular version of Gabbert happened to be a character on a video game screen. On this Friday morning, the real-life Gabbert and teammate Matt Salopek were actually sitting side-by-side on a couch –controllers in hand—in a second-floor conference room at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The annual MAC Media Days festivities were underway, and the Miami contingent was making its rounds through the facility filming various forms of content and conducting a myriad of interviews.

The current assignment? Compete as RedHawks vs. RedHawks in EA Sports' NCAA Football 25.

"Don't tell me you've got wheels," Salopek laughed.

"Sally, you're losing to a guy that doesn't even know how to play this game," head coach Chuck Martin retorted.

Things got a bit surreal when Salopek's team got the ball next, as the sixth-year linebacker was trying to execute the offense (including begging Martin for assistance with the playcalling, to no avail) while Gabbert controlled the on-screen defensive rushers who were trying to sack…Brett Gabbert.

"How does it feel to hit yourself on a video game?" Martin asked his veteran quarterback.

- - -

While July 19 is the official date of the MAC Football Kickoff, the itinerary began the previous afternoon, as the student-athletes from each conference institution received a guided tour of the Hall of Fame.

Matt Salopek at Pro Football Hall of Fame

Matt Salopek at Pro Football Hall of Fame

Salopek, a native of nearby Kent, Ohio, took special note of exhibits related to his favorite hometown club, the Cleveland Browns.

"Here's our perfect season," he pointed out on a grid showing every franchise's season-by-season record as he gestured to the 0-16 mark in 2017.

"No Super Bowls," he shook his head resignedly.

Gabbert knows plenty about Super Bowls. He was in attendance in February as the Kansas City Chiefs claimed the most recent NFL title in Las Vegas, watching older brother Blaine Gabbert win his second career Super Bowl ring.

As Brett Gabbert explored the museum with the MAC entourage, he frequently stopped to take pictures with his cell phone, including capturing the image of a Tom Brady jersey (one of his brother's former teammates).

The group spent the most time in a room with the bronze busts of each Hall of Fame inductee, where Miami legends such as Paul Brown and Weeb Ewbank are enshrined. They also took time to pose with a Steelers jersey highlighting the career accomplishments of RedHawk great and future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger.

"It's really cool that the MAC's got [this event] at the Pro Football Hall of Fame," Martin said later. "If you like football, this is the football mecca of the world. It's just a cool way to kick off the season.

"Camp's right around the corner, so having it here just makes it a little more special."

An interactive locker room-style video presentation with life lessons from the likes of Joe Namath, Warren Moon, Steve Largent and Jim Kelly wrapped up the VIP experience. Gabbert, Salopek, and the other MAC standouts then posed for a group photo outside before heading to dinner at The Brew Kettle & TopGolf Swing Suites next door.

The golf simulators inside the restaurant were a highlight of the evening, even if it happened to involve more good-natured trash talk between Gabbert and Salopek. The teammates (and roommates!) enjoy playing golf together on a regular basis, but, for some reason, had significant differences of opinion when asked who gets the better of the play most often. Brett Gabbert TopGolf at MAC Media Day

- - -

When Friday morning rolled around, Gabbert sat at a table with a pair of script Miami football helmets in front of him, munching on breakfast and waiting for the series of interviews to begin. The next few hours would bring a barrage of queries, cameras, lights and recorders as he chatted with everyone from ESPN analysts to local beat reporters.

The sixth-year signal-caller from St. Louis, Mo. had an inkling what most of the inevitable questions would be about: His return to the lineup after suffering a broken leg last October.

Gabbert's goal is to be under center when the RedHawks kick off the season opener on Aug. 31 at Northwestern, which would make him one of the few –or maybe only?—answers to the following trivia question:

What college football quarterback has started the season opener in six consecutive years for the same program?

Getting back on the field "would mean a lot to me personally just because I've had so much support along the way from family, friends, coaches, teammates, and even players and coaches from other schools cheering me on and wishing me well," Gabbert said.

"At one point I pretty much told myself I was done and not going to play football again," he added. "Then a couple months later, I was doing really well in recovery. The surgeons and doctors all thought I would be fine, and I [decided] I might as well give it one more shot.

"I might not ever play this game again after this year, so I just want to come out here, play the game I love and have fun."

Gabbert's teammates can't wait to have him in the huddle again. "His resiliency is unmatched," said Salopek. "He's one of the toughest guys I've ever met, one of the best competitors I've ever met and one of the best leaders I've been around, on and off the field.

"It's a huge confidence booster when you see '5' calling the plays. Having him back is going to be huge."

- - -

Salopek was back for his second Media Days experience after making the trip to Detroit's Fox Theatre last summer, while Gabbert was on round three (getting his first taste of the event at Cleveland's House of Blues in 2022). An added bonus for Salopek with this year's event taking place in Canton: Getting to sleep in his own bed afterwards.

Miami at MAC Media Days

"I only live 30 minutes away, so I'll be staying home for the weekend and I get to hang out with the family," he explained.

Salopek has averaged nearly 127 tackles the past three seasons, including a career-best 144 in 2023. He said his goal this fall is 150.

Well…

"150…plus," the reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year smiled.

Miami allowed less than 11 points per game in MAC play last season, including a pair of shutouts, to rank as the conference's best scoring defense since 2000. Salopek told reporters he expects more of the same in his final season wearing the Red and White.

"I have confidence in our team that we can be really good…we've been trying to instill all offseason that we can play with anybody and beat anybody, anytime, anywhere…

"I think we can be even better this year." Chuck Martin at MAC Media Days

- - -

Coming off the program's 17th Mid-American Conference championship, expectations are clearly high for the RedHawks both inside and outside the program. In fact, the first news out of Canton on this particular morning: Miami was picked in the annual coaches' poll to finish with the league's best record and repeat as MAC champs.

"At the end of the day, it's a preseason poll and it doesn't matter, because you still have to go out there and play the game," said Gabbert. "After coming off a good season, more than likely you're going to get everyone's best game and best shot."

The RedHawks' MAC opener is set for Oct. 5 at Toledo in a rematch of last December's title game, but Miami will first prep for #MACtion with a loaded non-conference slate that includes Northwestern, Cincinnati, Notre Dame and UMass.

"It's a daunting task when you look at our schedule, including starting off with three Power Five schools back-to-back-to-back," Martin said.

"You couldn't make a more challenging schedule…we'll be as battle-tested as anyone."

- - -

Brett Gabbert and Matt Salopek at Pro Football Hall of Fame

Brett Gabbert and Matt Salopek at Pro Football Hall of Fame

Although showdowns with the Wildcats, Bearcats and Fighting Irish loom in the near future, the vibe on this particular day is still rather loose and light-hearted with the opener still six weeks away. During the down time between interviews, Salopek, Gabbert, and Martin each clearly enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with friends and acquaintances from several of the other MAC schools.

"Everyone's like, 'I met these guys and they're great,'" Martin said with a satisfied expression on his face, gesturing at his offensive and defensive leaders. "I go, 'Well, I've got 70 more of them in our locker room.'

"We got here a decade ago and talked about building this thing the right way…we recruited kids that can not only play football at a very high level and helped us become the premier program in our league, but they fit Miami.

"We talk about love and honor here, and we've done it in the image of love and honor. Having high-quality students and high-quality people – we're very proud of how we've built it.

"We tried to build it to last, and obviously, it has lasted.

"And it just continues to get better and better."

Find more Front Row Features at: MiamiRedHawks.com/FrontRowFeatures

Miami Football season tickets and mini plans are on sale now! Get your tickets today and make sure you're at Yager Stadium for the home opener on Sept. 14 when Cincinnati visits in the annual Battle for the Victory Bell.

Veterans Gabbert, Salopek Return to MAC Media Day

Players Mentioned

Brett Gabbert

Matt Salopek

Related Videos