Trevon Mathis was volunteering to help coach kids on the same Homewood field where he learned to play.

Little did he know Thursday he would quickly go from the Homewood Community Sports Bulldogs to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“It still hasn’t hit me all the way,” Mathis said late Friday night after playing extensively in a 30-28 Steelers win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “I had so much emotion when I found out that (the Steelers) were going to (sign him). I was actually at my Little League where I used to play football at, and I was helping coach when I got the call.

“When I got that call, it was a dream come true. I went home, packed my bags and went right out.”

And a day later and without the benefit of a practice with the team, Mathis was thrown onto the field at cornerback. With the position hit by injuries, Mathis played much of the second half.

He finished tied for third on the team with four tackles.

“The coaches kept it simple for me,” Mathis said. “They knew I was coming in late, so they tried to put me in the best position to succeed considering the circumstances so I wouldn’t have to think too much and be in position to have a good game.”

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 10, 2019

Mathis was a first-team all-conference and second-team all-state selection as a senior at Woodland Hills in 2013. He started 33 games at Toledo and was a captain of the 2017 Mid-American Conference champion team as a senior.

The 5-foot-10, 186-pound Mathis proudly showed off Pittsburgh-themed tattoos on his left arm, including one that included the Steelers logo. He spent last year’s training camp with the Minnesota Vikings, but his heart always has been in Pittsburgh.

“I’ve been a Steelers fan for a long time,” Mathis said, “so it’s an honor to be home and put on the black and gold. I don’t take it for granted. I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.”

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