ORONO, Maine — Khari Al-Mateen is a firm believer that God has a plan for his life.
The Baltimore native never could have imagined that would include spending five years at the University of Maine.
His talents on the football field opened the door for Al-Mateen to experience life as a Division I student-athlete. He has tried to take full advantage of the opportunity.
“I’ve learned so much since I’ve been here. I’ve done so many things,” he said.
“I’ve enjoyed literally every second I’ve been here. It’s the best decision I ever made coming here,” he added.
The senior safety looks to provide consistent play and leadership when the Black Bears take on Boston College in 1 p.m. Saturday game at Alumni Field in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
Al-Mateen has been a key member of UMaine’s secondary for three-plus seasons. Saturday will mark the 40th consecutive game he has played for the Black Bears.
“He’s been a starter the last two seasons and played a lot of football in a lot of important games,” said UMaine head coach Jack Cosgrove.
“He’s a great communicator on defense, No. 1. I think that’s something that he takes pride in, being the quarterback of the defense from the safety position,” he added.
In 2014, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Al-Mateen has served as the Black Bears’ last line of defense at free safety. He has made only six tackles, following what defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak called “Rule 21,” keeping the other 21 players on the field in front of him.
“Probably his best quality is his passion for the game,” Harasymiak said. “Everything he does is awesome in terms of effort.”
Al-Mateen has had to learn to temper his hard-charging mentality and allow the plays to come to him.
“I have to make sure I’m disciplined in all my assignments and try not to do too much,” said Al-Mateen, who makes the calls for the secondary.
UMaine was the only school to offer him a football scholarship, so Al-Mateen tries to take care of business in all aspects. He is majoring in business management with a concentration in entrepreneurship.
“Being consistent and understanding my role and having a great attitude all the time, study habits with football, study habits in the classroom, those are things that I’ve learned over the years that come with the responsibility of being a football player,” Al-Mateen said. “I pride myself in being an example in those areas for other guys.”
He has served as a shining example of what Cosgrove wants to see from his players.
“Khari’s a sharp kid. He makes a great presentation of himself,” he said. “He has an enthusiastic approach to just about everything, has got a smile on his face, is well-mannered, well-spoken.”
Al-Mateen also has developed spiritually at UMaine. He grew up as a Muslim, like his father Bakeer Al-Mateen, but has undergone a transformation in his religious life.
After doing extensive Bible reading, especially Proverbs, and participating in UMaine football’s Bible study group, he has converted to Christianity. He was baptized in April.
“I started reading more, getting closer with the Bible, praying a lot,” Khari Al-Mateen said. “I was getting closer with God and I feel like that’s the direction he led me in.”
Al-Mateen’s mother, Roshe, and his sister also are Christians. He admitted making the change has been challenging.
“It definitely has caused some issues, but I feel like my relationship with God is more important than with anyone else. We’re growing. It’ll come with time,” Al-Mateen said of a strained relationship with his father.
Al-Mateen hopes to have the chance to play football professionally. When his career is over, he wants to be able to share his leadership skills.
“I want to be in a position to lead people and help them reach their potential,” he said.
Al-Mateen believes his conversion is among the many things that have happened to enrich his life since first arriving at UMaine.
“I’m a firm believer in God and that everything happens for a reason,” he said. “I’m really, truly blessed to be here.”