View source for Matt D'Orazio

{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1976)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name          = Matt D'Orazio
| image         =
| caption       = 
| number        = 2, 10
| position      = [[Quarterback]]
| birth_date    = {{birth date and age|1976|10|1}}
| birth_place   = [[Elyria, Ohio]], U.S.
| height_ft     = 6
| height_in     = 4
| weight_lbs    = 230
| high_school   = [[St. Francis DeSales High School (Columbus, Ohio)|St. Francis DeSales]] {{nowrap|([[Columbus, Ohio]])}}
| college       = [[Otterbein College|Otterbein]]
| undraftedyear = 2000
| pastteams     =
* [[Milwaukee Mustangs (1994–2001)|Milwaukee Mustangs]] ({{AFL Year|2000}})
* [[Cleveland Gladiators|New Jersey Gladiators]] ({{AFL Year|2001}})*
* [[Roanoke Steam]] ({{Af2 Year|2001}})
* [[Rochester Brigade]] ({{Af2 Year|2002}})
* [[Columbus Destroyers|Buffalo Destroyers]] ({{AFL Year|2003}})*
* [[Mohegan Wolves]] ({{Af2 Year|2003}})
* [[Columbus Destroyers]] ({{AFL Year|2004}}–{{AFL Year|2005}})
* [[Chicago Rush]] ({{AFL Year|2006}}–{{AFL Year|2007}})
* [[Philadelphia Soul]] ({{AFL Year|2008}})
* [[Calgary Stampeders]] ({{CFL Year|2009}})*
| highlights    =
* 2× [[ArenaBowl]] champion ([[ArenaBowl XX|XX]], [[ArenaBowl XXII|XXII]])
* 2× [[ArenaBowl]] MVP ([[ArenaBowl XX|XX]], [[ArenaBowl XXII|XXII]])
* [[Arena Football League Most Valuable Player Award|AFL MVP]] (2008)
* First-team [[All-Arena]] ([[2008 All-Arena Team|2008]])
* [[Champs Sports]] Quarterback of the Year ({{AFL Year|2008}})
* Otterbein Athletics Hall of Fame inductee (2012)
| aflstatlabel1 = Comp. / Att.
| aflstatvalue1 = 1,165 / 1,687
| aflstatlabel2 = Passing yards
| aflstatvalue2 = 12,972
| aflstatlabel3 = [[Touchdown|TD]]–[[Interception|INT]]
| aflstatvalue3 = 257–26
| aflstatlabel4 = [[Passer rating|QB rating]]
| aflstatvalue4 = 123.33
| aflstatlabel5 = Rushing TD
| aflstatvalue5 = 41
| afl           = 2449
| cfl-archive   = https://web.archive.org/web/20120227193028/http://www.cfl.ca/roster/show/id/2257 
}}
'''Matthew Louis D’Orazio''' (born October 1, 1976) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] [[quarterback]] who played in the [[Arena Football League]] (AFL). He played [[college football]] at [[Otterbein College]].

D'Orazio was a member of the [[Roanoke Steam]], [[Rochester Brigade]], [[Columbus Destroyers|Buffalo/Columbus Destroyers]], [[Mohegan Wolves]], [[Chicago Rush]], [[Philadelphia Soul]] and [[Calgary Stampeders]]. He was named the MVP of [[ArenaBowl XX]]. He was also named the 2008 AFL MVP, as well as the [[ArenaBowl XXII]] MVP, both in the same season.

==Early life==
D'Orazio attended [[St. Francis DeSales High School (Columbus, Ohio)|St. Francis DeSales High School]] in [[Columbus, Ohio]], and [[Varsity letter|lettered]] in [[High school football|football]] and [[basketball]]. In football, he was an All-State selection, and in basketball, he was an All-Conference selection. His #10 jersey was retired by the school.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://pouringpurple.com/matt-dorazio/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811234936/http://pouringpurple.com/matt-dorazio/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 11, 2017 | title=Matt D'Orazio | publisher=pouringpurple.com | access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref>

==College career==
D'Orazio originally attended [[Youngstown State University]] where he [[Red-shirt (college sports)|red-shirted]] in 1995 and played in one game in 1996. He then transferred to [[Otterbein College]], where he then set school single-season and career records for passing yards, [[touchdown]] passes and total offense. While there, he passed for 8,770 yards and 73 touchdowns while rushing for 594 yards and five touchdowns during his career. In 2012, D'Orazio was inducted into the Otterbein Athletic Hall of Fame.<ref>Otterbein University. [http://www.otterbeincardinals.com/hof.aspx?hof=49&path=&kiosk= "Otterbein University - Hall of Fame"]. Retrieved on May 10, 2013.</ref>

==Professional career==

===Milwaukee Mustangs===
D'Orazio entered the [[Arena Football League]] in [[2000 Arena Football League season|2000]], when he signed with the [[Milwaukee Mustangs (1994–2001)|Milwaukee Mustangs]], where he only spent one season. He was placed on recallable waivers by the Mustangs on January 25, 2001.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811232931/http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=22 | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 11, 2017 | title=Historical Team Transactions | publisher=arenafan.com | access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref>

===New Jersey Gladiators===
Then on March 8, 2001, he signed with the [[Cleveland Gladiators|New Jersey Gladiators]]. He was placed on recallable waivers by the Gladiators on April 9, 2001.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=102 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811233439/http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=102 | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 11, 2017 | title=Historical Team Transactions | publisher=arenafan.com | access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref>

===Roanoke Steam===
In [[2001 af2 season|2001]], D'Orazio played for the [[Roanoke Steam]] of the AFL's minor league [[af2]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2001/06/30/met_316160.shtml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811232705/http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2001/06/30/met_316160.shtml | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 11, 2017 | title=Stallions fall to Roanoke | publisher=chronicle.augusta.com | date=June 30, 2011 | access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref>

===Rochester Brigade===
In [[2002 af2 season|2002]], D'Orazio signed with the [[Rochester Brigade]] of the af2. For the season, he went 324-of-522, for 3,372 passing yards, 51 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He also rushed for 332 yards and 20 touchdowns, an af2 alltime record.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/news/?page=pressrel&article=9170 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811231351/http://www.arenafan.com/news/?page=pressrel&article=9170 | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 11, 2017 | title=af2 week 13: Quick Hitters | publisher=arenafan.com | date=June 19, 2008 | access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref>

===Buffalo Destroyers===
In [[2003 Arena Football League season|2003]], D'Orazio returned to the AFL, signing with the [[Columbus Destroyers|Buffalo Destroyers]]' practice squad on February 19, 2003.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=42 | title=Historical Team Transactions | publisher=arenafan.com | access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref> He was released by the Destroyers on April 9, 2003.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/afl-veteran-puleri-signs-with-buffalo/n-1991049 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811231803/http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/afl-veteran-puleri-signs-with-buffalo/n-1991049 | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 11, 2017 | title=AFL VETERAN PULERI SIGNS WITH BUFFALO | publisher=oursportscentral.com | date=April 9, 2003 | access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref>

===Mohegan Wolves===
D'Orazio played for the [[Mohegan Wolves]] of the af2 in 2003.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores103/103199/20030718AFL2-MOHEGAN---0.htm | archive-url=https://archive.today/20170812000839/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores103/103199/20030718AFL2-MOHEGAN---0.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 12, 2017 | title=Wilkes-Barre vs. Mohegan | publisher=usatoday30.usatoday.com | date=July 18, 2003 | access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref>

===Columbus Destroyers===
He signed with the [[Columbus Destroyers]] on November 18, 2003, and played for the team until [[2005 Arena Football League season|2005]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=103 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811231706/http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=103 | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 11, 2017 | title=Historical Team Transactions | publisher=arenafan.com | access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref>

===Chicago Rush===
On November 3, 2005, he signed a two-year contract with the [[Chicago Rush]].<ref name="chi">{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=64 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811232111/http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=64 | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 11, 2017 | title=Historical Team Transactions | publisher=arenafan.com | access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-11-04/sports/0511040261_1_frontier-league-squad-practice | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812011452/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-11-04/sports/0511040261_1_frontier-league-squad-practice | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 12, 2017 | title=Baseball AMERICAN LEAGUE Cleveland: Moved Joel... | publisher=[[Chicago Tribune]] | date=November 4, 2005 | access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref> At the end of the [[2006 Arena Football League season|2006 season]], he led the league as the top-rated passer (126.2), and the top rusher with 200 yards and 10 touchdowns. In [[ArenaBowl XX]], he threw for 250 yards and six touchdowns, as well as rushing for two. He was named Offensive Player of the Game and game MVP for his performance. In the off-season following the [[2007 Chicago Rush season|2007]] season, D'Orazio was released by the Rush on November 7, 2007.<ref name="chi"/> The team did not want to wait until January to make a call on whether to keep him following his 2007 back injury during the playoffs.<ref>McCarthy, Jack. [https://www.espn.com/extra/afl/news/story?id=3498983 "D'Orazio didn't plan on leading Soul to ArenaBowl XXII"]. ''[[ESPN.com]]'', July 22, 2008. Retrieved on May 10, 2013.</ref> He was replaced by former [[Arizona Rattlers]] quarterback [[Sherdrick Bonner]].

===Philadelphia Soul===
In [[2008 Philadelphia Soul season|2008]], D'Orazio later signed with the [[Philadelphia Soul]] as a backup to [[Tony Graziani]]. He became the starting quarterback when Graziani was injured and was out for the season. D'Orazio was voted the AFL MVP for the season while leading Philadelphia to [[ArenaBowl XXII]], where they defeated the [[San Jose SaberCats]] 59-56, and was named MVP of the game, as well. Along with [[George LaFrance]], he is one of only two players to be named MVP of the [[ArenaBowl]] while playing for two different teams.<ref>''ArenaFootball.com''. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20160102172741/http://www.arenafootball.com/history/arenabowl.html "ArenaBowl"]}}. Retrieved on May 10, 2013.</ref>

===Calgary Stampeders===
On February 13, 2009, the [[Calgary Stampeders]] of the [[Canadian Football League]] signed D'Orazio. He was released on June 25, 2009.<ref>''CFL.ca''. [https://www.cfl.ca/article/across-the-cfl-cut-down-day-2009 "Across the CFL: Cut Down Day 2009"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629025655/http://www.cfl.ca/article/across-the-cfl-cut-down-day-2009 |date=2009-06-29 }}. June 25, 2009. Retrieved on May 10, 2013.</ref>

===AFL statistics===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan=2 | Year !! rowspan=2 | Team !! colspan=7 | Passing !! colspan=3 | Rushing 
|-
! {{tooltip|Cmp|Passes completed}} !! {{tooltip|Att|Passes attempted}} !! {{tooltip|Pct|Completion percentage}} !! {{tooltip|Yds|Passing yards}} !! {{tooltip|TD|Passing touchdowns}} !! {{tooltip|Int|Interceptions}} !! {{tooltip|Rtg|Passer rating}} !! {{tooltip|Att|Rushing attempts}} !! {{tooltip|Yds|Rushing yards}} !! {{tooltip|TD|Rushing touchdowns}}
|-
|[[2000 Arena Football League season|2000]] || [[2000 Milwaukee Mustangs season|Milwaukee]] || 1 || 2 || 50.0 || 40 || 0 || 1 || 56.25 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
|[[2005 Arena Football League season|2005]] || [[2005 Columbus Destroyers season|Columbus]] || 205 || 324 || 63.3 || 2,246 || 40 || 6 || 106.84 || 50 || 178 || 8
|-
|[[2006 Arena Football League season|2006]] || [[2006 Chicago Rush season|Chicago]] || 305 || 434 || 70.3 || 3,552 || 63 || 5 || 126.24 || 56 || 200 || 10
|-
|[[2007 Arena Football League season|2007]] || [[2007 Chicago Rush season|Chicago]] || 353 || 511 || 69.1 || 3,803 || 82 || 10 || 122.09 || 61 || 127 || 12
|-
|[[2008 Arena Football League season|2008]] || [[2008 Philadelphia Soul season|Philadelphia]] || 301 || 416 || 72.4 || 3,331 || 72 || 4 || 131.32 || 56 || 224 || 11
|- class="sortbottom" style="background:#eee;"
| colspan=2 | '''Career''' || 1,165 || 1,687 || 69.1 || 12,972 || 257 || 26 || 123.33 || 223 || 729 || 41
|}
''Stats from ArenaFan'':<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/players/2449/ | title=Matt D'Orazio | publisher=arenafan.com | access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090625213519/http://www.stampeders.com/team/player_roster/career/?id=173 Calgary Stampeders bio]

{{Columbus Destroyers starting quarterback navbox}}
{{Chicago Rush starting quarterback navbox}}
{{Philadelphia Soul starting quarterback navbox}}
{{ArenaBowl XX}}
{{ArenaBowl XXII}}
{{ArenaBowl MVPs}}
{{Portal bar|American football|Biography|College football}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:D'Orazio, Matt}}
[[Category:1976 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Elyria, Ohio]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Lorain County, Ohio]]
[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:Canadian football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:Players of Canadian football from Ohio]]
[[Category:Otterbein Cardinals football players]]
[[Category:Milwaukee Mustangs (1994–2001) players]]
[[Category:New Jersey Gladiators players]]
[[Category:Buffalo Destroyers players]]
[[Category:Manchester Wolves players]]
[[Category:Columbus Destroyers players]]
[[Category:Chicago Rush players]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Soul players]]
[[Category:Calgary Stampeders players]]
[[Category:Roanoke Steam players]]
[[Category:Rochester Brigade players]]