Las Vegas Raiders running back and San Bernardino High School graduate Alexander Mattison thanks those who attended a Thursday, June 27, 2024, ceremony on campus to retire his old jersey. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Mattison, a 2016 graduate of San Bernardino High School, was in town for the event, along with family members and another local sports legend — 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, who graduated in 2019 from the city’s Cajon High School. Daniels will play for the Washington Commanders.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison, left, and Washington Commanders quarterback and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels are seen Thursday, June 27, 2024, at a San Bernardino ceremony to retire Mattison’s No. 22 jersey from San Bernardino High School. Daniels attended Cajon High School in the city. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Alexander Mattison, a Las Vegas Raiders running back and San Bernardino High School graduate, is seen Thursday, June 27, 2024, after his high school jersey was retired in a ceremony in San Bernardino. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Alex Ruiz holds 5-month-old daughter Suriana Ruiz as he shakes hands with Las Vegas Raiders running back and San Bernardino High School graduate Alexander Mattison in San Bernardino on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Mattison signed autographs and spoke to fans after his high school jersey was retired. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison, right, makes a phone call with Washington Commanders quarterback and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels on Thursday, June 27, 2024, after Mattison’s high school jersey was retired during a ceremony in San Bernardino. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Las Vegas Raiders running back and San Bernardino High School graduate Alexander Mattison, left, laughs as football coach Jeff Imbriani tells stories about his high school days during a jersey retirement ceremony in San Bernardino on Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Las Vegas Raiders running back and San Bernardino High School graduate Alexander Mattison, second from left, and his family watch as his high school jersey is retired in a Thursday, June 27, 2024, ceremony in San Bernardino. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Las Vegas Raiders running back and San Bernardino High School graduate Alexander Mattison speaks Thursday, June 27, 2024, during his jersey retirement ceremony in San Bernardino. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Las Vegas Raiders running back and San Bernardino High alum Alexander Mattison speaks during his Thursday, June 27, 2024, jersey retirement ceremony in San Bernardino. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Alex Ruiz holds his 5-month-old daughter Suriana Ruiz to show the autograph of Las Vegas Raiders running back and San Bernardino High School graduate Alexander Mattison in San Bernardino on Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Las Vegas Raiders running back and San Bernardino High School graduate Alexander Mattison hugs Michael Aragon, his former Pop Warner football coach, during Mattison’s jersey retirement ceremony in San Bernardino on Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Las Vegas Raiders running back and San Bernardino High School graduate Alexander Mattison is seen Thursday, June 27, 2024, as he listens to stories about his high school playing days as his old school retires his No. 22 jersey. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Las Vegas Raiders running back and San Bernardino High School graduate Alexander Mattison accepts a certificate from San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran during Mattison’s jersey retirement ceremony in San Bernardino on Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Las Vegas Raiders running back and San Bernardino High School graduate Alexander Mattison signs autographs and talks with fans after his Thursday, June 27, 2024, jersey retirement ceremony at the high school. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Alexander Mattison’s former Pop Warner football coach, Michael Aragon, speaks Thursday, June 27, 2024, about their time together during Mattison’s jersey retirement ceremony in San Bernardino on Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Las Vegas Raiders running back and San Bernardino High School graduate Alexander Mattison, center, and his family are seen Thursday, June 27, 2024, with his retired high school football jersey during a ceremony in San Bernardino. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Family and members of the news media document a Thursday, June 27, 2024, jersey retirement ceremony at San Bernardino High School for Las Vegas Raiders running back and campus graduate Alexander Mattison. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Las Vegas Raiders running back and San Bernardino High School graduate Alexander Mattison talks with fans Thursday, June 27, 2024, after his jersey was retired in a ceremony at the high school. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Alexander Mattison’s 1-year-old daughter Alayah Mattison plays with VIP passes during a Thursday, June 27, 2024, ceremony to retire his high school jersey in San Bernardino. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran speaks Thursday, June 27, 2024, at a ceremony to retire the San Bernardino High School jersey number of Las Vegas Raiders running back and San Bernardino High graduate Alexander Mattison. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Lamarr Mattison, left, dances on stage with his younger brother, Las Vegas Raiders running back and San Bernardino High School graduate Alexander Mattison, during a Thursday, June 27, 2024, ceremony in San Bernardino to retire Mattison’s high school jersey. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Pearl Mattison, the mother of Alexander Mattison, listens to him speak Thursday, June 27, 2024, at a ceremony to retire his San Bernardino High School jersey Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison, right, hugs Washington Commanders quarterback and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels during a Thursday, June 27, 2024, ceremony on campus to retire Mattison’s jersey. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Las Vegas Raiders running back and San Bernardino High School graduate Alexander Mattison thanks those who attended a Thursday, June 27, 2024, ceremony on campus to retire his old jersey. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Held in the San Bernardino High stadium, the ceremony saluted Mattison, who is now a running back for the Las Vegas Raiders.
“Seeing my jersey, No. 22, retired at San Bernardino High School, the place where my dreams began, is incredibly humbling,” Mattison said, according to a San Bernardino City Unified School District news release. “This community has always been my foundation. It’s here where I learned the values of hard work and perseverance, and it’s these lessons that have carried me through my career.”
His retired jersey will be displayed at San Bernardino High.
The event also included comments from his past coaches and an chance for fans to chat with Mattison and get autographs.
The ceremony to retire Mattison’s red No. 22 jersey also recognized his community service.
Mattison founded the I AM GIFTED Foundation, which aims to inspire youths and nurture their athletic talents. The foundation supports young athletes and offers training.
Thursday evening’s ceremony came as Mattison was preparing to stage a free youth football camp at UC Riverside from Friday, June 28, to Sunday, June 30. In addition to gridiron skills such as passing, catching and running, the camp is addressing positive mental health practices, financial literacy and NCAA rules.
