GLENDALE, Ariz. — Chris Matthews’ career NFL stat line when he arrived at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday — 29 total snaps on offense, zero targets from Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

He was more likely to be the answer to a Trivial Pursuit question than to take on a starring role in Super Bowl XLIX after recovering an onside kick that was critical to the Seahawks’ dramatic NFC Championship victory over the Green Bay Packers.

Even many Seahawks fans had to check their programs to find out who No. 13 was when the first-year wide receiver hauled in a twisting 44-yard pass with 4:19 remaining in the first half to kick start Seattle’s floundering offense Sunday. Matthews’ first career touchdown came a few minutes later, when Wilson looked to the 6-foot-5, 218-pound target for an 11-yard score to tie the game, 14-14.

The former undrafted rookie and 2012 Canadian Football League rookie of the year had been active for just five games all season, and it was only his special teams contributions that separated him from rookie Jordan Norwood on the pre-game inactive list. The photo of Matthews on his player profile on the team’s official website shows him in a University of Kentucky uniform.

It’s a safe bet Matthews was not a focal point of Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s defensive game plan, but Sunday he emerged as the big, physical receiving threat that the Seahawks’ offense sorely missed since Sidney Rice played his final game before a season-ending knee injury in 2013.

The improbable story line continued when Wilson’s first pass of the second half was a 45-yard completion down the left sideline to Matthews, who used his size — and a slight push — to reel in the pass over New England Patriots cornerback Kyle Arrington. Still in man coverage, Wilson hit him again for a nine-yard completion to open the following drive.

Four targets, four completions, 109 yards and one touchdown. That would be Matthews’ final reception of the game, and unfortunately much of his heroics Sunday will be forgotten for most following the dramatic 28-24 Patriots victory in one of the most dramatic Super Bowls in history.

At least Matthews’ special teams days may be behind him.

Matthews, 25, was working at a Foot Locker when Seattle called him for a tryout following the end of last season. He nearly skipped the tryout because the Seahawks wanted him to fly out that night.

“I don’t get off of work until 9 p.m.,” he told Sports Illustrated after the NFC Championship Game. “I don’t know if I’ll make it.”

Matthews did not make the roster out of training camp and was signed to the practice squad twice before being elevated to the active roster on Dec. 6.

Matthews’ first NFL action came the following day in a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles and his special teams play kept him on the active list for all but one of the team’s remaining games.

Less than two months later, Matthews was almost the Seahawks’ offensive savior on the biggest stage in sports, catching his first passes in a professional football game since 2013.

Matthews originally signed with the Cleveland Browns after going undrafted in 2011 but failed to make the team out of training camp. He surfaced in the CFL with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2012, catching 81 passes for 1,192 receiving yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie.

The following season was hampered by a turf toe injury that limited him to 14 catches for 138 yards and one touchdown in just four games. He went on to work as a security guard and at Foot Locker.

But he was still on the radar of the Seahawks, and went from afterthought to postseason star in 12 months.

Matthews will still enter the 2015 season without a regular-season reception, but very much in the Seahawks’ future plans.

It is premature to call Matthews a rising star, but he certainly fits into the mold of how general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll have built one of the league’s deepest — and youngest — rosters poised to enjoy long-term success.

Matthews was one of 24 undrafted rookies on the Seahawks’ 53-man roster for Super Bowl XLIX, and one of 12 that Schneider and his staff found after being released by other teams.

“Man, I almost messed up, bad,” Matthews told SI about nearly skipping his tryout. “And look at this now.”