Former Akron football standout Matthew Cherry is the writer, producer and co-director of ‘Hair Love’, which won an Oscar for animated short at the 92nd Academy Awards on Feb. 9, 2020. Cherry’s animated short film “Hair Love” tells the heartfelt story of an African-American father learning to do his daughter’s hair for the first time.
 
Cherry played football at Akron from 2000-03 and was named All-MAC Second Team selection at wide receiver in 2003.  Cherry still holds two punt return records at Akron – 305 punt return yards in a single-season (2003) and two punt returns for touchdowns in a single-season (2003). Cherry was the Zips team captain his senior season and was a two-time recipient of the team’s Harry ‘Doc’ Smith Award, given to player who gave himself to the University and program.

Cherry entered the NFL undrafted and played three seasons in the NFL – Jacksonville Jaguars (2004), Cincinnati Bengals (2005) and Carolina Panthers (2006) and Baltimore Ravens (2007).  Cherry retired from the NFL in 2007 following an injury and pursued his film career.  Cherry studied mass media, radio and television at Akron.