During the closing preseason matchup between the New Orleans Saints and the Denver Broncos, lineworker Zane Matthews was honored as “Lineman of the Game” for his hard work and dedication to his job. At each Saints home game, Entergy and the Saints recognize a lineworker for excellent job performance, commitment to safety, community involvement and more.

As a journeyman lineman with four years of service in the Gonzales area, Matthews attended the game with his girlfriend, Kaliyah Taylor, who had the opportunity to see the players up close on the field before kickoff, an experience they both enjoyed.

Matthew’s career path to linework began with a recommendation from family members, who are also lineworkers, who expressed to him how much they enjoyed their job.

“My cousin Jacorey Lee is a lineworker with Entergy out of Port Allen, and I have another family member employed with a separate utility company,” said Matthews. “They both inspired me to take a chance and step into this area of work. When they spoke about hands-on training, career advancement and more … I was sold.”

To prepare for the opportunities ahead, in 2019 Matthews enrolled in lineman training at Northshore Community College in Greensburg, Louisiana, and the rest was history.

Outside of his day-to-day work, Matthews enjoys hunting, fishing, exotic and old school car shows, and riding ATVs. A lifelong football fan and former player, his favorite college team is LSU, and he credits the sport with teaching him the importance of teamwork, commitment and discipline, which are all qualities he applies every day into his daily responsibilities as a lineworker.

For Matthews, being honored at the Saints game was not only a recognition of his hard work and dedication, but a testament to how well he was raised by his mother, Nicole Robertson.

“While I know this recognition is about me, I have to acknowledge my mother,” added Matthews. “She taught me how to be strong-willed, sharp-thinking, willing to take chances and committed to anything I start. Her guidance was much more than being a parent to me and my brother; she helped shape me into the man and hard worker I am today. Thank you, Mom.”

Join us in a celebration for Matthews and the brotherhood of lineworkers across Louisiana who work tirelessly everyday to help keep the lights on.