Matt Bando

Married to Saba Bando. Proud father of @zainbando99, Drake University Alumnus

[Zain Bando ™️ @zainbando99]

Another year around the sun. Grateful for my life, family, friends, profession, and the comfort of being my best self.

I hope 27 brings together new memories, milestones, places, ups, downs and everything in between. Grateful for all the love I received today so far and am looking forward to the year ahead. Appreciate you all. #virgo #birthday #sports #sportsmedia 🧡🤍💙 🎉

[Matt Bando @mattbando]

@randallwhite See guys like Jesse Watters have never been in a playground fight, Street fight, bar fight or a fight standing up for a friend or someone who needed help.
He is what you call a stick bag weasel with no arms.

[Matt Bando @mattbando]

@zainbando99 @BoilerBall @PackMensBball @UConnMBB @AlabamaMBB @MarchMadnessMBB @NCAA @MFinalFour @StateFarmStdm Who the hell is with you…

[Zain Bando ™️ @zainbando99]

Awesome to be back in Champaign today! Took in a big #Illini MBB win against Colgate and got tours of the FICE building as a member of the Fan Council. Thanks to @CassieArner for the hospitality, along with everyone in DIA. #famILLy #HTTO #EveryDayGuys

[Zain Bando ™️ @zainbando99]

Two weeks ago today, I did it. Plus what journalism and my life’s journey mean to me as a wheelchair-user. #MyMedillStory #GoCats 💜🤍🎓♿️

[Zain Bando ™️ @zainbando99]

A year ago today, I woke up as a Master’s student entering my first day at Medill while also celebrating my 23rd birthday. A year later, I’m now 24 with endless possibilities and double-degreed. 🎓🎓

Grateful for all the support!!! 💜🤍

[Zain Bando ™️ @zainbando99]

RIP Pops! ❤️🙏 1935-2023

A note about his impact on my life!

This morning, I learned that my grandpa and proud MSU alumni, Paul Bando, passed at age 88 due to natural causes.

As seen in this picture, taken in Sept. 2015 at Gridiron Greats in Detroit, our loves of the NFL, Big Ten and Michigan State football intertwined. I have countless memories of living and dying with Spartan football and MBB during my younger years with grandpa. I truly believe if I wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be as stir-crazy about collegiate athletics as many of you know me to be.

Thank you for the amazing moments, countless strolls across Glen Ellyn to Glenbard West football games, sleepovers and wrestling matches. Everyone who knew you wished they had just a bit of your personality, because its comedic nature is second-to-none.

I love you, pops! Now you can rewatch Cousins to Nichol over and over again as if it happened live!

See you soon! #RIP 🤍🙏

Paul Bando

2-11-1935 to 9-24-2023!

[Zain Bando ™️ @zainbando99]

Today is World CP Day. For those who don’t know, I live with a disability called cerebral palsy, which impacts all four limbs and leaves me with limited mobility in my right arm and lower extremities. As such, I use a wheelchair for day-to-day independent transportation around my house, with my friends and everything in between.

The wheelchair is an extension of who I am, and for those who know me well (even just a little bit), I do my best to be as transparent as possible when discussing how my life differs from others, including the challenges I might face when compared to the rest of my peers and those who are around me.

Not to make this too deep, but here are three things you can start doing right now to make a difference for people like me.

1. Don’t use the word confinement, as in “confined to a wheelchair.” It makes it sound like I never leave my seat, which is 100% false.

2. Say “he lives with a disability” instead of just saying “disabled.” To some people, it can look like their outlook on life is only dictated by what people think of them. Not having full control of your language and definitions makes the situation worse.

3. Ask before assisting someone. Most people assume we can’t open doors, hold a football for catch, or access the computer independently. Instead of assuming, just politely ask and then it’s up to me, or the person being asked. For those who have been with me in social settings, or otherwise, you know this too well.

Thank you for reading about a part of me I don’t discuss as much on here publicly, but I hope you learned something new and how it is the biggest aspect of my strive for independence! 💚♿️ #WorldCPDay

[Zain Bando ™️ @zainbando99]

This Thanksgiving, I’m super thankful for many things, but one of the biggest is my new wheelchair that I got at the end of last week. On a daily basis, when out of my chair, I’m in a sitting position or laying down because of the fact I can’t walk independently due to my disability. The F5 Permobil model now allows me to stand up whenever I want, which gives me a ton of benefits. Not only does it help my body use different muscles, but it also lets me talk to people at the same height, reach things at different angles, stand when everyone else does, and so much more!

I’m looking forward to seeing what my independence will continue to become and how this new feature will help me along life’s journey!

I hope you all have a fantastic day! #DisabilityMatters ♿️ #independentliving #newwheelchair

[Zain Bando ™️ @zainbando99]

Excited to share that I will be contributing to @BellatorMMA as a rankings panelist for #Bellator294 and beyond. This is a new and exciting venture for me and I’m looking forward to giving back to the sport of MMA in the process. Thanks to everyone for their support! 👊

[Zain Bando ™️ @zainbando99]

Amazing experience getting to watch #Bears minicamp at Halas Hall and interview #Sooners DB Justin Broiles (@JustinbroilesJ)

Grateful for @MedillSchool and @mkisaacson for making this possible. Thanks to @LarryMayer and @kfishbain for their time, too! 🐻🏈 #MyMedillStory

[Zain Bando ™️ @zainbando99]

Here for Cubs-Cardinals at Wrigley Field while also sporting Northwestern for its annual night at the ballpark!!! #GoCubsGo ⚾️🐻

[Zain Bando ™️ @zainbando99]

Work the last few weeks! #MyMedillStory

[Matt Bando @mattbando]

@Popper7773 @Super70sSports Back in the late 70’s i would ride my bike to the White Hen pantry to grab this dandy!!!

[Zain Bando ™️ @zainbando99]

In real time, it’s insane. In picture form, it’s pure bliss. #Illini

📸: Courtesy of @IlliniAthletics IG!

[Zain Bando ™️ @zainbando99]

23 days till kickoff! #BeatWyoming #famILLY

[Zain Bando ™️ @zainbando99]

Seven more days till Week 0!!! I won’t be there, but for those of you who are going, make sure Memorial Stadium is bumping! #Illini #BeatWyoming #famILLY

[Zain Bando ™️ @zainbando99]

First home opener I won’t be at (if you don’t count the COVID season) since I started undergrad. For anyone going today, media or otherwise, I hope it’s absolutely electric at Memorial Stadium. I have never seen this much anticipation for a season in my life! #famILLY

[Zain Bando ™️ @zainbando99]

Excited to be back for Homecoming and Dads Weekend this Fall to see the #Illini play Minnesota and Sparty! Should be a fun season! #famILLY @IlliniFootball

[Matt Bando @mattbando]

@zainbando99