INDIANAPOLIS – It's a remarkable story when you consider where Matt Overton was back in 2011.
Unemployed. Cut from a team in the United Football League.
Overton, then 26 years old, had to seriously ponder his future in football.
A resume that includes stops with the Tri-Cities Fever, Florida Tuskers and Omaha Nighthawks doesn't read "NFL-caliber."
But Overton wasn't ready to give up on his dream, even if he knew the window was closing.
Overton promised to put all his effort into one final push in 2012.
The break came at a specialists Combine in Arizona, where new Colts assistant special teams coach Brant Boyer saw Overton.
A workout in Indianapolis followed before the Colts signed Overton in April of 2012.
Three years later, Overton, fresh off letting the ink try on another contract with the Colts, looked back on his journey.
"It's been a roller coaster," Overton said on Wednesday afternoon.
"To be at this point now and to return for my fourth year is pretty incredible. I'm lucky to be here on such a great team, such a great city."
In 48 career games with the Colts, Overton has been a mainstay on a revival of special teams units in Indianapolis.
He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2013. The next season, Adam Vinatieri and Pat McAfee joined Overton as recent Pro Bowlers.
"The success on the field as a unit has been incredible," Overton said.
"That's been something I know we've strived for every year. Since I've been here, it was kind of like the Colts special teams was the bruise of the team, ranked low every year. The new regime came in and the attitude changed. Every year so far we've gotten better. I think that's just the tip of the iceberg really. I think the attitude has changed. Guys have bought into special teams, especially the young guys. It starts with Adam. It starts with guys like Pat. It's just cool to be a part of that."
Led by the All-Pro kicking duo of Vinatieri and McAfee, the Colts are making it a point to keep butts in seats.
"You don't go to the bathroom on fourth down because we are going to change the game," Overton said.
Overton has helped the Colts flip the script in several games thanks to special teams plays over the past three seasons.
In 2012, Overton joined veteran long snapper Justin Snow in Colts Training Camp.
A year after being released from the UFL, Overton was about to make the Colts 53-man roster and begin an NFL career extending into a fourth season in Indy.
"I'm just lucky to be here," Overton said on Wednesday.
"Hopefully, like I've said since I've been here, I can play as long as Justin Snow did and be a huge anchor on the special teams for a long time."
