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Soccer pro who fell from grace tells prom-bound Elmwood Park youngsters of his fatal DWI mistake

PUBLIC SAFETY: As juniors and seniors at Elmwood Park High School listened intently this morning, former pro soccer player Matthew Maher told them how he had the world on a string before getting into a crash while driving drunk that killed a 55-year-old father of six.

Jerry DeMarco

Maher, who turned 31 this past Monday, was a role model, active in his community and accomplished in athletics and academics, before his (literally) fatal mistake on March 7, 2009.

Matthew Maher (Courtesy NJ DEPT of CORRECTIONS)

Released from prison last August after more than 4½ years behind bars, he’s been telling his story — contained in the autobiographical “I’m That Guy” — to as many youngsters as he can.

“We felt his message was important to put out this time of year with school proms being a month away,” said Elmwood Park Police Chief Michael Foligno, who coordinated the presentation with officials at Elmwood Park Memorial High School.

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