row2k: By now everyone has probably seen the tattoo in question. How did you find out about it?
Matt Muffelman: Currently, I'm in California, training at the Cal Rowing Club, so with the time difference, I was one of the last people to find out. Even though I was up at 5:30am, I already had about 15 emails from friends all over, even Europe. I was still groggy, and couldn't really figure out what the heck everyone was talking about until I saw row2k. Calamity/hilarity ensued.

row2k: You must have gotten a lot of crap for it, anything exceptional?
Matt Muffelman: I got phone calls and emails from friends that I haven't seen or talked to in years regarding the photo. But my old roommate, Sam Stitt, definitely won the ball-breaking award. I can't repeat his comment in public, but suffice it to say, Stitt's in a league of his own when it comes to inappropriate comments.

row2k: Do you already have, or are you planning on getting any more tattoos after this?
Matt Muffelman: I don't have any tattoos, although I've been considering one or two which would have a rowing theme. I'm definitely going to take a longer pause before going through with it now, if I ever actually get one. My hometown boathouse had a mural covering one entire side, and it was destroyed by a punk vandal and had to be painted over. I would consider getting the now-destroyed image as an homage to the Mathews/ Mobjack Rowing Association, where I got my start.

row2k: Now that your likeness is becoming very popular with three row2k photos of the day so far, has your life changed any with all this newfound fame?
Matt Muffelman: Not really. I guess from now on, people will first think of "the guy in the tattoo" when my name comes up, but whatever. Now I'll just have to work harder and have my rowing speak even louder. All of the attention that this has attracted is pretty funny to me.

row2k: Chris Mare, the man who got the tattoo most likely just thought it was an awesome photo, any words of wisdom for him?
Matt Muffelman: I have heard that Chris is a rowing coach. Anybody who is that enthusiastic about rowing is ok in my book, and he can do a lot to promote the sport. Hopefully he can and will inspire the same in his rowers.