Congratulations again to defensive end Robert Mathis (@RobertMathis98) of the Indianapolis Colts, who played his last NFL game on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mathis was considered, when he came into the league in 2003, as a very undersized defensive end. Tony Dungy, who was Mathis’ first coach in the NFL, believed in Mathis and had his name called for every game in his rookie season. Not bad for a guy that was a 5th round draft pick out of Alabama A&M University, which is also my alma mater. In Mathis’ first 3 seasons, he was used as a pass rush specialist and each season, he improved his total number of sacks recorded. Mathis would go on to become a 6-time Pro Bowler, made an All-Pro team twice, once led the NFL in sacks and was a Super Bowl champion with Dungy in Super Bowl XLI (41). As a young reporter for Alabama A&M, I got to cover a special championship celebration for Mathis. I swear to you, it was truly an honor to be there for the event, it was truly an honor to interview a Super Bowl champion. I have taken pictures with a Super Bowl champion, but never interviewed one. Mathis, was the first. So…what you will some of the interview I did with Mathis. I really do hope that he gets that golden jacket and a bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Congratulations to you, #98!
The A-Train
NOTE: The date on the video will say 2009 because I finally decided to put the reel up then, thanks to some help from a great media dad/brother/friend. Thanks CP. You know who you are.