'Iron Man' Matthews to retire after 19 seasons
Jersey to be retired; will be inducted into team hall of fame
NASHVILLE, TN, July 15, 2002 -- After 296 NFL games, 14-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman Bruce Matthews announced his retirement today in Houston, Tex. He will have his number 74 jersey retired by the team and be inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame in a special ceremony during Tennessee’s home game vs. Indianapolis on Dec. 8.
After 19 NFL seasons in which he established himself as one of the best offensive linemen to ever play the game, Matthews is retiring from football.
Arguably one of the best offensive linemen to play the game, Matthews played in more games than any non-kicker in NFL history. Longevity and durability were his hallmark. And that, coupled with his unparallel play, in which he tied a league record with 14 Pro Bowl selections (tied with Merlin Olsen) and earned All-Pro honors six times, made him one of the all-time greats. He rose to the challenges presented to him in playing every position on the offensive line during his NFL career (87 at center, 99 at left guard, 67 at right guard, 22 at right tackle, and 17 at left tackle).
“He obviously was a great football player, but what I found admirable about Bruce was that God and family were clearly more important than football and this is what made him such a special man, not just a special football player,” said team owner K.S. “Bud” Adams, Jr. “We are proud to retire his jersey and induct him in our team hall of fame, and look forward to his induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.”
Matthews spent his first 14 seasons in Houston, but finished out his final five seasons in Tennessee.
A constant for the Oilers/Titans franchise, Matthews started in a team record 229 games (streak started at Indianapolis, Nov. 29, 1987) and never missed a game due to injury. His 19 seasons also are a team record and rank second in NFL history only behind Jackie Slater, who spent 20 seasons with the Rams. Matthews and Randall McDaniel were the only two NFL players to play in every game during the decade of the 1990’s.
Matthews was a part of nearly one-half of the franchise’s 42-year history and helped the team win 151 games, make the playoffs nine times, earn the only three AFC Central titles in team history, earn an AFC Championship and the franchise’s only Super Bowl appearance. He blocked for 15 quarterbacks and 27 running backs, including four different 1,000-yard rushers (Earl Campbell, Mike Rozier, Gary Brown and Eddie George). During his career, he played in offenses that produced nine 1,000 yard rushing seasons and eight 3,000 yard passers. Additionally, he played in 42 different stadiums during his NFL career.
Originally drafted by the Houston Oilers in the first round (ninth overall) of the 1983 NFL Draft, Matthews earned All-America honors at
Matthews earned 14 Pro Bowl selections during his career, tying Merlin Olson for the NFL record.
the University of Southern California. Matthews was a teammate of Titans head coach Jeff Fisher for two seasons and blocked for teammates Charles White and Marcus Allen during his Trojan career. Matthews has the distinction of blocking for five Heisman Trophy winners during his football career (White, Allen, Mike Rozier, Earl Campbell and Eddie George).
Matthews joins his brother, Clay, in playing 19 NFL seasons and the duo set an NFL record for games played by a pair of brothers with 574 games. Clay Matthews ranks sixth in NFL games played (278).
Matthews will retire to his house in Missouri City, Tex., with his wife of 19 years, Carrie, and their six children: Steven (17), Kevin (15), Marilyn (14), Jacob (10), Michael (8), and Luke (2). He is the co-owner of a construction company and is involved in a number of other business ventures.
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25-07-2002, 19:14
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