Cam Newton, Richard Dent among Atlanta鈥檚 top 10 NFL stars
3. Robert Mathis, DE, McNair
Coming out of McNair High School, Mathis wasn鈥檛 a highly-coveted prospect. The defensive end landed at Alabama A&M, but proved just how talented he was. In his senior season, Mathis racked up 20 sacks, an NCAA 1-AA record. Despite playing for a lower-level school, Mathis鈥� talent did not go unnoticed as he was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Although Mathis was not a regular starter in his first few seasons in the league, he made an immediate impact. In both his second and third NFL seasons, Mathis led the league in forced fumbles and racked up 22 sacks. By 2006, the Alabama A&M product became a full-time starter, making a career-high 65 tackles and 9.5 sacks. With a feared defense that included the likes of Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders, Mathis helped the Colts to a win in Super Bowl XLI. Following an injury-riddled 2007, Mathis would become a Pro Bowl player in each of the next three seasons. He would also make the Pro Bowl in 2012 and 2013, the latter of which was perhaps the best season of his career. Mathis racked up 59 tackles, forced 10 fumbles and made a league-best 19.5 sacks in 2013 as a first-team All-Pro. Unfortunately, the defensive end missed the 2014 season with a torn Achilles. He was never quite the same upon his return, but still mustered 12 total sacks in the final two years of his career. Spending all 14 NFL seasons with the Colts, Mathis made 538 tackles, 123 sacks and forced 54 fumbles.
highlights day 36
46 days to go!
January 1, 2017
Robert Mathis would play the final game of his legendary career against the jaguars. He would cap off his career with one final strip sack on QB Blake Bortles. The Colts would win 24-20.
— Colts Coverage (@Colts_Coverage)