Robert Nathan Mathis was born on February 26,1981 and is an American former professional football player who spent his entire 14-year career as a defensive end and outside linebacker with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League.
30 Facts About Robert Mathis
2.
Robert Mathis is the NFL's all-time leader in forced fumbles and strip sacks.
3.
The year after retiring, Robert Mathis joined the Colts as an assistant defensive coach.
4.
Robert Mathis set an NCAA I-AA record with 20 sacks during his senior season and established himself as one of the most dominant defensive players in NCAA I-AA history.
5.
Robert Mathis was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the 138th selection in the 2003 NFL Draft.
6.
Robert Mathis immediately stepped in during his rookie season as a pass rush specialist, playing in all 16 regular season games and recording 20 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.
7.
That year, Robert Mathis helped the Colts go on to beat the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI to become NFL Champions.
8.
In 2007, Robert Mathis recorded 32 tackles, 7 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in an injury shortened season.
9.
In 2008, Robert Mathis had his best statistical season to date, posting 48 tackles, 11.5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles.
10.
Robert Mathis was voted to the 2009 Pro Bowl for the AFC behind then-teammate and perennial Pro-Bowler Dwight Freeney.
11.
In November 2009, Robert Mathis won his first career AFC Defensive Player of the Month award, and finished the season with 37 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles.
12.
Robert Mathis recorded 9.5 sacks during the 2011 regular season, along with 43 tackles and 3 forced fumbles.
13.
On January 2,2012 Robert Mathis was added to the AFC Pro Bowl Roster to replace Patriots DE Andre Carter.
14.
On January 23,2012 Robert Mathis decided not to play in Pro Bowl.
15.
Robert Mathis recorded 33 tackles, 8 sacks, and 1 forced fumble in 12 games during the 2012 season.
16.
On March 5,2012, Robert Mathis signed a one-year tender worth $10.6 million.
17.
Robert Mathis then signed a four-year $36 million contract on the same day.
18.
Robert Mathis began playing strong-side outside linebacker under new Colts head coach Chuck Pagano during the 2012 season.
19.
In week 5 of the 2013 season against the Seattle Seahawks, Robert Mathis recorded the 100th sack of his career.
20.
Robert Mathis became the 30th player in league history to accomplish the feat.
21.
On November 24,2013 during a game against the Cardinals, Robert Mathis recorded his 40th career strip sack, breaking the previous record held by Jason Taylor.
22.
Robert Mathis was awarded the inaugural Deacon Jones award for leading the NFL in sacks, and won his second AFC Defensive Player of the Month award of the 2013 season for his performance in December.
23.
Robert Mathis finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting behind Luke Kuechly of the Carolina Panthers.
24.
On May 16,2014, it was announced that Robert Mathis would serve a 4-game suspension for violating the leagues' drug policy.
25.
Robert Mathis issued a statement later that day claiming that his violation of the league's performance-enhancing drug policy was due to taking unapproved fertility drugs to conceive a child.
26.
On September 8,2014, it was reported that Robert Mathis had torn his Achilles tendon while working out on his own, sidelining him for the season.
27.
On December 30,2016, Robert Mathis announced that he would retire following the Colts Week 17 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
28.
Robert Mathis passed former teammate Dwight Freeney for 17th most sacks in NFL history, and extended his own record for most career strip sacks.
29.
Robert Mathis appeared as himself in the episode "Fluoride" of the comedy television series Parks and Recreation, alongside teammates Andrew Luck, Reggie Wayne, Adam Vinatieri, Anthony Castonzo, and Colts owner Jim Irsay.
30.
In 2017, Robert Mathis joined the Colts coaching staff as a Pass Rush Consultant.