Workhorse for the Baltimore Colts
A 1st-round draft pick of the Baltimore Colts in 1961 Ohio State All-American Tom Matte spent his entire 12-year NFL career with the Baltimore Colts. A 1st-team Pro Bowler in 1968 & 1969 he was named All-Pro in 69 when he led the league in touchdowns (13) and Total Yards (1422). Still ranks #3 on the Colts All-Time Career Rushing Touchdowns list (45) and #6 for Yards Rushing (4646).
Probably one of his most memorable moments in his career as well as in NFL History was when he started at quarterback in the Divisional Round loss of the 1965 Playoffs against the Green Bay Packers. Injuries put starter Johnny Unitas as well as back-up Gary Cuozzo out of commission. Colts head coach Don Shula made the decision to start Tom Matte, who had played quarterback in Ohio State’s run-first offense before being drafted by the Colts. The Packers pulled out a very controversial 13-10 overtime win over Matte and the Colts and would go on to defeat the Browns in the NFL Championship.
Tom Matte Image Gallery
Tom Matte Football Cards
Tom Matte All Time Career Statistics
| Rushing Stats | Receiving Stats | Totals | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Age | Team | Games | Carries | Yards | TD | Long | Y/A | Catches | Yards | Y/R | TD | Long | Touch | Y/Tch | YScm | TDs |
| 1961 | 22 | BAL | 8 | 13 | 54 | 0 | 11 | 4.2 | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 | 8 | 14 | 4.4 | 62 | 0 |
| 1962 | 23 | BAL | 14 | 74 | 226 | 2 | 29 | 3.1 | 8 | 81 | 10.1 | 1 | 22 | 82 | 3.7 | 307 | 3 |
| 1963 | 24 | BAL | 14 | 133 | 541 | 4 | 31 | 4.1 | 48 | 466 | 9.7 | 1 | 49 | 181 | 5.6 | 1007 | 5 |
| 1964 | 25 | BAL | 14 | 42 | 215 | 1 | 80 | 5.1 | 10 | 169 | 16.9 | 0 | 30 | 52 | 7.4 | 384 | 1 |
| 1965 | 26 | BAL | 14 | 69 | 235 | 1 | 20 | 3.4 | 12 | 131 | 10.9 | 0 | 15 | 81 | 4.5 | 366 | 1 |
| 1966 | 27 | BAL | 14 | 86 | 381 | 0 | 30 | 4.4 | 23 | 307 | 13.3 | 3 | 35 | 109 | 6.3 | 688 | 3 |
| 1967 | 28 | BAL | 14 | 147 | 636 | 9 | 30 | 4.3 | 35 | 496 | 14.2 | 3 | 88 | 182 | 6.2 | 1132 | 12 |
| 1968* | 29 | BAL | 14 | 183 | 662 | 9 | 23 | 3.6 | 25 | 275 | 11.0 | 1 | 50 | 208 | 4.5 | 937 | 10 |
| 1969*+ | 30 | BAL | 14 | 235 | 909 | 11♦ | 26 | 3.9 | 43 | 513 | 11.9 | 2 | 49 | 278♦ | 5.1 | 1422♦ | 13♦ |
| 1970 | 31 | BAL | 2 | 12 | 43 | 0 | 16 | 3.6 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 3.5 | 45 | 0 |
| 1971 | 32 | BAL | 14 | 173 | 607 | 8 | 26 | 3.5 | 29 | 239 | 8.2 | 0 | 34 | 202 | 4.2 | 846 | 8 |
| 1972 | 33 | BAL | 6 | 33 | 137 | 0 | 18 | 4.2 | 14 | 182 | 13.0 | 1 | 43 | 47 | 6.8 | 319 | 1 |
| 12-years with Colts | 142 | 1200 | 4646 | 45 | 80 | 3.9 | 249 | 2869 | 11.5 | 12 | 88 | 1449 | 5.2 | 7515 | 57 | ||
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
- + – All-Pro Selection
- * – Pro Bowl Selection
- ♦ – Led the League
Great Runner!