NFL Hall-of-Famer Bruce Matthews
Guest Speaker
2007 FCA AutoZone Liberty Bowl Prayer Breakfast About Bruce Matthews: Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August 2007, the former Oiler and Titan standout played in more games (311) than any positional player in NFL history, including 15 playoff games. Matthews was a former All-American at Southern California before becoming the 9th overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft. Beginning in 1988 and continuing through his final year, he was selected to the Pro Bowl each and every season. His 14 consecutive Pro Bowls (9 at guard, 5 at center) tied Hall-of-Famer Merlin Olsen for the most ever.
A three-time NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year, Matthews started 292 of his 296 games played in the regular season and started all 15 playoff games in which he played. He began his pro career as a guard and eventually played every position along the Oilers/Titans offensive line during his long career. He made his most starts at guard (99 on the left side, and 67 as the right guard) and center (87). He also started 22 games as the team’s right tackle and 17 at left tackle.
Matthews was named first-team All-Pro nine times (1988-1993, 1998-2000) and All-AFC 12 seasons (1988-1993, 1995-2000). He was selected as a guard on the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s. In 1999, Matthews helped lead the Titans to the AFC championship, where they advanced to Super Bowl XXXIV and narrowly lost to the St. Louis Rams. More important than his lengthy list of on-the-field accomplishments, Bruce Matthews is a committed Christian known for his character, integrity and humble spirit.
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