Indianapolis Colts defensive end Robert Mathis announced his retirement in a video posted to his Instagram on Friday.
Robert Mathis announces retirement, thanks Colts fans on Instagram
Sunday will be his last game.
Mathis spoke to the media as well on Friday, and said via the Indianapolis Star, “It’s time to step aside. The game’s been good to me. I want to walk away, not limp away. The rest of my body goes to my kids.
“It’s a joyous moment. I love everything about it,” Mathis said. “It’ll be weird not putting on the No. 98 jersey. Indy is my home. ... It’s part of me, it’s in my DNA.”
In his video, Mathis said, “I’m a Colt for life. I bleed blue through and through.”
Mathis spent all of his 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts after being drafted by them in 2003 out of Alabama A&M. The team had actually traded up to get Mathis in the fifth round.
“I liked Robert, but Bill [Polian] loved Robert,” former coach Tony Dungy told the Indianapolis Star. “I didn’t want to trade the pick. I just wasn’t sure. I told him, ‘Let’s just wait.’ Bill said, ‘No, we’re drafting this kid. We have to have him.’ He was right.”
He was named to the Pro Bowl five times, and was a first-team All-Pro in 2013, when he forced 10 fumbles, and recorded 19.5 sacks, 44 tackles, and one safety.
It’s safe to say that trade worked out for the Colts, as Mathis retires 18th on the NFL’s all-time sack list with 122.
See More:
