Former Colts Pass Rushing Great Robert Mathis To Be Inducted into the Franchise’s Ring of Honor

The Indianapolis Colts announced on Monday that former franchise pass rushing great Robert Mathis will be inducted into the team’s illustrious Ring of Honor on Sunday, November 22nd, when the Horseshoe hosts the Green Bay Packers.

The 39 year old Mathis played 14 NFL seasons—all with the Colts. During that same span, he recorded 123.0 sacks, 538 tackles, and 54 forced fumbles during 192 career games (121 starts).

Mathis’ 123.0 career sacks and 54 forced fumbles are the most in Colts franchise history (and his 123.0 career sacks are also the 19th most all-time in NFL history, while his 54 career forced fumbles are the most recorded in league history).

During his playing career with the Colts, the ‘undersized’ former 5th round pick out of Alabama A&M in 2003 became a Super Bowl Champion (XLI), NFL First-Team All-Pro, 5x Pro Bowler, AFC Defensive Player of the Year, and NFL Sacks Leader.

He’s simply one of the greatest defensive players in Colts franchise folklore and was a pivotal leader in their locker room—forming one of the most feared pass rushing duos in NFL history along with his former teammate Dwight Freeney.

Whenever the Colts would need a critical play late in games—whether it was a sack or even strip-sack, Mathis would always seemingly come up big when it mattered most to save the day.

Mathis will join the likes of Robert Irsay, Bill Brooks, Ted Marchibroda, Chris Hinton, Jim Harbaugh, ‘Colts Nation’, Tony Dungy, Marvin Harrison, Edgerrin James, Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Jeff Saturday, Bill Polian, Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, and Dwight Freeney among current Colts ‘Ring of Honor’ members.

It should be a well deserved honor and special day for a very special Horseshoe standout—as he joins such prestigious company in Colts franchise history.

Let’s hope the Colts can also come away with the W!