Tag: Robert Mathis

Adam Vinatieri among 2025 first-year eligible Hall of Fame candidates

Adam Vinatieri is Hall of Fame eligible in 2025.

The Indianapolis Colts will have a former player enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a part of the Class of 2024, and several prominent names will headline the Class of 2025.

While former defensive end Dwight Freeney will receive his gold jacket in August during the ceremony in Canton, there are a few notable names on the ballot for the Class of 2025, including a first-year eligible player who has a strong shot to get in at some point.

Wide receiver Reggie Wayne (five-time finalist) and defensive end Robert Mathis (three-time semifinalist) will be looking to further their campaign to get into Canton.

Meanwhile, kicker Adam Vinatieri is among the headlining names on the ballot for the first time in 2025.

Whether Vinatieri is a first-ballot Hall of Famer is up for debate, and it will be a massive topic of discussion when the time comes. His credentials, though, will eventually earn him a gold jacket.

A 24-year veteran, Vinatieri was one of the greatest kickers in NFL history. His 599 field goals made and 715 field goals attempted are the most in NFL history. He also ranks second in extra points made (874) and extra points attempted (898), trailing only Hall of Famer George Blanda.

Vinatieri also holds the NFL record for most points scored in a career during the regular season (2,673) and the playoffs (238). He also holds the record for most career field goals made (56) and field goals attempted (59) in the playoffs.

A split career between the New England Patriots (1996-2005) and the Colts (2006-2019), Vinatieri was a three-time All-Pro First-Team and Pro Bowl selection (2002, 2004, 2014).

It will be interesting to see how close Vinatieri gets in his first year on the ballot, but he certainly will get in eventually.

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Reggie Wayne, Dwight Freeney finalists for 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame

Reggie Wayne and Dwight Freeney represent the Colts as finalists for the Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

A pair of Indianapolis Colts legends have been named finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024, the league announced Wednesday evening.

Former Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne and defensive end Dwight Freeney were named among the 15 modern-era finalists for the upcoming class.

This is Wayne’s fifth time on the ballot. He has made it as a finalist in each of his first five years on the ballot (2020-2024). Wayne will get in most likely sooner rather than later. His resume speaks for itself. His 1,070 career receptions and 14,345 receiving yards are more than 17 wide receivers already in the Hall of Fame.

Those numbers are both 10th all-time among wide receivers in NFL history. Wayne was a six-time Pro Bowler and was a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2010. He also holds the Colts’ franchise record for career games played (211). His 1,070 career receptions, 14,345 career yards and 82 career receiving touchdowns are all the second-most in franchise history behind Marvin Harrison.

Wayne recorded four seasons with at least 100 receptions and eight seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards. His 14,345 career receiving yards are the second-most among eligible Hall of Fame candidates.

This is Freeney’s second time on the ballot, and it’s the second time he’s reached the finalist stage. His 125.5 career sacks rank 26th all time while he was a three-time All-Pro First Team selection (2004-2005, 2009) and a seven-time Pro Bowler (2003-2005, 2008-2011).

Freeney’s 125.5 career sacks rank seventh-most among Hall of Fame eligible players.

Former wide receiver Andre Johnson, who spent the 2015 season with the Colts, also is a finalist for the Class of 2024.

Former Colts defensive end Robert Mathis was a semifinalist but did not make it to the finalist round.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be inducted during NFL Honors, on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 9:00 p.m. ET.

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Trio of Colts legends among 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists

Reggie Wayne, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

Former Indianapolis Colts defensive end Robert Mathis, wide receiver Reggie Wayne and defensive end Dwight Freeney are among the 25 modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

This will be Wayne’s fifth time on the ballot. He has made it as a semifinalist every year (2020-2024) and a finalist in each of his first four years on the ballot (2020-2023). Wayne will get in most likely sooner rather than later. His resume speaks for itself. His 1,070 career receptions are more than 13 wide receivers already in the Hall of Fame. His 14,345 receiving yards are more than 14 wide receivers already in the Hall of Fame.

Those numbers are both 10th all-time among wide receivers in NFL history. Wayne was a six-time Pro Bowler and was a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2010. He also holds the Colts’ franchise record for career games played (211). His 1,070 career receptions, 14,345 career yards and 82 career receiving touchdowns are all the second-most in franchise history behind Marvin Harrison.

This is Mathis’ third time on the ballot and the third time he’s reached the semifinalist stage of the process (2022-2024). Mathis is the Colts’ franchise leader in sacks (123) and NFL leader in forced fumbles (54), thanks to his elite strip-sack ability. He was a five-time Pro Bowler while earning an All-Pro nod in 2013 when he recorded a career-high 19.5 sacks. That also resulted in him winning the AFC Defensive Player of the Year Award.

This is Freeney’s second time on the ballot. It’s the second time he’s reached the semifinalist stage (2023) after being a finalist during his first year on the ballot). His 125.5 career sacks rank 26th all time while he was a three-time All-Pro First Team selection (2004-2005, 2009) and a seven-time Pro Bowler (2003-2005, 2008-2011).

Former Colts wide receiver Andre Johnson, who spent the 2015 season with the team, also is a semifinalist for the third consecutive year (2022-2024).

From here, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will announce 15 finalists in early January. The committee will vote, and the Class of 2024 will be inducted during the NFL Honors just before the Super Bowl. In August, the Class of 2024 will officially be enshrined in Canton.

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Indianapolis Colts’ history with the franchise tag

The Colts have applied the franchise tag on six different occasions.

The salary cap for the 2023 season has been set, which means the numbers for the franchise tag at each position has been released. Additionally, the window to apply the franchise tag opened this week.

The Indianapolis Colts don’t have an obvious candidate to receive the franchise tag, and the team hasn’t used it since 2013.

Still, here’s a look at the history of the Colts using the franchise tag since its introduction in 1993:

3 Colts legends among 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists

A trio of Colts legends are among the 28 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023.

Former Indianapolis Colts defensive end Robert Mathis, wide receiver Reggie Wayne and defensive end Dwight Freeney are among the 28 modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023.

This will be Wayne’s fourth time on the ballot. He has made it as a finalist in each of his first three years on the ballot. Wayne will get in most likely sooner rather than later. His resume speaks for itself. His 1,070 career receptions are more than 13 wide receivers already in the Hall of Fame. His 14,345 receiving yards are more than 14 wide receivers already in the Hall of Fame.

Those numbers are both 10th all-time among wide receivers in NFL history. Wayne was a six-time Pro Bowler and was a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2010. He also holds the Colts’ franchise record for career games played (211). His 1,070 career receptions, 14,345 career yards and 82 career receiving touchdowns are all the second-most in franchise history behind Marvin Harrison.

This is Mathis’ second time on the ballot and the second time he’s reached the semifinalist stage of the process. Mathis is the Colts’ franchise leader in sacks (123) and NFL leader in forced fumbles (54), thanks to his elite strip-sack ability. He was a five-time Pro Bowler while earning an All-Pro nod in 2013 when he recorded a career-high 19.5 sacks. That also resulted in him winning the AFC Defensive Player of the Year Award.

This is Freeny’s first time on the ballot, and he’s among five players who are first-year eligible semifinalists. His 125.5 career sacks rank 26th all time while he was a three-time All-Pro First Team selection (2004-2005, 2009) and a seven-time Pro Bowler (2003-2005, 2008-2011).

From here, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will announce 15 finalists in early January. The committee will vote, and the Class of 2023 will be inducted during the NFL Honors just before the Super Bowl. In August, the Class of 2023 will officially be enshrined in Canton.

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7 Colts among modern-era Pro Football Hall of Fame nominees

7 former Colts are among the modern-era Pro Football Hall of Fame nominees for the Class of 2023.

Seven former Indianapolis Colts are among the list of 129 modern-era Nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.

The list of nominees for the Class of 2023 consists of “67 offensive players, 50 defensive players and 12 special teams players. The list of Modern-Era Nominees will be reduced to 25 Semifinalists in November and, from there, to 15 Finalists whose names will be announced in early January.”

Here are the seven former Colts who are nominees for the Class of 2023:

 

Watch: Josh Allen, Jags defense workout with pass-rushing legend Robert Mathis

The Jags’ defense has continued to work out together this summer, and this week they were able to link up with pass-rushing legend Robert Mathis.

Jacksonville Jaguars edge-rusher and team Josh Allen is going to have a lot of eyes on him this season after the team bolstered the defensive line around him. Now, it will be on him to lead them into battle and help the defense, in general, take a step forward.

With training camp set to take place later this month, players on the roster have been working out to make sure they are ready come July 24. That includes Allen and the defensive line, who recently conducted workouts on the beach last week. However, they’ve continued working together this week, too, but this time under pass-rushing legend Robert Mathis.

Through his Instagram account, Allen posted a video of him and the defense getting some work in with Mathis and his training company called “The Original Gridiron Gang.” Alongside Allen were notables Travon Walker, Devin Lloyd, and Foyesade Oluokun, to name a few, in a workout that was conducted at the Jags’ facility. 

(Warning: NSFW language)

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https://www.instagram.com/p/CfvDcmRsX-i/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Many may remember Mathis from his days of sacking Jags quarterbacks with the Indianapolis Colts. However, he’s been retired since 2016 and is now helping players when it comes to fundamentals and sports performance.

As for Allen and the defense, they could be well on their way to surprising some people. The front office added both players who can help against the rush and pass between the additions of Oluokun, Walker, Lloyd, and Foley Fatukasi, among notables, and hopefully, it helps them move closer to being a top-10 overall unit.

 

“Touchdown Jaguars!” will be published weekly, giving Jags Wire readers a new go-to podcast to hear the latest in news, rumors, and more. To stay up to date, subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and feel free to rate and comment. 

Robert Mathis set for Ring of Honor induction

The Colts will induct Robert Mathis into the Ring of Honor on Sunday.

Indianapolis Colts legendary defensive end Robert Mathis will be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor during halftime of Sunday’s Week 12 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Mathis was initially going to be inducted during the 2020 season but with COVID-19 limiting the amount of fans allowed in the stadium, Jim Irsay felt it best to postpone in order for Mathis to get the proper celebration.

Head coach Frank Reich gave some words about Mathis on Wednesday.

“I just want to start off by saying congratulations to Robert Mathis obviously on his Ring of Honor. Well-deserved, everybody around here knows that for sure. I couldn’t help but see his comments about not taking anything for granted, earning a seat at the table,” Reich said. “When I read those comments I was like, yeah that’s true about this guy. I was here before as an assistant coach, got a chance to watch it up close and live. He’s a unique player, a unique person. I’m really happy for Robert and what he’s achieved and how he represents the Colts. So, an honor well-deserved.”

Mathis told J.J. Stankevitz of the team’s website how much of an honor it is to be mentioned in the same breath as some of the legends that have already been inducted.

“Very humbling, man,” Mathis said. “It’s still surreal. Just like you gotta have these guys like Bill Brooks, Peyton Manning, Jeff Saturday, Dwight (Freeney), all these guys, these legendary Colts guys. And they said, you’re next. I was like, thank you. I’ll take it. But I’m still humble all the same.”

Mathis spent his entire 14-year career donning the horseshoe from being drafted in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft all the way to his retirement following the 2016 season.

Mathis is the franchise all-time leader in sacks (123) and forced fumbles (54), thanks to his elite strip-sack ability. He was a five-time Pro Bowler while earning an All-Pro nod in 2013 when he recorded a career-high 19.5 sacks. That also resulted in him winning the AFC Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Mathis is the 17th honoree to join the Colts Ring of Honor and will be joining his running-mate in Dwight Freeney, who was inducted in 2019.

Mathis is also on the ballot as a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 for the first time since his retirement.

Reggie Wayne, Robert Mathis headline semifinalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Reggie Wayne and Robert Mathis headlines the semifinalists for the 2022 Hall of Fame class.

Indianapolis Colts legendary wide receiver Reggie Wayne and defensive end Robert Mathis are semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

This is Wayne’s third time on the ballot in total. He made it all the way to the finalist round of the voting in 2021 but didn’t make the cut. His former quarterback in Peyton Manning did. This will be Mathis’ first time on the ballot after announcing his retirement following the 2016 season.

Wayne will get in most likely sooner rather than later. His resume speaks for itself. His 1,070 career receptions are more than 13 wide receivers already in the Hall of Fame. His 14,345 receiving yards are more than 14 wide receivers already in the Hall of Fame. Those numbers are both 10th all-time among wide receivers in NFL history. Wayne was a six-time Pro Bowler and was a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2010.

Mathis is the Colts’ franchise leader in sacks (123) and NFL leader in forced fumbles (54), thanks to his elite strip-sack ability. He was a five-time Pro Bowler while earning an All-Pro nod in 2013 when he recorded a career-high 19.5 sacks. That also resulted in him winning the AFC Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Mathis is also enjoying his induction into the Colts’ Ring of Honor during halftime of the Week 12 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The next step in the process will be trimming the semifinalists down to 15 finalists before the selection committee announces the official class right before the Super Bowl in February.

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