Heaven Birthday, Tom Matteπ―οΈ
A Tribute to "The Garbage Man"
A first-round selection in 1961, Tom played 12 years at halfback for the
#Baltimore Colts β twice earning Pro Bowl honors.
He led the NFL in scrimmage yards and touchdowns in 1969.
Matte had the first run of 50 yards in Super Bowl history β a 58-yard rip in Super Bowl III, the longest run from scrimmage of the first 17 Super Bowls.
In the 1965 NFL Western Conference Playoff against the Packers, Matte β who had played some quarterback collegiately at Ohio State β was thrust into the role of emergency starting quarterback due to injuries to Johnny Unitas and Gary Cuozzo. He played valiantly in a controversial overtime loss.
The
#Colts' 1968 NFL Championship victory over Cleveland saw Tom score a then NFL single-game postseason record-tying three rushing touchdowns.