Jason Mathews

Samuel Jason Mathews (born February 9, 1971 in Orange, Texas) is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League. He played for the Indianapolis Colts (1994–1997) and the Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1998–2004).

Early years
Jason Mathews attended Bridge City High School in Bridge City, Texas, where he lettered in football, baseball, and track. After his graduation in 1989, he attended Brigham Young University for one year, playing defensive lineman. He spent his next three years of college eligibility at Texas A&M University. Mathews lettered all three years he was at Texas A&M, and started at right tackle during his junior and senior years. Mathews left A&M at the end of his college eligibility, a few credits shy of graduation. Jason Mathews graduated from Bridge City High School in 1989 where he lettered in football, basketball, and track. He also earned The Eagle Scout Award as a freshman and All-District honors as a two-way lineman. Mathews lettered three years at Texas A&M after attending Brigham Young as defensive lineman for one year. He started at right tackle as a junior and senior at A&M then was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts during his senior year in the third round of the 1994 NFL Draft.During his first year as and Indianapolis Colt, he played in 10 games as reserve right tackle and on special teams. In the following year he started all 16 games at right tackle and started in three playoff games as Colts advanced to the 1995 AFC Championship game. By the third year he was playing both right and left tackle in the Colts' wild card loss to Pittsburgh in 1996. In his last year with the Colts he played 16 games as reserve tackle and on special teams. Mathews signed as a free agent with the Tennessee Oilers on September 1, 1998 after being waived by Tampa bay on the final cutdown day. The team became the Tennessee Titans in 1999 and Jason Mathews earned an AFC Championship ring after an unforgettable Super Bowl XXXIV against the St.Louis Rams in Atlanta, Georgia. He is married to Kim (Roy) Mathews who is also from Bridge City. The couple has one son named Bryce Jason and reside in Nashville, Tennessee. Mathews recently signed a four-year contract with the Titans.

NFL years
Mathews was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 1994 NFL Draft to play right tackle and special teams. In his first year with the Colts, he played in 10 games. In his second year, he was the starting right tackle in all 16 regular-season games and the team's 3 playoff games as they fell just short of the AFC Championship. He played for the Colts for two more years, as left tackle, right tackle, reserve tackle, and on special teams.

In 1998, Mathews signed with the Tennessee Oilers (later the Tennessee Titans) as a free agent. The team earned the AFC Champshionship in 1999, and played the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV, however Mathews didn't make it on to the pitch in the showpiece final. The Titans list Mathews as being 6'5" tall and weighing 285 pounds.

In the 2003 offseason, Mathews returned to school so that he could finish the requirements for his degree. In 2004, Mathews joined other members of the community in personally greeting President George W. Bush as he visited Nashville. Mathews continued to play for the Titans, wearing number 76, until 2005.

Post-NFL
In 2005, Mathews announced his retirement from football. He became the associate dean at Montgomery Bell Academy for 11th and 12th grades, and assisted with the school's football program. In 2006, Mathews began working as a facility coordinator for D1 Sports Training in Nashville. The facility is owned by Peyton Manning.

Mathews has taught Seminar class and coached the football team at The Ensworth School. Mathews recently announced that he will leave Ensworth at the end of the school year, to join the Brentwood Academy. At BA Mathews teaches Economics and coaches football.

Personal
Mathews is married to the former Kim Roy, a fellow native of Bridge City. They have one son and one daughter. Mathews now is an economics teacher at Brentwood Academy, where he teaches many great students.