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Evan Mathis
Evan Mathis
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Evan Bradley Mathis (born November 1, 1981) is an American former professional football player who was a guard for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2005 NFL draft.[1] Mathis also played for the Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals.

Key Information

Early life

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Mathis graduated from Homewood High School in Homewood, Alabama, where he played football and competed in track and wrestling. He was coached by Bob Newton in football. In wrestling, Mathis won the 2000 Alabama 6A heavyweight championship. In track & field, Mathis competed in the shot put event (top-throw of 15.24 meters).

College career

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Although he bulked up from 240 pounds (110 kg) to 276 pounds (125 kg) after signing with Alabama in February 2000,[2] Mathis was redshirted as a true freshman. In April 2001, he was named the Paul Crane Most Improved Offensive Lineman for Alabama along with tight end Theo Sanders.[3] He competed with Alonzo Ephraim for the starting center job during spring practice in 2001,[4] but lost out. Instead, he beat out Dante Ellington for the starting right tackle job,[5] making his first start against South Carolina.[6]

Mathis started four seasons on the offensive line for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. His first three years he played tackle, before shifting to left guard as a senior. He started 47 consecutive games beginning in the 4th game of his redshirt freshman year. He helped anchor an offensive line that paved the way for the Crimson Tide to lead the Southeastern Conference in rushing yards per game in 2004.

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 5+14 in
(1.96 m)
304 lb
(138 kg)
32+12 in
(0.83 m)
10+34 in
(0.27 m)
4.92 s 1.66 s 2.87 s 4.16 s 7.39 s 35.5 in
(0.90 m)
9 ft 9 in
(2.97 m)
35 reps
All values from NFL Combine[7][8]

Miami Dolphins

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Mathis was signed by the Miami Dolphins on September 9, 2008, after Donald Thomas, their rookie starting right guard spot was put on injured reserve. The Dolphins released him November 8 after playing seven games for them.[9]

Cincinnati Bengals

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Mathis played for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2008 to 2010. He did not allow a sack during the 2009 and 2010 seasons.[10]

Philadelphia Eagles

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The Philadelphia Eagles signed Mathis to a one-year contract on July 31, 2011.[11] Immediately after the preseason, Mathis won the starting job at left guard for the 2011 season.[12] He signed a five-year, $25.5 million contract with the Eagles on March 17, 2012.

Pro Football Focus rated Mathis as the best guard in the NFL for the 2011, 2012, and 2013 season. In 2014, he was rated as the second best guard in the league despite missing seven games due to injury.[13]

Mathis was named to the USA Today All-Pro Team after the 2012 season.[14]

Ranked #6 overall in Pro Football Focus' Top 101 of 2012.[15] In 2013, Pro Football Focus chose Mathis for its inaugural Bruce Matthews Award recognizing the NFL's best offensive lineman.[16] He was voted First-team All-Pro in 2013 for his excellent performance with Philadelphia.[17]

Mathis was released by the team on June 11, 2015, after he held out of OTAs in search of a new contract.[18]

Denver Broncos

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On August 25, 2015, Mathis agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Denver Broncos.[19] On February 7, 2016, Mathis won his first career Super Bowl when the Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers 24–10 in Super Bowl 50.[20]

Arizona Cardinals

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Mathis signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals on March 16, 2016.[21] He was placed on injured reserve on October 8, 2016, after suffering an ankle injury in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers.[22] Mathis announced his retirement via Twitter on January 20, 2017.[23]

Personal life

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Mathis and Dwayne Johnson in 2012

Mathis's uncle is Bob Baumhower, who played defensive tackle for Alabama and the Miami Dolphins.[24] Mathis and previous wife, TikTok star Katie Mathis, coparent 3 daughters.

On April 19, 2018, Mathis sold a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle baseball card via Heritage Auctions for $2.88 million. At the time, it was the second-highest sale price for a trading card ever, behind only the T206 Honus Wagner.[25]

Mathis finished 35th at the 2019 PokerStars Players No Limit Hold’em Championship (PSPC).[26]

Mathis now runs a technology development company called mathisit (pronounced math is it).[27]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Evan Mathis (born November 1, 1981) is a former offensive guard who played 12 seasons in the (NFL) from 2005 to 2016, earning recognition as one of the league's top linemen during his tenure with the . Drafted in the third round (79th overall) by the out of the , Mathis stood at 6 feet 5 inches and weighed 301 pounds, excelling in pass protection and run blocking throughout his career. His professional journey included stints with six teams, culminating in a victory with the in 2015. Mathis began his NFL career with the Panthers from 2005 to 2007, appearing in 25 games before moving to the in 2008 and then the later that year, where he solidified his role as a starter through 2010. His breakout period came with the Eagles from 2011 to 2014, during which he started all 56 games he played, anchoring an offensive line that supported quarterback and later . In 2013, Mathis earned first-team honors from the (AP) and (), along with a selection, after allowing just one sack in over 1,000 snaps; he repeated the nod in 2014. He also received () first-team recognition in 2011, 2012, and 2013 for his elite performance. After being released by in 2015, Mathis signed with the Broncos, contributing to their championship win over the , where he started all 16 regular-season games and both playoff contests. He concluded his career with the in 2016, playing in 4 games before retiring at age 35. Over 134 regular-season games with 94 starts, Mathis appeared in five postseason games and was praised for his athleticism and durability as a Birmingham, Alabama native who rose from a mid-round draft pick to stardom.

Early life and education

High school career

Evan Mathis was born on November 1, 1981, in , and grew up in the nearby suburb of Homewood. He attended Homewood High School, where he emerged as a standout athlete in multiple sports during the late 1990s. At Homewood, Mathis played football as an offensive lineman under head coach Bob Newton, starting at tackle for his first three years before shifting to left guard as a senior. His contributions helped the Patriots secure the Class 5A state championship in his senior year of 2000. In 1999, as a junior, he earned All-State honors as an offensive lineman, highlighting his early recognition in the sport. Mathis also excelled in wrestling, competing in the heavyweight division and winning the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Class 6A state championship in 2000 by defeating Alan Klinner of Vestavia Hills 2-1 in the final. These accomplishments, combined with his football prowess, drew attention from college programs, leading to his recruitment by the , where he signed a in February 2000 at 240 pounds.

College career

Evan Mathis enrolled at the in February 2000, joining the Crimson Tide football program after graduating from Homewood High School. He redshirted his true year to bulk up from 240 pounds to 276 pounds, preparing for the physicality of Division I football, which was bolstered by his high school wrestling background that instilled a foundation for leverage and strength. Mathis made his debut in 2001 as a redshirt , earning the starting right tackle position after beating out Dante Ellington and starting in the fourth game of the season against . Throughout his first three seasons from 2001 to 2003, Mathis solidified his role at tackle, anchoring the right side of the offensive line while contributing to the team's ground game. In 2001, he was named the Paul Crane Most Improved Offensive Lineman, recognizing his rapid development and consistency. By his junior year, he had become a reliable starter, helping protect the and open lanes for runners in the Crimson Tide's run-heavy offense under coach . In his senior year of 2004, Mathis transitioned to left guard, adapting seamlessly to the interior position and starting all 12 games. Over his entire , he started 47 consecutive games on the offensive line, demonstrating durability and versatility. That season, the Crimson Tide's offensive line, with Mathis's contributions, powered a rushing attack that led the with 185.1 yards per game and 2,221 total rushing yards. Mathis's strong collegiate performance directly led to his selection by the in the third round, 79th overall, of the .

Professional career

Carolina Panthers

Mathis was selected by the in the third round, 79th overall, of the out of the . He signed a three-year contract worth $1,466,000 with the team on July 27, 2005. As a , Mathis served primarily as a backup guard, appearing in nine games without a start during the 2005 regular season. In his second season, Mathis earned the starting right guard position and appeared in all 15 regular-season games, logging starts in each. His development came under head coach John Fox, who guided the Panthers to a 9-7 record that year. However, injuries limited Mathis in 2007, where he appeared in only one game as a backup guard after missing most of the season. Over his three seasons with Carolina, Mathis appeared in 25 games with 15 starts, primarily at guard. The Panthers waived Mathis on September 1, 2008, prior to the , placing him into .

Miami Dolphins

After being released by the Carolina Panthers prior to the 2008 season, where he had served primarily as a backup following a starting role in 2006, Mathis joined the as a on September 9, 2008. Under head coach , he appeared in seven games as a reserve left guard during the 2008 season, marking his first significant on-field action since 2007. As part of the Dolphins' offensive line, Mathis contributed to a unit that supported the team's league-leading rushing attack and helped secure an 11-5 regular-season record, along with an title and a playoff berth. Mathis was waived by the Dolphins on November 8, 2008, and signed with the shortly thereafter to continue his season.

Cincinnati Bengals

Mathis joined the as a on November 24, 2008, after his release from the earlier that month. He appeared in one game for the Bengals that season without starting. In 2009, Mathis secured a starting role at left guard, where he started seven consecutive games from Weeks 2 through 8 and appeared in 13 games total. As part of the Bengals' offensive line under head coach , he contributed to protecting quarterback during a season in which the team went 10-6 and won the division. Mathis did not allow a sack in any of his starts that year. Mathis played in 12 games during the 2010 season but did not start, hampered by injuries that limited his role on the depth chart. He again did not allow a sack across his appearances. Over three seasons with , Mathis appeared in 26 games and recorded seven starts, all at left guard. On April 20, 2010, Mathis signed a one-year tender with the Bengals valued at $1.226 million, securing his return for the 2010 season. The Bengals released him on July 28, 2011, prior to .

Philadelphia Eagles

Mathis signed a one-year contract with the on July 31, 2011, following his release from the . He quickly secured the starting left guard position after the preseason and started all 15 games he played in 2011 under head coach , contributing to an offense led by quarterback that ranked among the league's most explosive. His performance that season earned him the highest (PFF) grade among guards, establishing him as a key anchor on the offensive line. In March 2012, Mathis signed a five-year, $25.5 million extension with the Eagles, securing his role through the 2015 season. He started all 16 games in 2012, again topping PFF's guard rankings while blocking for a unit that supported LeSean McCoy's league-leading rushing performance. Under new head coach in 2013, Mathis elevated his play further, starting all 16 games and earning first-team honors as well as his first selection; that year, PFF rated him the top guard for the third consecutive season. The Eagles' offense, now featuring quarterback , achieved a franchise-record scoring output, with Mathis playing every offensive snap. Mathis started nine games in 2014 before a knee injury sidelined him, yet he still earned his second nod and finished as PFF's second-ranked guard despite the limited play. Over his four full seasons with from 2011 to 2014, he started 56 games at left guard, providing consistent protection in high-powered schemes that emphasized speed and spread-option elements under both and Kelly. His tenure solidified his reputation as one of the NFL's elite interior linemen during the Eagles' competitive push in the .

Denver Broncos

After being released by the Philadelphia Eagles on June 11, 2015, amid a contract dispute, Mathis signed a one-year worth up to $4 million with the on August 25, 2015. His recent All-Pro performances with the Eagles made him an attractive option to bolster Denver's offensive line. Under head coach , Mathis quickly integrated into the Broncos' lineup as the starting left guard, protecting quarterback during the 2015 regular season. He appeared in all 16 games, starting 12 at left guard, contributing to an offensive line that supported a defense-led team to a 12-4 record and the AFC's top seed. In the playoffs, Mathis started all three games, including the AFC Championship victory over the and on February 7, 2016, where the Broncos defeated the 24-10 to secure the franchise's third NFL championship. His steady blocking helped limit the Panthers' , allowing Manning to orchestrate key drives in the title game. Following the victory, Mathis received a , with additional family rings awarded to his loved ones as part of the team's recognition of contributors. His contract with expired at the start of the 2016 league year on March 9, and he departed as a without renewal, amid general discussions of his physical condition after a demanding season.

On March 16, 2016, Mathis signed a one-year with the worth up to $6 million, joining the team as a veteran addition to the offensive line following his Super Bowl-winning stint with the the previous season. Mathis started at left guard in four games during the 2016 season (missing Week 3 due to a foot injury), contributing to an offense coordinated by that featured as a primary target. However, he suffered a season-ending ankle injury during the Cardinals' Week 5 win over the on October 6. The team placed him on injured reserve on October 8, sidelining him for the remainder of the year. Mathis officially announced his retirement from the on January 20, 2017, concluding a 12-season career in which he appeared in 134 games.

Post-NFL life

Business ventures

Following his NFL retirement in 2016, Evan Mathis leveraged his career earnings of approximately $25 million to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities in technology and the sports collectibles market. Mathis also became CEO of Pink Door Cookies, a cookie company founded in December 2020 in , in response to the . The business specializes in handmade, high-quality cookies and has grown into a notable venture for Mathis. In 2020, Mathis founded MathisIT, Inc., a technology company based in , specializing in custom software development and design solutions for various industries. The firm, accessible via mathisit.com, focuses on creating innovative software tools, including platforms for and digital marketplaces, with Mathis serving as CEO and lead designer. Mathis also engaged deeply in the sports cards sector, notably selling a rare 1952 Topps rookie card—graded PSA 9—for $2.88 million at on April 19, 2018, marking the second-highest price for a at the time. He acquired the card by trading much of his high-end collection, using the proceeds to support family relocation and further investments. In 2023, Mathis launched CardSeer, a startup aimed at revolutionizing sports card authentication, grading, and promotion through blockchain-enabled technology and a digital marketplace. To promote the platform's debut at the National Sports Collectors Convention in July 2023, he offered giveaways including his personal family ring, emphasizing CardSeer's role in verifying collectible authenticity and facilitating secure transactions. The company, available at cardseer.com, positions itself as a comprehensive tool for collectors to identify, manage, and trade items across verticals. Mathis has been vocal in the sports cards community, participating in discussions on industry practices such as card trimming—a controversial alteration technique—in a May 2023 episode of The Ringer's Sports Cards Nonsense podcast, where he shared insights from his collecting experience.

Poker and personal challenges

Following his retirement from the NFL after the 2016 season, Evan Mathis ventured into professional poker, leveraging his competitive background to compete in high-stakes tournaments. In January 2019, at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA), he made his mark by finishing 35th in the $25,000 No Limit Hold'em PokerStars Players Championship (PSPC), earning $86,400 out of 1,039 entrants. Just days later, in the same event series, Mathis achieved a career-best result by placing sixth in the $50,000 No Limit Hold'em High Roller (Event #13), securing $192,480 from a field of 61 players. These cashes marked his entry into the poker world, with total live tournament earnings reaching $353,880 as recorded in professional databases. Mathis has openly discussed his long-standing struggle with , which began during his NFL career and intensified afterward, leading to the depletion of a significant portion of his estimated $25.6 million in career earnings. In a 2023 interview on the "unCovering the Birds," hosted by Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Jeff McLane, Mathis described as a "huge part" of his story, admitting it cost him millions through compulsive betting on sports and casino games, often in secret to maintain his professional image. He revealed that the exacerbated financial instability post-retirement, forcing him to confront the emotional and monetary toll, including periods of near-bankruptcy despite his success. The aftermath of his 2016 retirement amplified these challenges, as Mathis navigated financial recovery amid personal turmoil, turning to therapy and self-reflection to rebuild. In a June 2025 interview on the "Intangible Podcast," he detailed his transformation from a state of "emotional chaos"—marked by regret over lost wealth and strained relationships—to self-mastery through mindset shifts, including and practices that helped him regain control. These efforts, combined with brief diversification into business ventures to offset losses, underscored his ongoing journey toward stability and advocacy for in sports.

References

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