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Matt Chatham
Matt Chatham
Matt Chatham
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Matthew L. Chatham (born June 28, 1977) is an American former professional football linebacker. He played college football at South Dakota. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for the New England Patriots and New York Jets.

Key Information

Early life

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Chatham attended Sioux City North High School in Sioux City, Iowa, and won All-State honors in football and baseball.

College career

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Chatham attended the University of South Dakota. As a junior, he made 95 tackles and six interceptions. In his senior year he made 74 tackles and one interception. He was a double major in English and Criminal Justice at South Dakota.[1]

Chatham received a Masters in Business Administration from Babson College in 2011.

Professional career

[edit]

Chatham was signed by the St. Louis Rams as a rookie free agent but was released before the start of the regular season.

He spent the first six seasons of his career in New England, including contributing to three of the Patriots' Super Bowl victories (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX). He was known as one of the leaders of the Patriots' special teams. During the 2003 season, he recorded his first and only NFL touchdown when he recovered a Tiki Barber fumble in a game against the New York Giants and returned it for a 38-yard touchdown.[2] In Super Bowl XXXVIII, he tackled streaker Mark Roberts, who had come onto the field just before the second-half kickoff.[3]

NFL career statistics

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Regular season

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck Sfty Int Yds Lng TD PD FF FR Yds TD
2000 NE 6 0 2 2 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2001 NE 11 0 14 13 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2002 NE 13 0 17 14 3 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2003 NE 16 4 38 25 13 1.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 38 1
2004 NE 5 0 2 2 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2005 NE 15 0 23 16 7 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
2006 NYJ 16 0 29 16 13 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2007 NYJ 9 0 18 12 6 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 91 4 143 100 43 2.5 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 38 1

Retirement career

[edit]

Chatham now runs an NFL informational column in the Boston Herald called "The Chatham Report" and appears every Sunday morning on WEEI with Kevin Faulk, Dale Arnold and Christopher Price. He can be found on Twitter under @chatham58. He is a regular columnist on the Football By Football website. Chatham is also an in-studio football analyst with NESN.

He has also received his MBA from Babson College and has started a creperie restaurant franchise called Skycrepers.

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Matt Chatham

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Matt Chatham (born June 28, 1977) is a former linebacker who played professionally in the (NFL) for eight seasons, primarily as a special teams contributor and situational defender, and is best known for winning three championships with the . Born in , and raised in , Chatham attended North High School, where he excelled in football and earned induction into the Iowa High School Football Hall of Fame in 2016. He later played at the , where he was a standout on defense, recording 228 tackles, 10 sacks, and 23.5 tackles for loss over his career, including a second-team All-North Central Conference selection as a junior with 95 tackles. A three-time All-Academic honoree in the conference, Chatham graduated in 1999 with a double major in and English before being inducted into the University of South Dakota's Coyote Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. Undrafted in the , Chatham signed as a rookie free agent with the but was released before the season; he then joined the Patriots' in 2000 and made the active roster, beginning a six-year tenure with the team. Over 91 career games (with 4 starts), he amassed 143 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries, including a return in 2003, while contributing on special teams during the Patriots' dynasty era. His tenure with included victories in Super Bowls XXXVI (2002), XXXVIII (2004), and XXXIX (2005), making him a key reserve in the team's three championships within four years. Chatham concluded his playing career with two seasons (2006–2007) for the in the , appearing in 25 games without a start. After retiring from the in 2007, Chatham pursued an MBA from in and briefly worked in before transitioning to . Drawing from his family's tradition of cooking and smoking meats, he launched the "Rub Smoke Love" brand around 2022, specializing in custom seasonings like Beef Cake and Gold Bark rubs, as well as glazed nuts, with products available in over 400 retail stores and online as of 2024. Residing in the area with his wife Erin and two children, Chatham has focused on family and his food business, emphasizing culture and holiday gift options.

Early years

Childhood and high school

Matt Chatham was born on June 28, 1977, in . He was raised in , where he grew up in a household influenced by his father's background as a former minister, fostering a community-oriented environment through church-related activities and family gatherings. Chatham attended North High School in Sioux City, graduating in 1995. There, he distinguished himself as a multisport , particularly in football and . In football, he played linebacker and special teams, earning first-team all-state honors as a linebacker in 1994 while contributing to the team's efforts in the Sioux Interstate Conference. His versatility and performance on the field highlighted his athletic potential early on. In , Chatham also received all-state recognition, showcasing his skills as an and contributing to the Stars' competitive play. In 2016, he was inducted into the High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame for his contributions in football and . These experiences in Sioux City laid the foundation for his transition to at the .

College career

Chatham enrolled at the in 1995, where he pursued a double major in English and . He graduated in 1999, balancing his academic pursuits with a standout performance on the football field. Over four seasons with the South Dakota Coyotes from 1995 to 1998, Chatham amassed 228 total tackles, including 10 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss, while playing linebacker in the . As a junior, he recorded 95 tackles and earned second-team All-NCC honors, and in his senior year, he tallied 74 tackles with one . His academic excellence was recognized with three All-Academic selections in the NCC, highlighting his dual commitment to scholarship and athletics. Chatham's high school all-state honors at Sioux City North had paved the way for his recruitment to , where he developed into a versatile defender. Following the , he signed as an undrafted free agent with the , marking the transition from his collegiate achievements to professional opportunities. In recognition of his contributions, Chatham was inducted into the Coyote Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.

NFL career

New England Patriots

Matt Chatham joined the in 2000 after being waived by the , with whom he had signed as an undrafted free agent following the . He was claimed off waivers by the Patriots on August 28, 2000, marking the beginning of his six-season tenure with the team under head coach . During this period, Chatham established himself as a key contributor on special teams and in rotational linebacker duties, appearing in 77 games (66 regular season and 11 postseason) from 2000 to 2005. Chatham's role was particularly vital on special teams, where he provided consistent coverage and tackling support, helping to solidify the unit's reputation as a strength of Belichick's early defenses. He participated in the Patriots' three consecutive Super Bowl victories—XXXVI in 2002, XXXVIII in 2004, and XXXIX in 2005—often making impactful plays in those games, such as the opening kickoff tackle in Super Bowl XXXVIII and the final defensive stop to clinch that championship. One memorable moment came during the halftime of Super Bowl XXXVIII, when Chatham tackled streaker Mark Roberts on the field, preventing further disruption. Additionally, in 2002, he recorded the first tackle in the history of Gillette Stadium during the Patriots' home opener. Under Belichick's emphasis on versatile, team-first players, Chatham exemplified the gritty, undervalued contributors who helped lay the foundation for the Patriots' dynasty in the early 2000s. His perseverance from an undrafted rookie to a three-time underscored the coaching staff's focus on special teams excellence and depth, elements central to the team's sustained success during this era.

New York Jets

Chatham signed with the as a on March 13, 2006, reuniting with former teammate , who had become the Jets' head coach. Primarily serving as a backup linebacker and special teams contributor, he aimed to compete for a starting outside linebacker position during the offseason. During the 2006 preseason, Chatham suffered a foot injury that tore ligaments in his left foot, forcing him to wear a custom shoe with a carbon fiber plate for support throughout and the regular season. He appeared in all 16 regular-season games that year without starting, recording 29 combined tackles (16 solo) and one tackle for loss. A highlight came on November 12, 2006, when the Jets defeated the 17-14 at , snapping New England's seven-game against them; Chatham contributed on special teams in the victory. The Jets finished 10-6 and qualified for the , where Chatham played in their wild-card loss to the , notching three tackles. In 2007, Chatham began the season on the reserve/ list due to ongoing injury recovery but was activated on October 30 after missing the first eight games. He played in the final nine games without starting, accumulating 18 combined tackles (12 solo) and one tackle for loss, with no sacks or interceptions. The Jets ended the year 4-12, missing the playoffs, and Chatham was not retained afterward, marking the end of his eight-season career.

Career highlights

Matt Chatham, an undrafted free agent out of the in 1999, signed with the before joining the in 2000, embarking on an eight-season NFL career marked by perseverance and key contributions as a linebacker and special teams player. Chatham was part of the Patriots' dynasty, contributing to three championships following the 2001, 2003, and 2004 seasons (Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII, and XXXIX). One of his most memorable plays came on , 2003, when he recovered a fumble forced by teammate on New York Giants running back and returned it 38 yards for a , helping secure a 17-6 victory. In on February 1, 2004, Chatham made the final tackle of the game on Carolina Panthers returner to seal the 32-29 win, and earlier in the halftime festivities, he leveled a streaker who invaded the field, preventing further disruption. As a core special teams member of the Patriots' championship teams, Chatham earned recognition for his reliability in coverage and blocking units, often leading tackles in high-stakes games during his tenure.

Career statistics

Regular season

Matt Chatham appeared in 91 regular-season games over eight NFL seasons, starting four, while contributing on defense and special teams for the New England Patriots from 2000 to 2005 and the New York Jets from 2006 to 2007. His role emphasized versatility, particularly as a special teams ace who ranked third on the Patriots with 12 special teams tackles in 2001, alongside linebacker duties. The following table summarizes his year-by-year regular-season defensive statistics, including games played (G) and started (GS), tackles (solo, assisted, combined), sacks (Sk), interceptions (Int), forced fumbles/recoveries (FF/FR), and fumble return touchdowns (FRTD). Tackle totals reflect defensive contributions only.
YearTeamGGSSoloAstCombSkIntFF/FRFRTD
2000NWE602020.000/00
2001NWE110131140.000/00
2002NWE130143170.000/00
2003NWE1642513381.501/21
2004NWE502020.000/00
2005NWE150167231.000/00
2006NYJ1601613290.000/00
2007NYJ90126180.000/00
Career Regular-Season Totals: 91 games played, 4 started; 100 solo tackles, 43 assisted, 143 combined; 2.5 sacks; 0 interceptions; 1 forced fumble, 2 recoveries (including 1 returned for a touchdown in 2003).

Postseason

Chatham appeared in four postseason runs with the New England Patriots from the 2001 to 2005 seasons, contributing to their Super Bowl victories in 2001 (XXXVI), 2003 (XXXVIII), and 2004 (XXXIX), as well as a Wild Card and Divisional Round appearance in 2005; he also played one playoff game with the New York Jets in 2006. Over 12 total postseason games, he recorded 15 combined tackles (12 solo, 3 assists) with no sacks, primarily serving in special teams and backup linebacker roles, including key coverage and tackling duties during championship drives. His contributions were most notable in the Super Bowls, where he contributed tackles and helped secure victories through defensive stops and special teams play. In against the , he made 1 solo tackle in the 20–17 win. During versus the , he recorded 2 solo tackles in the 32–29 triumph. In against the , he added 1 assisted tackle in the 24–21 victory. The following table summarizes his postseason statistics by season:
SeasonTeamGames PlayedGames StartedSolo TacklesAssisted TacklesSacksSpecial Teams Notes
2001NWE30400.0Coverage and kick coverage units
2003NWE30400.0Special teams tackling support
2004NWE30030.0Backup linebacker and special teams
2005NWE20100.0Limited special teams role
2006NYJ10300.0Wild Card coverage duties
Career Totals-1201230.0Primarily special teams across all games

Post-NFL life

Media and broadcasting

Following his retirement from the after the 2007 season, Matt Chatham transitioned into sports media, leveraging his experience as an undrafted player and three-time champion to provide insider analysis on football. He began contributing regularly to outlets focused on the and broader topics, emphasizing player perspectives and strategic insights. In , Chatham launched "The Chatham Report," a twice-weekly column in the that debuted on September 6 in the Patriots Preview section and continued with Friday and Tuesday publications, offering post-game breakdowns and commentary from a former player's viewpoint. He has maintained a presence in print media, including contributions to , where he analyzes roster dynamics and team strategies. Chatham joined as a football analyst in 2011, serving until February 2022 in roles covering Patriots games, NFL topics, and studio segments like pregame shows alongside hosts such as Courtney Cox. His tenure included in-depth discussions on team performance and player development, drawing from his on-field tenure. On radio, he was a regular on WEEI's NFL Sunday program starting in the early 2010s, appearing weekly to preview games and field calls. By the mid-2010s, he expanded to the Patriots on 98.5 The Sports Hub as preseason , providing sideline analysis for broadcasts with play-by-play announcer Dan Roche, a role he continued into 2025. In August 2025, he guest-hosted on The Sports Hub's Toucher and Rich to discuss Hard Knocks and Patriots roster age. Chatham has frequently appeared on podcasts, sharing expertise on undrafted players' paths—a topic close to his own career as an undrafted from the . Notable spots include the 2024 Principles of Performance podcast, where he detailed his journey, and the April 2025 Patriots Fourth and Two, analyzing draft prospects and rookie challenges. In July 2025, he commented via on undrafted rookie Efton Chism III's potential with the Patriots, highlighting opportunities. His media work has evolved to include digital platforms, maintaining a focus on objective analysis through 2025.

Business and education

After retiring from the NFL, Matt Chatham pursued advanced business education, earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Babson College in 2011. During his studies, he developed an innovative fast-serve restaurant concept centered on customizable crepes, which won Babson's prestigious Douglass Prize business plan competition in 2011, awarding $20,000 in cash. Chatham founded SkyCrepers, LLC, a creperie franchise emphasizing "crepe fries"—a patented thin, fry-like crepe variation—in the early , opening its inaugural location at Mall in , in . The business targeted quick-service customization with savory and sweet options, aiming for franchising primarily in while self-funding initial operations; however, it closed its initial location in the early . His wife, , who also holds an MBA, collaborated on the launch, blending their entrepreneurial skills to build the brand. Building on this foundation, Chatham shifted focus to custom food products in the smoked and BBQ sector, launching Rub Smoke Love, LLC, in 2022 as a line of all-natural spice rubs and seasonings. The brand's signature offerings include Beef Cake, tailored for beef cuts, and Gold Bark, an East-meets-West fusion blend suited for , , and , emphasizing versatile, balanced sweet-savory profiles without artificial additives. By late 2023, products were distributed in over 150 retail locations across the U.S., alongside online sales through rubsmokelove.com, with expansions into complementary items like agave-glazed pecans and cashews, plus seasonal BBQ gift boxes. Chatham's transition to custom food entrepreneurship was highlighted in a 2023 NFL Alumni Association profile, underscoring his evolution from ownership to scalable packaged goods rooted in personal cooking expertise. In 2024, Rub Smoke Love received broader exposure through a Globe feature, where Chatham demonstrated the rubs' applications for grilling and smoking during preparations. As of 2025, the venture continues to grow through retail partnerships and tasting events, maintaining Chatham's commitment to high-quality, NFL-inspired food innovation while integrating with his media profile for promotional reach.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ChatMa20.htm
  2. https://www.nflalumni.org/2023/12/11/matt-chatham-veteran-linebacker-turned-custom-food-culture-entrepreneur/
  3. https://siouxlandnews.com/sports/content/chriss-story
  4. https://goyotes.com/honors/coyote-sports-hall-of-fame/matt-chatham/31
  5. https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/where-are-they-now-matt-chatham
  6. https://www.facebook.com/rubsmokelove/
  7. https://www.patriots.com/news/matt-chatham-aiming-high-with-skycrepers-86746
  8. https://north-middle.siouxcityschools.org/o/north-high/page/football
  9. https://goyotes.com/news/2002/1/28/012802aaa_7472
  10. https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-matt-chatham-to-the-active-roster-sign-khori-ivy-to-practic-149636
  11. https://goyotes.com/news/2005/1/30/013005aaa_999
  12. https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/the-hurley-edition-three-time-super-bowl-champion-matt-chatham/
  13. https://www.bostonherald.com/2014/01/31/chatham-gives-naked-truth-on-streaker-hit/
  14. https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/patriots-past-present-react-bill-belichick-leaving-new-england-parting-ways-seymour-mccourty-chung-edelman-chatham-nfl/
  15. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30273224/before-dynasty-bill-belichick-forgotten-2000-season-new-england-patriots
  16. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200611120nwe.htm
  17. https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2003/10/13/patriots-beat-giants-after-scooping-turnovers/cd1bjLISm5h2Ln7Xwg4NsN/story.html
  18. https://nesn.com/2017/01/heres-awesome-footage-of-patriots-matt-chatham-decking-a-super-bowl-streaker/
  19. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ChatMa20/gamelog/post/
  20. https://www.bostonherald.com/2012/08/30/ex-patriot-matt-chatham-joins-herald-nfl-team/
  21. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/matt-chatham/
  22. https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-chatham-56222224
  23. https://www.patriots.com/news/broadcast-information-patriots-vs-panthers
  24. https://985thesportshub.com/episodes/toucher-and-rich-matt-chatham-talks-patriots-and-hard-knocks-premieres-hour-2/
  25. https://principlesofperformance.blubrry.net/2024/04/09/podcast-089-an-inside-look-at-an-nfl-career-with-matt-chatham/
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5biG-i-3hU
  27. https://www.facebook.com/weareallpatriots/posts/first-impressions-of-udfa-efton-chism-iii-via-taylor-kyles-clns-analystefton-chi/1202076458601155/
  28. https://www.forbes.com/sites/petercohan/2011/05/13/3-super-bowl-ring-winners-creptastic-retail-dream/
  29. https://www.babson.edu/entrepreneurship-center/startup-acceleration/beta-challenge/history/douglass-competition/
  30. https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-ICB-510
  31. https://www.bostonherald.com/2011/04/21/ex-patriots-linebacker-starts-crepe-restaurant-concept/
  32. https://www.inc.com/magazine/201109/former-nfl-player-matt-chatham-opens-a-new-restaurant.html
  33. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/02/09/lifestyle/super-bowl-food-easy-recipes/
  34. https://rubsmokelove.com/
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