Rishard Matthews

Rishard Matthews
refer to caption
Matthews with the Dolphins in 2014
No. 86, 18, 82
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1989-10-12) October 12, 1989 (age 35)
Santa Ana, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:217 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school:Saddleback (Santa Ana, California)
College:
NFL draft:2012 / round: 7 / pick: 227
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:230
Receiving yards:3,160
Receiving touchdowns:21
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Rishard Andre Matthews[1] (born October 12, 1989) is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football for the University of Nevada, and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL draft. He also played for the Tennessee Titans and New York Jets.

Early life

Matthews was born on October 12, 1989, in Santa Ana, California. He attended Saddleback High School and lettered for the basketball team, averaging 9.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.3 blocks and 2.3 steals. In addition, he played for the football team.[2]

College career

Matthews initially signed a letter of intent committing to the University of Oregon.[3] Matthews attended Bakersfield College before transferring to the University of Nevada, Reno.[4] In his two years at Nevada, the first catching passes from Colin Kaepernick, he had 147 receptions for 2,243 yards and 13 touchdowns.[5] While at Nevada, Matthews was named second-team all-WAC as a wide receiver.[6]

Professional career

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 0+3⁄8 in
(1.84 m) 		217 lb
(98 kg) 		32+1⁄2 in
(0.83 m) 		9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		 4.44 s 1.56 s 2.59 s 4.19 s 6.88 s 36.0 in
(0.91 m)		 10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)		 20 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[7][8]

Miami Dolphins

Matthews was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round with the 227th overall selection of the 2012 NFL draft.[9] He recorded his first reception in a 19–14 losing effort against the Buffalo Bills on November 15. He finished the Thursday Night Football game with one catch for 19 yards.[10] Overall, he finished his rookie season with 11 receptions for 151 receiving yards.[11]

Matthews was one of only four receivers to make the final 53-man roster in 2013. This was crucial after seeing Dustin Keller go down in a preseason game against the Houston Texans.[12] Matthews was a second-year player adding to the likes of Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, and Brandon Gibson. Matthews had his first two-touchdown game in another losing effort against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 11, 2013. He finished the Monday Night Football game with 120 yards on 11 receptions.[13] After Miami's Brandon Gibson went down in Week 11, Matthews received a large increase in targets and a number of starts. Matthews proved to be a reliable target, specifically in the Miami win against the New England Patriots on December 15, 2013. Matthews caught a 24-yard reception to keep the drive alive in the 24–20 upset.[14] The 2013 season came to an end with Matthews contributing 41 receptions for 448 yards and two touchdowns.[15]

The 2014 campaign was a lackluster performance for Matthews, who had emerged in 2013 as a reliable target, with the season ending prematurely for Matthews when off-field conduct resulted in his suspension for the final game against the New York Jets.[16] While Matthews had shown promise, he finished the 2014 season with 12 catches on 21 targets for 135 yards and two touchdowns.[17]

In Week 7 of the 2015 season against the Houston Texans, Matthews reeled in a then career-long 53-yard receiving touchdown in the first quarter of the 44–26 victory.[18] On November 30, 2015, Matthews suffered multiple fractured ribs in the Miami Dolphins' Week 12 loss to the New York Jets.[19] On January 2, 2016, Matthews was placed on injured reserve.[20] Overall, in the 2015 season, he finished with 43 receptions for 662 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.[21]

Tennessee Titans

On March 9, 2016, Matthews signed a three-year deal with the Tennessee Titans.[22] In his first season with the Titans, he set a career-high in receiving yards with 945 and with 9 receiving touchdowns.[23] He led the Titans in both receiving yards and touchdowns.[24]

On September 24, 2017, Matthews scored a 55-yard touchdown during the Titans' 33–27 victory against the Seattle Seahawks.[25] On November 16, 2017, he scored a 75-yard touchdown as the Titans lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers by a score of 40–17.[26] Overall, he finished the 2017 season with 53 receptions for 795 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.[27]

On August 21, 2018, Matthews signed a one-year contract extension with the Titans through the 2019 season.[28] On September 26, Matthews requested his release from the Titans, citing a lack of playing time and targets. The team granted his request the next day and released him.[29] Matthews finished with his time with the Titans with a total of 121 receptions, 1,751 receiving yards, and 13 receiving touchdowns.

New York Jets

On October 23, 2018, Matthews signed with the New York Jets.[30] He played in five games recording just two catches for 13 yards before being placed on injured reserve on December 18, 2018.[31][32]

New Orleans Saints

On June 13, 2019, Matthews signed with the New Orleans Saints.[33] He was released on August 10, 2019, after leaving camp.[34]

Retirement

On August 12, 2019, Matthews announced his retirement from the NFL.[35]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2012 MIA 8 1 11 151 13.7 30 0 — — — — — 0 0
2013 MIA 16 5 41 448 10.9 29 2 — — — — — 0 0
2014 MIA 14 0 12 135 11.3 23 2 1 3 3.0 3 0 1 0
2015 MIA 11 11 43 662 15.4 53T 4 1 4 4.0 4 0 0 0
2016 TEN 16 9 65 945 14.5 60 9 — — — — — 1 1
2017 TEN 14 11 53 795 15.0 75T 4 1 -3 -3.0 -3 0 0 0
2018 TEN 3 0 3 11 3.3 4 0 — — — — — 0 0
NYJ 5 0 2 13 6.5 7 0 — — — — — 0 0
Career 87 38 230 3,160 13.8 75T 21 3 4 1.3 4 0 2 1

Postseason

Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2017 TEN 2 2 4 42 10.5 15 0 — — — — — 0 0
Career 2 2 4 42 10.5 15 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0

Personal life

Matthews's father, Andre Matthews, and half-brother, Christopher Ruiz, served in the Marines. Ruiz was killed in a plane crash in 2015 while working as a private defense contractor in Afghanistan.[36]

References

  1. ^ "Rishard Matthews Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  2. ^ Mori, Anthony (July 27, 2014). "Former Wolf Pack football star looking to improve after breakout season". Elko Daily Free Press. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  3. ^ Wolf, Jason (March 11, 2016). "Rishard Matthews finally teammates with Marcus Mariota". The Tennessean. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  4. ^ "Local report: BC receiver Matthews signs with Nevada". The Bakersfield Californian. January 19, 2010. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  5. ^ "Rishard Matthews College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  6. ^ Mori, Anthony (July 27, 2014). "Former Wolf Pack football star looking to improve after breakout season". Elko Daily Free Press. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  7. ^ "Rishard Matthews Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  8. ^ "2012 Draft Scout Rishard Matthews, Nevada NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  9. ^ "2012 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 1, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  10. ^ "Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills - November 15th, 2012". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  11. ^ "Rishard Matthews 2012 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  12. ^ Farrar, Doug (August 18, 2013). "Miami's Dustin Keller suffers season-ending knee injuries against Texans". SI.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  13. ^ Abramson, Andrew (November 15, 2013). "Miami Dolphins' Rishard Matthews enjoys breakout game after recent move to slot receiver". The Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  14. ^ "New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins - December 15th, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  15. ^ "Rishard Matthews 2013 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  16. ^ Salguero, Armando (September 6, 2021). "Rishard Matthews turns bad history into positive future with Miami Dolphins". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  17. ^ "Rishard Matthews 2014 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  18. ^ Dubin, Jared (October 25, 2015). "When Dolphins attack: Jarvis Landry, Rishard Matthews score long TDs". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  19. ^ "Report: Matthews fractured multiple ribs vs. Jets". SI.com. November 30, 2015. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  20. ^ "Dolphins' Rishard Matthews: Placed on IR". CBSSports.com. January 2, 2016. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  21. ^ "Rishard Matthews 2015 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  22. ^ "Titans Agree to Terms with WR Rishard Matthews". TitansOnline.com. March 10, 2016. Archived from the original on August 1, 2017.
  23. ^ "Rishard Matthews 2016 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  24. ^ "2016 Tennessee Titans Statistics & Players". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  25. ^ Taranto, Steven (September 24, 2017). "Rishard Matthews scores Tennessee Titans touchdown on 55-yard catch-and-run". 247sports.com. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  26. ^ Leadingham, Joe (November 17, 2017). "Titans win streak ends with 40-17 loss to Steelers". WKRN. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  27. ^ "Rishard Matthews 2017 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  28. ^ Yates, Field (August 21, 2018). "Titans reach extension with WR Matthews". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  29. ^ Patra, Kevin (September 27, 2018). "Titans granting receiver Rishard Matthews his release". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  30. ^ Allen, Eric (October 23, 2018). "Jets Sign WR Rishard Matthews, Place S Doug Middleton on Injured Reserve". NewYorkJets.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  31. ^ Talarico, Anthony (December 19, 2018). "Rishard Matthews latest Jet placed on IR after New York signs ex-Pats lineman". Jets Wire. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  32. ^ "Rishard Matthews 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  33. ^ Reardon, Logan (June 13, 2019). "Saints sign Rishard Matthews after minicamp tryout". NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  34. ^ Gantt, Darin (August 10, 2019). "Saints release Rishard Matthews after he left team". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  35. ^ Patra, Kevin (August 12, 2019). "Rishard Matthews announces NFL retirement". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  36. ^ Wolf, Jason (August 28, 2017). "Titans' Rishard Matthews, whose brother died in Afghanistan, honored with American flag". Tennessean.com. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.