Kevin Mathis is a former American football player who played as a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He was born on February 3, 1973, in Monroe, Louisiana, and attended Northeast Louisiana University (now known as the University of Louisiana at Monroe) where he played college football.
Mathis began his professional career in the NFL in 1997 when he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys. He played for the Cowboys for three seasons from 1997 to 1999, during which he established himself as a reliable cornerback and special teams player. In his rookie season, Mathis played in all 16 games and recorded 23 tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble. He continued to improve in his second season, recording 39 tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
In 2000, Mathis signed with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent. He played for the Falcons for six seasons from 2000 to 2005, during which he became one of the team's most consistent and productive defensive players. In his first season with the Falcons, Mathis played in all 16 games and recorded 62 tackles, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. He continued to play at a high level in the following seasons, recording a career-high 85 tackles in 2001 and a career-high four interceptions in 2002.
Mathis suffered a serious knee injury in the 2005 season, which forced him to miss the entire 2006 season. He was released by the Falcons in 2007 and signed with the New Orleans Saints, but he was released before the start of the regular season.
In his NFL career, Mathis played in 137 games and recorded 536 tackles, 32 interceptions, and 10 forced fumbles. He was known for his versatility as a cornerback and special teams player, and he was respected by his teammates and coaches for his work ethic and leadership.
After retiring from football, Mathis became a high school football coach and worked as an assistant coach at Cedar Hill High School in Texas. He also founded the Kevin Mathis Foundation, which provides scholarships and mentoring programs for underprivileged youth in his hometown of Monroe, Louisiana.
In conclusion, Kevin Mathis was a talented and versatile cornerback who played for the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons in the NFL. He was known for his consistency, productivity, and leadership, and he made a significant impact on the teams he played for. After retiring from football, Mathis continued to make a positive impact on his community through his coaching and philanthropic work.
🏈