There is a good chance that the Tennessee Titans season ending game against the Cincinnati Bengals was the last in Bruce Matthews’s illustrious 19-year career. And, to say the 19-year veteran has clearly left his mark both on and off the field in the National Football League would certainly be an understatement. Prior to the season ending game with the Cincinnati, Bengals Coach Dick LeBeau said, “I think anyone who has ever played the game has the utmost respect and admiration for Bruce in what he has been able to do. And he certainly has to be a bionic man. He is a wonderful example for all of us, along with a great testimony to the game and the standard of professionalism in his sport.” The 40-year old graduate of USC has played in 296 games since being drafted by the Houston Oilers in 1983 and was recently named to his record-tying 14th Pro Bowl. Certainly regarded as one of the NFL’s finest offensive lineman for almost two decades, the future Hall of Famer has played in more games than any offensive lineman in league history and more than any other player in club history. The Associated Press, Sporting News and Football Digest named Bruce Matthews First-Team All-Pro in 2000. One of his former head coaches and current CBS analyst Jerry Granville said, “Bruce Matthews is the greatest offensive lineman ever to play the game.” Our sincere congratulations to Bruce Matthews
