Five-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion pass rusher Robert Mathis, newly retired, has taken on a volunteer role with the Indianapolis Colts.
Mathis is working with the team as a defensive coach and has been at the Colts headquarters since the beginning of the offseason workouts.
Defensive coordinator Ted Monachino discussed Mathis’ role.
“It’s fun to watch him grow as a coach,” Monachino said, per Stephen Holder of the Indy Star. “It might be something he wants to do in his future.”
“He does a nice job. He’s a good communicator, he’s sharp, he thinks ahead, he sees the game through a barn door instead of through a straw. So, I can see how he fits. I think he’s got a trait to (become a coach).”
Talk about being in love with a sport. Per the report, Mathis is considered an unofficial assistant coach. Somebody the team could ask to leave at any time. Clearly, the Colts enjoy his presence on the field, mentoring the team’s younger defenders.
Mathis was selected in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He tallied 527 combined tackles and leads the franchise with a total of 123 sacks.
It is really cool that he wants to volunteer his time to work with a team that was home to him for 14 seasons.