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Former Ohio State standout, Super Bowl champ passes away

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz11/03/21NickSchultz_7
Ohio State Helmet
(Michael Allio | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Tom Matte was a star quarterback at Ohio State before becoming a Pro Bowl running back in the NFL. The former Heisman Trophy contender passed away Nov. 2 at the age of 82, the Baltimore Ravens announced Wednesday.

While a quarterback at Ohio State from 1958-60, Matte completed 78 of 146 passes for 1,176 yards and 12 touchdowns in the air and ran for 872 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. His best season came in 1960 when he went 50-for-95 for 737 yards and 8 touchdowns passing, and 682 yards and 2 touchdowns rushing.

After that season, he finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting behind some big names, including Mike Ditka and Billy Kilmer. Former Navy star Joe Bellino wound up winning the award that year.

Matte was drafted seventh overall in 1961 by the Colts and had quite an NFL career. He made the switch to running back with legendary quarterback Johnny Unitas under center and didn’t miss a beat, making back-to-back Pro Bowls in 1968 and 1969. In 1968, Matte led the Colts to an NFL Championship Game victory with three touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns. The next year, he led the NFL in rushing touchdowns, finding the end zone 11 times while running for 909 yards.

In 1970, Matte suffered an injury in the Colts’ first game of the season and only played in two games during Baltimore’s run to the Super Bowl V title. He retired in 1972.

For his career, Matte ran for more than 4,600 yards and 45 rushing touchdowns. He also had 249 career receptions for 2,869 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns during that span.

After he retired, Matte joined CBS as an analyst before returning to Baltimore in 1996 when he became the Ravens’ radio analyst until 2005.

John Harbaugh opens press conference with condolences to Tom Matte’s family

Ravens coach John Harbaugh met the media for his regular press conference on Wednesday and started out by wishing the best to Matte’s family.

He also shared a story about his personal relationship with Matte, which goes back to his mom’s high school days in East Cleveland, Ohio.

“We have a special bond,” Harbaugh said. “My mom and Tom Matte went to high school together. Tom and my dad and [Tom’s wife] Judy and my mom have been friends ever since, through Ohio State and Bowling Green. They’ve known each other a long time.

When we came to town, [some] of the first people that welcomed us were Tom and Judy Matte. … We love the Mattes, and we know he’s a man of faith, he’s with his maker right now. Condolences to their family.”