Card: 1989 Topps Card #91

Team/Position: Houston Oilers / Center-Guard

Cost: 25-delicious-cents

Bruce Matthews played a long, long, time.  When it comes to playing well past your physical prime, you basically get a choice between Quarterback or Offensive Center.  Both positions emphasize superior intellect over raw-physical ability — It takes a different breed of man to play Center, though.

Matthews was selected ninth overall in the 1983 NFL Draft, but as far as I can tell, 1989 was the first year that Bruce had a card  (There was a 1986 McDonalds Oilers card).

Bruce had already played 6 years before getting his first card and I’m sure his 1988 Pro-Bowl selection contributed to him getting his first card in ’89.

Unfortunately for Bruce, he’s getting the shaft in my collection.  So many great players debuted in 1989 and most of their true rookie cards come from the Score brand.  The Topps Traded versions of Aikmen, Deion Sanders and Barry Sanders are nice, but they hardly compare to the ballin’ ass 1989 Score. So, as is always the case, the offensive linemen gets the shaft.

Matthews eventually played 19 years in the NFL, all for the same franchise.  When Matthews retired, no position player had played more games than Matthews’ 296 and only Merlin Olsen had played in as many Pro Bowls as Matthews (14).  Jerry Rice eventually snuck past Matthews for games played in 2004 with 303 games played.

What Made Matthews Special

Matthews managed to sustain a high-level of play for his entire career.  It’s somewhat jaw-dropping to learn that Jeff Fisher, a teammate of Matthews’ at USC, eventually went on to coach the Titans before Matthews retired.

Matthews was a first ballot Hall of Famer in 2007, joining Elway, Marino, Kelly, Dickerson, and Darrell Green as HOFers from the 1983 draft.

That Family Tree

(photo gallery available here)

Clay Matthews Sr. played for San Francisco in the 1950′s.

Senior had two children that followed in the family business:  Bruce Matthews and Clay Matthews Jr. (who played in 4 Pro Bowls, himself)

Clay Matthews Junior’s son, Clay Matthews III, was recently drafted by the Green Bay Packers out of USC.

Bruce’s two youngest, Mikey and Jake, play for Elkin H.S.  Jake’s currently the 11th ranked Senior Tackle in the Nation by Rivals.com.  Bruce’s eldest, Kevin, is currently the starting Center for Texas A & M.

Finally, Clay Matthews Jr’s son and Clay Matthews III’s brother, Casey Matthews, is currently the starting MLB for the Oregon Ducks.  Kyle Matthews, Clay’s and Casey’s older brother, also played for USC during their 2003 Championship year.

That’s a lot of football for one family.

1989 Score Bruce Matthews

Matthews '89 Score

Two great lookin’ cards, but I believe the latter is his True Rookie Card.  I didn’t collect in ’89, so I tend to get confused.  Either way, Bruce Matthews autographs are surprising hard to come by nowadays. The only one that I could find on the ‘Bay was a 2000 Topps Finest autograph celebrating Bruce’s games played record:
This is actually an incredible card, but I’m sure back in 2000 whoever pulled it was pissed the hell off.  Matthews is one of the many incredible offensive linemen that’ll appear on my list.  I think I have a soft-spot for the men in the trenches.

I mean, just look at that Blue ’89 Score!  Matthews appears to be long-snapping and the Bills are literally inches away from his noggin’.  Half the defensive line is offside!  Great Photography like that deserves to be recognized and while I’m not exactly showcasing Bruce’s Score Rookie, I will add it to my collection.