| Florida Gators–No. 84 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Defensive end |
| Class | Graduate (B.A. 1966) |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | 1944 Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 214 lb (97 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College | Florida (1963–1965) |
| High school | Chamberlain High School |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Lynn Otto Matthews (born 1944) is an American former college football player who was recognized as an All-American. Matthews later became a newspaper publishing executive.
Matthews was born in Tampa, Florida. [1] He attended Chamberlain High School in Tampa, and he played high school football as Captain for the Chamberlain Chiefs, earning a spot on the All-City, All-Conference, and All-State Football Teams. [2] [3] [ citation needed ]
Matthews accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played defensive end for coach Ray Graves' Florida Gators football team from 1963 to 1965. [3] he initially played both ways, at tight end and defensive end, but played defense exclusively after his sophomore year. [3] He was a three-year letterman and was the defensive hero for the Gators in a 14–0 win over the Auburn Tigers in 1964. [4] He was selected as a second-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection in 1964 and 1965, and a first-team All-American in 1965. [5] [6] He was known as a big-play maker and is regarded as one of the finest defensive ends for the Gators, and helped lead the Gators to their first New Year's Day bowl game, the 1966 Sugar Bowl. [5] Matthews graduated from the university with a bachelor's degree in 1966, and was later inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a "Gator Great." [7] In 1999, he was chosen as a second-team selection to the University of Florida's All-Century Team, and the Gators' All-Time Team in 1983.
At different times during his career, Matthews served as the publisher of the Ocala Star-Banner (Ocala, Florida), The Ledger (Lakeland, Florida), The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California) and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune (Sarasota, Florida). In 1999, he was promoted to be the president and chief operating officer of the Times Regional Newspaper Group, then consisting of twenty-one Times newspapers located mostly in the southeastern United States, including the Herald-Tribune and The Ledger. [8] Matthews retired from the Times Regional Newspaper Group at the end of 2002, after nearly thirty years with the company. [9]
Richard Jose Casares was an American professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL) and American Football League (AFL) for twelve seasons during the 1950s and 1960s. Casares played college football for the University of Florida, where he was standout fullback and kicker. Casares played professionally for the Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins of the NFL, and was a member of the expansion Miami Dolphins of the AFL.
Jeffrey Clay Mitchell is an American former college and professional football player who was a center in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons during the 1990s and 2000s. Mitchell played college football for the University of Florida, where he was a member of a national championship team. Thereafter, he played professionally for the Baltimore Ravens and the Carolina Panthers of the NFL.
Donald Gene "Babe" Chandler was an American professional football player who was a punter and placekicker for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) in the 1950s and 1960s. Chandler played college football for the Florida Gators, and thereafter, he played professionally for the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers of the NFL.
John Wilbur James, Jr. is an American former college and professional football player who was a punter in the National Football League (NFL) for thirteen seasons during the 1970s and 1980s. James played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for the Atlanta Falcons, the Detroit Lions and the Houston Oilers of the NFL. James led the league in punting yards four times, a record since tied by Shane Lechler.
Richard Burton Lawless is an American former football offensive guard in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions. He played college football at the University of Florida, and earned All-American honors. He was drafted in the second round of the 1975 NFL draft.
James W. Rountree was an American college and professional football player who was a defensive back in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for ten years during the 1950s and 1960s. Rountree played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.
John B. Barrow was an American college and professional football player who was an offensive and defensive tackle in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for fourteen seasons in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Barrow played college football for the University of Florida, and was recognized as an All-American. Thereafter, he played professionally for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL, and was later inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
Scot Eugene Brantley is an American radio and television sports broadcaster and former college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons during the 1980s. Brantley played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL.
William Lawrence Smith is an American former professional football player who was a running back for six seasons in the National Football League (NFL) during the 1960s and 1970s. Smith played college football for the Florida Gators, earning All-American honors. He was a first-round pick in the 1969 NFL/AFL draft, and played professionally for the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins of the NFL.
James Walter Kynes Jr. was an American college and professional football player, lawyer, political appointee, and corporate executive. Kynes served as Florida Attorney General.
Marcelino Huerta Jr., also known by his nickname Chelo Huerta, was an American college football player and coach. Huerta played college football for the University of Florida, and he was later the head football coach for the University of Tampa, the Municipal University of Wichita—later known as Wichita State University—and Parsons College. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 2002.
Dale Barnard Waters, nicknamed "Muddy" Waters, was an American college and professional football player who was an offensive and defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for three seasons during the early 1930s. Waters played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played for three different NFL teams.
Hagood Clarke, III is an American former college and professional football player who was a defensive back in the American Football League (AFL) for five seasons during the 1960s. Clarke played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for the Buffalo Bills of the AFL.
Jimmy DeWayne DuBose is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for three seasons during the 1970s. DuBose played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL.
Vincent Kendrick was an American former college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for two seasons during the 1970s. Kendrick played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL.
Dennis Keith Stanley Sr., nicknamed Dutch Stanley, was an American education professor, university administrator and intercollegiate sports coach. Stanley was a native of England, but graduated from high school in Florida. He was a standout college football player for the University of Florida football teams of the late 1920s, and later returned to his alma mater as a professor and coach, and ultimately as the long-time dean of the College of Health and Human Performance.
Buford Eugene Long was an American college and professional football player who was a defensive back, halfback and end in the National Football League (NFL) for three seasons during the 1950s. Long played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for the New York Giants of the NFL.
Jack Ridley Harper is an American former college and professional football player who was a running back in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL) for two seasons during the 1960s. Harper played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for the Miami Dolphins of the AFL and NFL.
Lamar Bruce Bennett Jr. was an American college and professional football player who was a safety in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for seven seasons during the 1960s and early 1970s. He played college football for the University of Florida, and was recognized as an All-American. Thereafter, Bennett played professionally for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL.
Lee Colson McGriff is an American former college and professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for a single season in 1976. McGriff played college football for the Florida Gators football team of the University of Florida. Thereafter, he played professionally for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their inaugural season in 1976.
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