Matt Elliott (American football)

Last updated

Matthew Elliot
No. 52
Position: Guard
Center
Personal information
Born: (1968-10-01) October 1, 1968 (age 56)
Carmel, Indiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:288 lb (131 kg)
Career information
High school: Carmel
College: Michigan
NFL draft: 1992  / round: 12 / pick: 336
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:63
Games started:34
Fumble recoveries:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Eric Matthew Elliott (born October 1, 1968) is an American former professional football player. He played college football as a center and guard for the University of Michigan from 1988 to 1991. He started 35 games at Michigan and was selected as an All-American in 1991. He played professional football as a center and guard in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins in 1992 and for the Carolina Panthers from 1995 to 1997.

Contents

Early years

Elliott was born in Carmel, Indiana, in 1968. He attended Carmel High School. [1]

University of Michigan

Elliott enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1987 and played college football for the Michigan Wolverines football teams from 1988 to 1991. [2]

As a sophomore, Elliott started all 11 games, nine at right guard and two at left guard, for the 1989 Michigan Wolverines football team that compiled a 10–2 record and was ranked #7 in the final AP Poll in Bo Schembechler's last season as head coach at Michigan. [3]

As a junior, Elliott started all 12 games, four at left guard and eight at center, for the 1990 Michigan team that compiled a 9–3 record and was ranked #7 in the final AP Poll. [4] Elliott started the season at left guard, but was moved to center after Steve Everitt broke his foot in Michigan's 45–17 victory over Maryland. [5] Elliott was named the co-MVP of the 1991 Gator Bowl at the conclusion of his junior season. [6]

As a senior, Elliott started all 12 games, eight at left guard and four at center, for the 1991 Michigan team that compiled a 10–2 record, won the Big Ten championship, and was ranked #6 in the final AP Poll. [7] Elliott again started the season at left guard, but moved to center for four games after Steve Everitt suffered a broken jaw in the Notre Dame game on September 14, 1991. [8] At the end of the season, he was selected as a first-team All-American and a first-team All-Big Ten player. [7] [9]

Professional football

Elliott was selected by the Washington Redskins in the 12th round (336th overall pick) of the 1992 NFL draft. [10] He was the final selection in the final round of the draft, giving him the designation of Mr. Irrelevant. [11] Despite the moniker, Elliott appeared in 16 games, two as a starter, for the Redskins during the 1992 season. [1] He spent the 1993 season on injured reserve, and he was cut during training camp in 1994. [12]

During the 1994 NFL season, Elliott was unable to sign with another NFL team. Instead, he worked as a sideline reporter covering Washington Redskins games and as a color commentator for high school football games in Loudoun County, Virginia. [12]

In 1995, Elliott attempted a comeback and signed with the Carolina Panthers. When he was announced as a starter for the Panthers during the 1995 preseason, Elliott described it as being "a little like a fairy tale" and "a dream come true." [12] He was the Panthers' starting right guard in 14 games during the 1995 season. The following year, he appeared in 16 regular season games, 12 as a starter, as a center and left guard for the 1996 Carolina Panthers team that compiled a 12–4 record, won the NFC West, and lost to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game. [1] He was dubbed "Lego Man" in 1996 because he started at center and guard and also played some at tackle. [13] In his final NFL season, Elliott appeared in 16 games, six as a starter, as a left guard for the 1997 Panthers. [1] While playing for Carolina, Elliott founded Fatguy Charities to raise money for children. [11]

In four NFL seasons, Elliott appeared in 63 games, 34 as a starter, for the Redskins and Panthers. [1] He played longer in the NFL than any prior player to bear the "Mr. Irrelevant" moniker. [11]

Later years

After retiring as a player, Elliott covered NFL Europe on Fox Sports and college football games on ESPN. [14] As of 2006, Elliott was living in Warsaw, Indiana, with his wife, Kristin. His six-year-old son, Max, was battling leukemia at that time. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Mack</span> American football player (born 1943)

Thomas Lee Mack is an American former professional football guard who played for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

Tshimanga "Tim" Biakabutuka is a former American football running back. He played college football at the University of Michigan from 1993 to 1995, and was drafted with the eight overall pick in the 1996 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He holds the Michigan Wolverines single-season rushing record with 1,818 rushing yards in 1995. He is also distinguished as being the first Zairian to play in the NFL.

Leroy J. Hoard is an American former football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons for the Cleveland Browns from 1990 to 1995 and the Minnesota Vikings from 1996 to 1999. He also played briefly for the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens during the 1996 NFL season. In a 10-year NFL career, Hoard appeared in 144 games, totaled 3,964 rushing yards and 2,430 receiving yards and scored 51 touchdowns.

John Stuart "Jumbo" Elliott is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle for 14 years in the National Football League (NFL) with the New York Giants from 1988 to 1995 and the New York Jets from 1996 to 2000 and 2002. He appeared in 197 NFL games, including 156 as a starter. He was a key player on the 1990 New York Giants team that won Super Bowl XXV, received All-Madden honors in 1990 and 1991, and was selected to play in the 1993 Pro Bowl. His signature moment came in October 2000 when he caught the game-tying touchdown pass in the game known as the "Monday Night Miracle".

Erick Scott Anderson is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reggie McKenzie (guard)</span> American football player (born 1950)

Reginald McKenzie is an American former professional football player who was a left guard in the National Football League (NFL), primarily for the Buffalo Bills from 1972 to 1982. Selected as a first-team All-NFL player in 1973 and second team in 1974, McKenzie was a key player on the Bills' offensive line that became known as the Electric Company that led the way for O. J. Simpson to become the NFL's first 2,000-yard rusher during the 1973 NFL season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Mandich</span> American football player (1948–2011)

James Michael Mandich, also known as "Mad Dog", was an American professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). Mandich played college football for the Michigan Wolverines from 1967 to 1969 and was recognized as a consensus first-team tight end on the 1969 College Football All-America Team. A second-round pick in the 1970 NFL draft, he played in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins (1970-1977) and Pittsburgh Steelers (1978). After his playing career ended, he worked as the color commentator for the Miami Dolphins and also hosted a sports talk show on local AM radio in Miami.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Trgovac</span> American football player and coach (born 1959)

Michael John Trgovac is an American football coach and a former player. He previously served as the defensive line coach for the Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, Washington Redskins, and Philadelphia Eagles and Las Vegas Raiders. Trgovac was a member of the Packers' coaching staff that led the team to the NFL championship in Super Bowl XLV in 2011. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Trgovac played college football as a middle guard for the University of Michigan from 1977 to 1980. He received All-Big Ten Conference honors in both 1979 and 1980. After graduating from Michigan, Trgovac held various college coaching positions from 1984 to 1994.

Steven Michael Everitt is an American former professional football player who was a center in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines from 1989 to 1992. He played professional football as a center and offensive guard in the NFL for seven seasons, including 46 games for the Cleveland Browns from 1993 to 1995 and 45 games for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1997 to 1999.

Gregory Wendell McMurtry is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1986 to 1989. He caught 111 passes for 2,163 yards and 15 touchdowns for Michigan. He played in the NFL for the New England Patriots from 1990 to 1993 and for the Chicago Bears in 1994. He caught 128 passes for 1,631 yards in 67 NFL games.

Joe Cocozzo is an American former professional football player who was an offensive guard for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL) from 1993 to 1997. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines from 1989 to 1992, earning second-team All-American honors in 1992.

John Felix Rowser was an American football player, a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons with the Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Denver Broncos.

Sullivan Anthony "Tripp" Welborne III is an American former professional football player for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL).

John Vitale was an American football player. He played college football as a center and offensive guard for the University of Michigan from 1985 to 1988. He was selected as a consensus All-American center in 1988. He later played professional football for the San Antonio Riders of the World League of American Football (WLAF) in 1991 and the Detroit Drive of the Arena Football League (AFL) from 1993 to 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1989 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1989 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its 21st and final season under head coach Bo Schembechler, the team compiled a 10–2 record, won the Big Ten championship, lost to USC in the 1990 Rose Bowl, outscored opponents by a total of 335 to 184, and was ranked No. 7 and No. 8, respectively, in the final AP and UPI polls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1983 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1983 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1983 Big Ten Conference football season. In their 15th season under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled a 9–3 record, lost to Auburn in the 1984 Sugar Bowl, and outscored all opponents by a total of 355 to 160.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1946 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1946 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1946 Big Nine Conference football season. In their ninth year under head coach was Fritz Crisler, the Wolverines compiled a 6–2–1 record, outscored opponents 233 to 73, and finished the season in second place in the Big Nine Conference and ranked No. 6 in the final 1946 AP poll. The team's two losses came against an undefeated Army team that was ranked No. 2 in the final AP poll and against an Illinois team that won the Big Nine championship and was ranked No. 5 in the final AP poll. Michigan won its last four games by a combined score of 162 to 19, starting a 25-game winning streak that continued for nearly three years until October 8, 1949. In the final game of the 1946 season, Michigan defeated Ohio State, 58–6, the Buckeyes' worst defeat since joining the conference in 1913.

The 1945 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1945 Big Ten Conference football season. In their eighth year under head coach was Fritz Crisler, the Wolverines compiled a 7–3 record and finished the season ranked #6 in the final Associated Press Poll. Quarterback Joe Ponsetto was the team captain, and center Harold Watts won the Most Valuable Player award and was selected as a first-team All-Big Ten Conference player.

The 1944 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1944 Big Ten Conference football season. Under seventh-year head coach Fritz Crisler, Michigan compiled a record of 8–2, outscored opponents 204 to 91, finished in second place in the Big Ten Conference, and was ranked #8 in the final AP Poll. The team opened the season with a victory over an Iowa-Pre-Flight team that won all of its remaining games and ended the season ranked #6 in the final AP Poll. The Wolverines then shut out four opponents: Marquette (14-0); Northwestern (27-0); Illinois (14-0); and Wisconsin (14-0). The team's two losses came against Indiana and an undefeated Ohio State team that was ranked #2 in the final AP Poll.

Michael Lee Teeter is a former American football player. He played college football as a middle guard for the University of Michigan from 1986 to 1989. He played professional football in the National Football League (NFL) as a special teams player for the Houston Oilers in 1993 and 1994. He also played during the spring of 1991 as a defensive lineman for the Frankfurt Galaxy in the World League of American Football and appeared in one game for the Minnesota Vikings in the fall of 1991.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Matt Elliott". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Michigan Football Roster Database". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  3. ↑ "1989 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  4. ↑ "1990 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Michigan's worries center on injury to Everitt". The Argus-Press. October 4, 1990. p. 16.
  6. ↑ "Michigan's Bowl Game History: 1991 Gator Bowl". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  7. 1 2 "1991 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Notre Dame". The Michigan Daily. September 16, 1991. p. 4.
  9. ↑ "Wolverine All-Americans". The Argus-Press. October 4, 1992. p. Supplement-2.
  10. ↑ "1992 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Andrea Adelson (April 24, 2006). "Son's battle now makes Elliott Mr. Relevant". USA Today (AP story).
  12. 1 2 3 "Elliott get a chance to thank the Panthers". Herald-Journal, Spartanburg, SC. August 4, 1994. p. B4.
  13. ↑ "Castoffs and retreads are at the heart of upstart Panthers". Star-News. January 12, 1997. p. 2C.
  14. ↑ "Matt Elliott". MVP Sports Media Training. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.