Defensive end Robert Mathis, one of only four Colts players to suit up for 14 seasons with the franchise, announced his retirement Friday, effective after the team's regular-season finale Sunday against the Jaguars.
"I came in as a winner," he told reporters. "I want to go out a winner."
Mathis, 35, enters his last game with 122 career sacks, No. 18 on the NFL's all-time list and the Colts career leader. He also is the NFL’s all-time leader in strip-sacks, with 46.
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He needs a sack Sunday to have a chance to surpass friend and former teammate Dwight Freeney, who he trails by a half-sack on the all-time list.
Mathis posted a video to his Instagram account to thank fans and tell them he's a "Colt for life."
The Indianapolis Star described him as "undeniably one of the best to ever wear the horseshoe" as it recounted his storybook climb to the NFL:
"He fought his way into college football by sending out scratchy VHS tapes of his high school highlights to every team in the area; Alabama A&M was the only one that offered, and it was an offensive scholarship at that. He fought his way into the NFL without an invite to the annual draft combine and despite league scouts universally dismissing him as too small and too slow. He earned the last laugh. Became a six-time Pro Bowler. A Super Bowl champion. A pass-rushing legend.
He is seventh in franchise history in games played, and joins icons Johnny Unitas, Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne as the players who suited up for the Colts for 14 seasons.
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The 138th pick in the 2003 NFL Draft., Mathis liked to call himself “an original Lucas Oil Stadium bricklayer.”
Now, he's assured of spot in that stadium's Ring of Honor.
A career for the ages.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 30, 2016
After 14 seasons, @RobertMathis98 is saying goodbye to football. #ThankYou98 pic.twitter.com/SaVvuBrMVM
