I am Tom Matte, Baltimore Colts RB -- AMA

How did you feel when they moved the team?

How did you feel when you stole the browns from me :(?

HAHAHAHA. We were happy to get rid of Bob Irsay. It took us a while to convince Art Modell to move the Browns to Baltimore. And I was particularly happy because I got to the commentary for the Ravens.

edit: I'm sorry for all the enemies I have made in Cleveland now, but Art was my friend, and I stand by him.

Man you just crushed Cleveland in so many ways..... Good health to ya and thanks for your time.

Any chance you could post a pic holding a sign saying sorry Cleveland? HAHAHA

Cleveland is my home town, and I grew up playing HS ball there and went to Ohio State to play college ball. The city of Cleveland did not respond to the needs of Art Modell, the Cleveland stadium was in dire need and the city didn't respond to Modell.

Did you ever hear of any bounty talk or talk of purposefully hurting other players during your playing days?

Mhmm Yes. No other comment.

Who's your favorite current running back?

Probably Ray Rice. I think he is the most versatile running back in the league, but there are a lot of RB's that are similar. I really like the kid.

Now for the unbiased favorite RB?

Adrian Peterson, the way he came back from knee surgery is impressive.

What was it like to play emergency QB? How did the team react?

It was a challenge, being a running back and last man standing as a player that had any experience at QB in college. I was sort of forced into and didn't have a any choice. it was the biggest challenge for me in my football career.

Joe Flacco always seems to generate a ton of criticism. What is your honest opinion on Joe and do you think the elite title will ever be in Joe's future?

yes I think he will be considered Elite sometime in the future. He (Joe) is an non emotional player, he started every game in his career and has a great arm. I have all the respect for him as player and a person.

How do you feel about Indy fans laying claim to Baltimore Colts players as part of Indy's football legacy?

That upsets me. When I go to the hall of fame, and see my wrist band and I am called an Indianapolis colt...That is not right. That part belongs to Baltimore.

Would running backs from the 60's (in their prime) stand a chance against modern defensive lines?

Also, would you rather fight 100 duck sized horses or one horse sized duck?

Yes, today's running backs are bigger, stronger, and faster....but the guys from back in the day would still be competitive.

1 horse sized duck.

You have quite an impressive list of achievements, but what do you personally consider your greatest accomplishment during your football career?

When the NFL Films came out with 10 most versatile players that have ever played in the NFL, and I ended up at number 10.

Playing QB was the biggest challenge and most fun.

What is your opinion of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms commentary on CBS? I personally miss your color commentary.

They are both good, and Simms particularly has good insight as he is a former QB. I miss my color commentary too. They changed radio stations, and Scott Garceau and I lost out.

Any concussions effects on you? Should teens not play on high school football teams due to the danger of concussion?

I feel that the NFL has made a concerted effort in improving the helmets and equipment these days to make the game safer, as opposed to my days. Commissioner Goodell is a making a really big effort to improve the safety in the NFL, and that will filter down to the peewee leagues.

About Ray Lewis...have you guys ever commented on one his tackles by saying "Holy shit! You killed that man!", or are you guts afraid of the repercussions?

We are told to keep our act clean, but there was many time I wanted to say, "he knocked the shit out of him!"

I've always wanted to ask the older greats this... just how good was Jim Brown (or Johnny Unitas or other greats)?

Jim Brown was probably the best overall Rb that I have ever seen. Power, and speed he had it all, but he wasn't the greatest receiver. THe most versatile of RB's in my day was probably Lenny moore.

Have you noticed any health problems or issues that were likely caused during your days playing in the NFL?

You could say that, I've had 20 different surgeries, not all related to football. Mostly to the knees, ankles and just your Back is screwed up. You learn how to live with it however.

Even after all of this, I wouldn't trade the experience of playing in the National Football League.

What is the worst hit you've ever received?

I think it was this game, where I had a pass over the middle and I knew was going to get slammed. I think it was Butkus, the ball popped out and I landed on the ground, but the ball landed back in my lap.

Why do you think that Football is almost only popular in America?

And do you ever believe that it can as big in other country's?

• A guy outside the us

Good question. I had the opportunity to play in France back in 71, to introduce France to American Football. It was very well received and the players association did that. It was for the purpose of raising money for the AMerican hospital in Paris, it was very well received and today the NFL is playing games England, and I think they are sending teams during preseason to play in other european countries.

Soccer is their sport, but I think they like the aggresiveness of American football. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the NFL would expand to other countries.

What is one aspect of the game from your playing days that you wish still existed today?

Another good question. Defensive players have limitation now that they didn't back then. The league has made it more of a offensive game. Offensive lineman are allowed to hold more, and bump coverage is called as illegal contact a lot more.

As a player for an organization which has switched cities after your retirement, do you find your loyalties remain stronger for the Colts organization or the city of Baltimore?

Going into Superbowl III against the Jets, did Joe Namath's guarantee affect your preparation for the game?

My allegiance is to the city of Baltimore and their fans. Being a broadcaster for the Ravens for the first 10 or so years, solidified my position. Art Modell was a great friend.

Joe had a big mouth, and he still does. On that day, Joe didn't win that game....I have to give credit to Weeb Ewbank for great coaching. Namath had nothing to lose by saying what he did, they were underdogs. But that game solidified the NFL merger, and also gave credit to the AFL.

In your opinion, what was Johnny Unitas's best attribute?

edit: grammar

His best attribute was the 2 minute offense, he could move the team faster down the field better than the other qb's in the league, In my opinion.

Who's your favorite running back of all time? Mines eddy george

Eddie George was a buck-eye, and a good one. My favorite would probably was Hugh Edward McElhenny.

1. Most memorable moment playing in the NFL?

2. You played in Super Bowl III! What were your feelings towards the AFL leading up to and after the merger and that game?

The baltimore colts probably had the biggest impact in the making of the NFL, in the merger between the AFL and the NFL. The 58 championship game really put NFL as a premier sport in the country, and the 68 superbowl which we lost to the Jets made the merger the possible, and eminently the success of the two leagues joining together.

What do you think about the amount of money players are making today compared to when you played?

What we did as players was we were the makers of the game and also brought about the popularity of the game. Today's players are the benefactors of that.

it seems more and more like NFL stars are getting paid ridiculous sums of money to play a little bit of ball. How do you feel about that? Do you feel that they work harder for their money than you did for yours?

Also, do you feel like your years of playing has left you with any type of long term damage, physically or otherwise?

No they don't work harder any harder then we did. I'm upset with my mother for having 40 years too early. I would love to have made the amount of money that these kids are making today.

I'm trying to promote the retired players with the NFL Keepr Card because the revenues go towards the player care foundation to take care of the older guys like me.

How do you feel about Cris Collinsworth? I personally cannot stand him as a person or a commentator. I would like to get a good feel from a fellow player and commentator.

I think Chris is pretty objective, he knows the game and I feel he does a pretty good job. I'm sorry you feel that way.

Who was the toughest defender you ever played against at any level?

Also, BEAT MICHIGAN

Dick Butkus.

If you had to play for one team this year. Who would you choose from if you could only play for the Jaguars or the Rams?

Jax Jags because it's nice and warm.

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I think the game is same. The only change is that the athletes of today are bigger, stronger, and faster because of the conditioning that they go through. It's a full time job now to be a football player. Back in my day, as soon as the season was over....I had a another job to go to in Black & Decker.

Back in my day, as soon as the season was over....I had a another job to go to in Black & Decker.

See now this blows my mind. You won a goddamn Super Bowl yet you had another job! Did the guys at Black & Decker know who you were? Did they ask for your autograph and stuff, or was it strictly professional? What did you do at Black & Decker?

Thank you for doing this AMA, btw!

Ohh Yea, I worked in a sales position and did a lot of traveling. Also helped design some of the tools that helped on moon mission.

Has being an Eagle Scout helped you anyway throughout your lifetime? I just got mine myself.

I made the Eagle Scout, Hall of Fame. It played a very important role in my life. The two things that made me who I am are the Boy Scouts, and the YMCA. Being in downtown Cleveland (ghetto) they were very helpful for me.

Hi, Tom. I grew up in Baltimore when Scott Garceau was at channel 2 with John Saunders. You and Scott were the best team and I was very disappointed to see you go. Gerry Sandusky and Stan White are very good, too, but you two were the best and I miss you guys.

Do you or him (or both of you) ever get to do play by play anymore?

Also, you are one of a dying breed...athletes that remain connected to the city they played for after their playing days are over. Did you have any connection to the city before you played for the Colts? What made you want to stay in Baltimore?

Garceau and I will be broadcasting the turkey bowl on thanksgiving morning, and it's a lot of fun to see the kids play. I always felt that if you play for a team in that city, you have a responsibility to give back to that community.

Hi Tom,

I'm a Michigan fan. Did you have much interaction with Bo Schembechler while he was at Ohio State? What was he like? What was his relationship with Woody like?

Bo Schembechler was the coach that I reported to under Hayes. Bo was a good friend, all through my professional career and he left to Miami of Ohio, and convinced my brother, Bruce to play there, Where he became an all American QB.

Bo, always a class act. From Miami he went to Michigan and it became one of the biggest rivalries.

Who is the better QB, Unitas or Manning?

I'm a little biased towards Unitas, but I have a great deal of respect for Peyton.

He's talking about Eli

Eli's not that bad, but he's in a whole different class. Also Archie is a friend of mine.

How do you feel playing for Woody Hayes at Ohio State helped shape you as a football player and a man?

Woody was a tough coach to play for. He expected a great deal out of you, but he made sure he took care of his athletes and got them degrees. I was fortunate to have him as a coach, I became a bigger friend of his after leaving Ohio state.

If you could play for one current head coach who would it be?

Who has the coolest looking uniforms right now? Coolest back when you played?

Best/worse announcer duo right now?

Pittsburgh Steelers was the ugliest, especially the Bumble-bees. The Los Angles Rams helmets were really cool. I was a big Browns fan, so I'm attached to those uniforms.

Oh man, I don't think you will see this but I just want to thank you for doing this. My dad died this year and was a die hard colts fan, actually quit watching football for years when you guys left. He has a ball signed by the entire 1970 super bowl team and he worked at johnny unitas' bowling alley so he could get through college. I actually made my first account ever just to post this because it means alot that you did this. Damn thanks for the good memories man. Go Ravens!

Thanks for that comment. Fans like your dad are special to all the players, we appreciate their feelings towards the colts. We used to visit the bowling lanes all the time during the off-season.

What are your feelings about the short life expectancies of NFL players? Have you seen a lot of your friends from the team pass on earlier than you would expect?

At the end of my career, the NFL pension people told us our life expectancy was 54-56 years of age. I then took my pension earlier because I thought my life expectancy was short, and I wish I didn't do that.

I have seen my friends die a lot earlier then I would have wished.

I grew up playing sports and the locker rooms always got kinda crazy. My question is at the professional level does the locker room still contain this kind of atmosphere or is it all seriousness?

Our locker room had a bit of fun also. Everyone would play pranks on each other. I didn't like snakes, and every day they would put a snake in my locker to scare me. One time I shot a rabbit and put it on top of pipes in the locker room. And one of the players was tying his shoes when it fell on him, I fell down laughing.

What happened on the flea flicker at the end of the first half in Super Bowl III?

Earl Morral did not see Jimmy standing in the endzone waving his arms. He said Jimmy's uniform blended in with the Bands unifrom. He threw it short and it was intercepted.

How is working as a professional athlete? What is the work/life balance, do you eat and breath football? Does your coach call you during your personal time? Do you spend an inordinate amount of time with your teammates? Or are you able to maintain a discrete life separate from your career?

You could maintain a personal life with friends, that are not football guys. But there is always the camaraderie with the you teammates, especially during Training Camp. Camp was the part when all you did was eat/breathe and live football.

My wife is one of the biggest fans of me. She watches film and listens to sports radio more than me. I think she was part of the team just as much as me.

Did anyone ever tell Johnny U to try a new haircut?

No, nobody told him. He let it grow long at the end, but he always had that crew cut.

What do you think about the incorporation of NCAA overtime rules and do you think something needs to change in order to ultimately prevent a tie from happening like we saw last week?

WE had a number of ties back in the day. I think the playoff rules are pretty good, and I don't think it matters too much during regular season.

Do you feel the NFL is doing everything in its power to protect the players or that they're still just "going through the motions"? I'm glad to hear the Irsay's couldn't ruin your love of football, thanks for helping a team I love.

I think commissioner Goodell and his senior adviser Joe Browne have done a tremendous job on focusing on the injury, and equipment issues.

What is your proudest accomplishment off the field?
Does anyone help you with your social media? You seem pretty hip to what the kids are into these days.

Both my son and grandson are really into technology, and I am the dinosaur in the family....and this is all a new experience for me.

The program I am doing now to help the player association using the NFL keepr is my biggest accomplishment. I always felt that players need to give back to their communities, and I think I have done a lot of this.

What do you think you might have done I you could not have played sports professionally as a career? Let's say due to an injury during highschool or something of that nature

If I wouldn't have been drafted, I had majored in real estate. I most likely would have been a real estate marketeer or something else. You always have to fall back on your education, if you play sports.

Do you miss the radio side with Scott Garceau? I miss listening to you two on the radio during Ravens games.

Yes I do, working with Garceau, one of my best friends, has always been fun and challenging. We worked with together over 20 some years.

Who is your favorite teammate?

Dan Sullivan, played guard for us.

At this point in the season, who are your picks for the Super Bowl?

edit: plural

Thats a toughie. I like the Texans, and also the Ravens chances.

What are your thoughts on gays in professional sports? Statistics say 1 out of 10 people are gay... yet there is no male professional athlete in the 4 major US sports that is out. Is it just a taboo? Would he be ridiculed and fired? What are your thoughts?

I think that if there are Gay players out there, they would keep it too themselves. I know that there were gay players in the NFL when I played, and the kept low profile.