Joe Mathis played OLB at Washington from 2013-’16.
Posted 15.5 TFLs, nine sacks and two forced fumbles before suffering a year-ending toe ligament tear injury in 2016.
The toe injury was… unusual… requiring 9 screws be inserted into his foot to squeeze a bone back together.
Initial diagnoses were optimistic at 6 weeks, but it turned into a year long rehab instead where he had to learn how to walk, jog and run again.
Over his college career he appeared in 41 contests.
Graded out as a DE/EDGE, and although his athletic skill set intrigued scouts, Mathis went undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft due in part to lingering concerns about his recovery from his injury.
Received an invitation to come to a mini-camp with the Houston Texas, but failed the physical exam because of his foot.
Ended up joining the CFL British Columbia Lions as an import player, but didn’t make the squad.
Spotted at the Huskies 2018 pro day after fully recovering from the toe injury and looked swole, but didn’t draw any attention.
Joe kept the dream alive and has played pro ball in the Xleague for the Fujitsu Frontiers located in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan.
While the address I sent to was a PO Box in California, the cards came back postmarked from Hawaii. I think a first for me after all these years. Todd was right there at the cusp of it all with the cards in 1991. Wasn’t really a big fan of this design of Classic. In fact I laughed at it because of the camo, but strangely its grown on me over the years. Both of these cards have superior photography to support the design.
Cards: Score 2009, Score 2010, Topps Prime 2010, Donruss Rookies & Stars 2009 Longevity, Upper Deck Star Rookies 2009 Acquired: TTM 2018, C/o Work Sent:11/12/18 Received: 7/9/19 (239 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Austin Collie played WR at BYU in 2004, 2007, and 2008.
In 2008, he smashed school records and led the conference with 106 catches for 1,538 yards and 15 TDs.
He’d be selected in the 4th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.
In Austin’s rookie season he battled Pierre Garcon for the starting position in the slot.
Collie finished with 676 yards on 60 catches, scoring 7 TDs.
In 2010, Collie caught 58 passes for 649 yards and 8 TDs in 9 games, but suffered two concussions in non-consecutive games- shortening and eventually ending his season.
Rolling into 2011, with Peyton Manning on IR, the team trotted out Curtis Painter initially, but later saw both Dan Orlovsky and Kerry Collins take snaps at QB.
Collie’s numbers suffered, as his yards per reception dropped (9.5) and his TD catches plummeted (1).
He’d again suffer a concussion during the 2012 NFL season, and later during the regular season- a season ending knee injury.
Signed with the 49ers, but didn’t make it through the final roster cuts.
Joined the Patriots and was on and off the roster throughout the 2013 season catching 6 passes for 63 yards on the season.
After a year out of football, Collie played in the CFL for the BC Lions in 2015.
On the season, he caught 43 passes for 439 yards and 7 TDs.
Retired in 2018 and currently works in the medical field treating concussions.
NOTES:
I don’t recall sending Austin a Topps Prime 2010, so it was nice of him to include it with the bevy of cards I sent to him- which covered all my set needs during that period and as well as the additional 2009 Upper Deck Star Rookies card.
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
179
1908
10.7
16
73
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
43
439
10.2
7
N/a
CFL
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
