Rashean Mathis, the former standout athlete from Englewood High School and the Jacksonville Jaguars, has been honored with an election to the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
On Wednesday morning, Rashean Mathis received the prestigious honor of being inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame. Mathis, whose athletic talents shone brightly during his years at both Englewood High School and Bethune-Cookman University, will join the esteemed circle in a ceremony scheduled for June 7 in Atlanta.
Mathis’ recognition comes alongside five other noteworthy individuals. However, one notable omission this year was former Jaguars star receiver Jimmy Smith, who was a finalist but did not proceed to induction this cycle.
Drafted in the second round by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2002, Mathis swiftly established himself as a formidable player in the NFL. Prior to his professional career, Mathis was a dual-sport athlete at Englewood, excelling in both football and basketball. His college years at Bethune-Cookman saw him achieving remarkable distinctions, notably setting the still-standing FCS record with 14 interceptions in a single season. This record highlights his exceptional defensive skills and places him among the top performers at any level of college football.
Over his college career, Mathis accumulated 31 interceptions, securing his place as the record holder for the most interceptions in FCS history and third across all levels of college football. His outstanding performance in 2002 earned him the title of MEAC Defensive Player of the Year. The records didn’t stay confined to college fields; Mathis continued to make history in the NFL, holding the Jacksonville Jaguars’ record for most career interceptions, with a total of 30.
Mathis is joined in this year’s Hall of Fame roster by Henry Dyer from Grambling State University, Jacquay Nunnally from Florida A&M University, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie who played at Tennessee State University, Jay “Sky” Walker from Howard University, and the influential Coach Fred “Pop” Long from Wiley College. Each of these individuals has made significant contributions to their respective institutions and to the broader realm of college football.
Rashean Mathis’s induction into the Black College Football Hall of Fame is a testament to his extraordinary talent and enduring legacy in collegiate sports. His accomplishments at both the college and professional levels demonstrate a career marked by exceptional skill and dedication. Joining an esteemed group of fellow inductees, Mathis’s achievements continue to inspire and set a benchmark for future athletes.
Source: News4jax
