2015 DETROIT LIONS MEDIA GUIDE

31 - RASHEAN MATHIS
Cornerback Bethune-Cookman Jacksonville Fla.
Year: 13 Ht: 6-1 Wt: 195 Born: 8/27/1980
Draft: ’03, R2 (39)-Jac Acquired: UFA-Jac ‘13
Complete biographical information available on Detroitlions.com.
MANE FACTS
‣ ¾ Pro Bowl: 2007, 2006 Alternate
‣ ¾ Associated Press All-Pro: First Team in 2006.
TRANSACTIONS
‣ ¾ Re-signed by the Lions as an unrestricted free agent to a two-year contract on March 19, 2015.
‣ ¾ Re-signed by the Lions as an unrestricted free agent to a one-year contract on April 15, 2014.
‣ ¾ Signed by the Detroit Lions as an unrestricted free agent on August 17, 2013.
‣ ¾ Re-signed by the Jaguars to a one-year contract extension on March 7, 2012.
‣ ¾ Drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round (39th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft.
PRO
Mathis spent 10 seasons anchoring the Jacksonville Jaguars secondary before joining the Lions as a veteran presence in
the defensive backfield in 2013. His 30 interceptions with Jacksonville are more than double any other player in Jaguars
history. Owns the Jacksonville Jaguars franchise records with 30 career interceptions, three interceptions for touchdowns,
512 interception return yards and 35 total takeaways.
2014: Solidified the Lions secondary as one of the team’s starting cornerbacks in 2014 as he completed his 12th NFL
season. Was instrumental in the development of second-year CB Darius Slay, and finished the season with 51 tackles (42
solo), nine pass defenses, one forced fumble, one interception and his fourth-career pick-six (41 yards).
‣ ¾ Recorded one solo tackle while assisting in only allowing 144 net passing yards in Week 1 vs. New York Giants (9/8).
‣ ¾ Racked up five tackles and also defended two passes in Week 2 at Carolina (9/14).
‣ ¾ Posted one tackle in Week 3 vs. Green Bay (9/21).
‣ ¾ Had three tackles in Week 4 at New York Jets (9/28).
‣ ¾ Recorded three tackles, defended one pass and returned an interception back for a touchdown in Week 5 vs. Buffalo
(10/5). His 41-yard interception return for a touchdown was his first as a Lion and fourth pick-six of his career.
‣ ¾ Registered three tackles in Week 6 at Minnesota (10/12).
‣ ¾ Posted two tackles and forced a fumble in Week 8 at Atlanta (10/26).
‣ ¾ Registered four tackles in Week 11 at Arizona (11/16).
‣ ¾ Recorded three tackles and defended one pass in Week 12 at New England (11/23).
‣ ¾ Had two tackles and defended one pass in Week 13 vs. Chicago (11/27).
‣ ¾ Recorded six tackles and defended two passes in Week 14 vs. Tampa Bay (12/7).
‣ ¾ Registered six tackles in Week 15 vs. Minnesota (12/14).
‣ ¾ Posted six tackles and defended two passes in Week 16 at Chicago (12/21).
‣ ¾ Registered three tackles and forced one fumble in the NFC Wild Card game at Dallas (1/4).
2013: Played in 15 games (13 starts) in his first season in Detroit, totaling 47 tackles (44 solo) and a team-high 15 pass
defenses (tied with LB DeAndre Levy) as one of the Lions starting cornerbacks.
‣ ¾ Tied for second on the team in tackles with five (three solo), including one tackle for loss in Week 1 vs. Minnesota (9/8).
‣ ¾ Recorded two solo tackles and two pass defenses in Week 2 at Arizona (9/15).
‣ ¾ Started his first game as a Detroit Lion and tied for third on the team in tackles with seven (all solo) and had three pass
defenses in Week 3 at Washington (9/22).
‣ ¾ Posted six solo tackles in Week 5 at Green Bay (10/6).
‣ ¾ Recorded three solo tackles in Week 8 vs. Dallas (10/27).
COLLEGE
Three-time Division I-AA All-American who intercepted 31 passes in four seasons at Bethune-Cookman. Played both CB
and FS, in addition to excelling as a punt returner and a sprinter on the track team.
‣ ¾ First defensive back to win the Buck Buchanan Award (Division I-AA’s top defensive player), after shattering I-AA season
records for interceptions and interception return yards as a senior.
PERSONAL
Lives in his hometown of Jacksonville.
‣ ¾ Once appeared on the game show “Wheel of Fortune.”
MATHIS’ SINGLE-GAME BESTS
Tackles:............................................................. 9 (twice) Last vs. TB 11/30/03
Pass Defenses:................................................. 5 (twice) Last at GB 12/19/04
Interceptions:........................................... 2 (four times) Last vs. Ten 11/5/06
Long Interception Return:.....................................................72 vs. Pit 10/5/08
Interception Return TDs:....................... 1 (four times) Last vs. Buf 10/5/14
DETROIT LIONS
PLAYER PROFILES