Tom Matte

Thomas Roland Matte, nicknamed "Garbage Can," was an American professional football running back born June 14, 1939, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who died November 2, 2021. He attended Shaw High School in East Cleveland, Ohio, and played college football at Ohio State, where he lined up at quarterback but was known more for his rushing than his passing. In his senior year he finished seventh in Heisman Trophy voting, behind the winner, Navy halfback Joe Bellino, and ahead of future stars including Billy Kilmer and Mike Ditka.

The Baltimore Colts selected Matte in the 1961 NFL draft, and the New York Titans took him in the 1961 AFL draft. He signed with Baltimore and spent his entire 12-season career with the Colts. Over those years he compiled 4,646 rushing yards, 249 receptions for 2,869 yards, and 1,367 yards on kickoff returns, scoring 57 touchdowns — 45 rushing and 12 receiving. Late in the 1965 season, Matte memorably filled in as an emergency quarterback, the role that became one of the most remembered episodes of his career.