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BRUCE Matthews pulled the pads over his shoulders for perhaps the last time with hardly anyone taking notice. While many of the first-year NFL All-Stars wandered around Aloha Stadium soaking up the final rays of the 2002 Pro Bowl, Matthews showered and shaved for the evening ahead. Matthews may have finished
Hall-of-Fame career in Hawaii
Pittsburgh's Kendrell Bell was barely three when Matthews reported late to the Houston Oilers training camp in a dusty town in West Texas. Seems the Southern California lineman thought he was worth more money than the Oilers were willing to shell out. He proved a bargain.
Matthews didn't start in the 1983 season opener against the Green Bay Packers, coached by Bart Starr, because of his late arrival to camp. But he did for the remaining 15 games that year long ago, and hasn't looked back since.
He'd need a career on the back porch to name all the coaches and players he has met, played against and for during his 19 years as a center and guard in the National Football League. In yesterday's game won by the AFC, Matthews did little more than cheer on New York Jets center Kevin Mawae, who played nearly the entire game.
"Kevin was watching out for me," the 41-year-old lineman said. "I just did a little long snapping and a lot of cheerleading. If this is my last game, I had a lot of fun doing it."
The word "if" is said with a smile and a glint in his eye. The old gladiators never put down their swords easily, believing one last race across the battlefield is still in them. For Matthews, season 20 is more about being beyond reason than question.
If there were a Super Bowl waiting in the wings, Matthews might be willing to go there. He was a consensus All-American at USC, playing all five O-line spots while in school. The 6-foot-5, 305-pounder was selected to 14 Pro Bowls. He has nearly every award and trophy imaginable. But he has never won a ring.
"And that's kind of hard to walk away from," Matthews said. "We came close a couple of years ago. Within a yard. But you get over those kind of things because you're blessed. Right now, I'm excited, to be honest.
"I haven't made it official, but if this was my last night, I'm excited. I really am for what's in store. I've played football my whole life. I can't say that it's been a bad pressure, but there has been an ever-present pressure that I've got to start getting ready now. I've gotta do this. I've gotta do that. It's kind of fraying, a little bit. So, we'll see."
Not counting the pre or postseason, Matthews started 292 out of 296 games for the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans. Now living in Texas, it's hard to imagine Matthews walking into Canton, Ohio, with a Titan helmet under his arm, but he'll let you know when he gets there, as early as 2006.
At this point, Matthews has his family and friends to offer advice. Brother Clay, who retired last century from the Browns and Falcons, knows what it's like to play for the final time. Father Clay took the same walk toward retirement from the San Francisco 49ers in 1955.
"To be honest with you, the Pro Bowl has been kind of hard for me the past few years," Matthews said. "Not drudgery, but the game has been really tough because these kids are so young and strong, and they want to prove themselves on the field. Like I've said, I think I'm pretty much done. But there's a chance I guess. It's just hard to imagine walking away for good."
Paul Arnett has been covering sports
for the Star-Bulletin since 1990.
Email Paul: parnett@starbulletin.com.