Jerome Alvon Mathis (born July 26, 1983 in
Petersburg, Virginia) is a professional
American and Canadian football wide receiver and
kick returner who currently plays for the
Pittsburgh Power. He was drafted by the
Houston Texans in the fourth round of the
2005 NFL Draft. He played
college football for
Hampton.
Mathis has also been a member of the
Washington Redskins. He earned a
Pro Bowl selection and was an All-Pro with the Texans in
2005.
Early years
Mathis attended
Petersburg High School in Petersburg, where he was an all-state, all-district and all-metro wide receiver and kick returner. He left high school as a six time state champion in
track, winning the 2001 national indoor
200 meter title, and setting the 7th fastest time in the nation with 21.79 seconds, at the
Nike Classic. He also set the joint 5th fastest 55 meter indoor time in the nation that year with 6.36, 0.01 seconds faster than Tyson Gay, and the 2nd fastest 300 meter indoor time with 34.03.
College career
Mathis holds the
NCAA record for career kick return average, breaking the record set by
John Taylor of
Delaware State University, with an average of 26.6 yards per return. He also holds the NCAA record for career kickoff returns for a
touchdown with six.
Professional career
Pre-draft
Mathis recorded the third fastest
40 time (4.28 seconds) ever at the
NFL Combine, behind
Fabian Washington (4.25 seconds) and......
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