Bob Matheson - LB

Bob Matheson may be best remembered as a key player in the 1970s Miami Dolphins' "53 defense", so named because Matheson wore #53 with the Dolphins. 

 

Matheson was the Browns' 1st-round pick in 1967. A bench player as a rookie, he was the Browns' starting middle linebacker in 1968 and part of 1969. In 1970 he returned to a backup role. 

 

He played for the Dolphins from 1971 to 1979. Although a backup for his first 3 seasons in Miami, he was the extra linebacker brought in for the "53 defense", essentially a temporary 3-4 alignment. 

 

Bob was a starting outside linebacker for part of 1974 and all of '75 and '76. In 1977 the Dolphins switched to a 3-4 defense, with Matheson starting 9 games as an inside linebacker. 

 

He returned to a backup role for his final two seasons, and was released during training camp in 1980. 

 

Teams: Browns (1967-70), Dolphins (1971-79)