CLEMSON, SC – The late Ray Mathews, who played on two of the greatest teams in Clemson’s history, was named to the Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 Hall of Honors Class on Saturday.
After finishing his career at Clemson in the 1951 Orange Bowl, Mathews was chosen by the Steelers at number 81 overall in the seventh round of the 1951 NFL Draft.
“I remember people talking about Ray. I know my father and grandfather were talking about him and they thought he was a great player,” Steelers Art president Rooney II said in a press release.
Mathews played in Pittsburgh before the Steelers reached their glory years, but brought his share of glory to the Steelers with his game during nine seasons in black and gold.
The former Clemson star played for the Steelers from 1951 to ’59. He finished his Steelers career with 230 receptions for 3,919 yards, which ranks eleventh in the team’s history.
Mathews played as half and right wing, which is the flanker position in today’s game. He led the Steelers in reception for three consecutive seasons from 1954 to ’56.
In 1954 he had 44 receptions for 762 yards and six touchdowns, while in 1955 he had 42 receptions for 762 yards and six touchdowns. He had 31 receptions for 540 yards and five touchdowns in 1956.
One of the best games of his career came against the Cleveland Browns in 1954, the first time the Steelers defeated their rivals. Mathews scored four touchdowns that afternoon, including three received touchdowns, in the 55-27 win.
Mathews, who attended McKeesport High School in the Pittsburgh area, was one of the Steelers’ early hometown heroes. And he made the hometown proud of him as twice in the Pro Bowl selection (1952 and 1955).
Mathews ended his playing career with the Dallas Cowboys in 1960 after being selected by them in the expansion draft.
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At Clemson, Mathews was part of the 1948 and 1950 Tigers teams, both of which remained undefeated.
The 1948 Clemson Tigers went 11-0. At the time, it was the first perfect season of the program since 1903.
Mathews, who played Clemson from 1947 to 1950, led the Tigers with 13 touchdowns in 1948. He also led the Tigers with 646 yards on the run and an average of 5.7 yards for the team’s best carry.
Despite playing with other Clemson legends like Fred Cone and Bobby Gage, Mathews led Clemson with 728-yard runs in 1949 and threw the ball for 487 yards. He also led the team with an average of 6.0 yards per carry.
A well-rounded player, Mathews also led Clemson in interceptions in 1947 and 1948. His five interceptions in 1948 were a one-season record at the time. He also led the team into the kick-off return yards.
Mathews has played a part in many big wins for the Tigers. In week 9 of the 1948 season, he scored on a 1-yard run beating Auburn, 7-6, preserving Clemson’s perfect season.
He also made an acrobatic hold for a touchdown in the Tigers’ 15-14 win over Miami in the 1951 Orange Bowl Classic. Clemson finished that season 9-0-1.
Mathews was inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978. He was selected to the Pittsburgh Steelers Legends squad in 2007, as part of the franchise’s 75th anniversary celebration.
After retiring as a player, Mathews became a football manager and teacher. For a short time he was assistant manager of the Washington Redskins and the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL.
He later became a teacher and resided in Marion, Pennsylvania, where he died on December 20, 2015 at the age of 86.
The Steelers will welcome the Hall of Honor Class 2022 on the weekend in which the team will face the New Orleans Saints. The Steelers will guard the new class, which includes a presentation on the pitch during the game on Sunday 13 November.
The Hall of Honor exhibit will be part of the Steelers Hall of Honor Museum, which is scheduled to open at Acrisure Stadium during the 2022 regular season. The Steelers Hall of Honor Museum will be located near Gate B above the team’s Pro Shop. Fans will be able to visit the Steelers Hall of Honor Museum all year after its official opening.