Story Links BCHOF Release ATLANTA – Former Bethune-Cookman great and Jacksonville Jaguars Pro Bowl cornerback Rashean Mathis is set to be elected as part of the Black College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025, it was announced Wednesday, Dec. 18. “What we have with the Class of 2025 is an incredible showcase of the talent that […]
ATLANTA – Former Bethune-Cookman great and Jacksonville Jaguars Pro Bowl cornerback Rashean Mathis is set to be elected as part of the Black College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025, it was announced Wednesday, Dec. 18.
“What we have with the Class of 2025 is an incredible showcase of the talent that has come from Historically Black Colleges and Universities over the years,” said Black College Football Hall of Fame Co-Founder and 2011 Inductee Doug Williams. “When the Black College Hall of Fame was established, its purpose was to do just this, elevating and recognizing the past, present, and future of Black College Football. Congratulations to the Class of 2025.”
Mathis receives the honor after a prolific college and professional career. He joined Bethune-Cookman football in 1999, where he led the Wildcats secondary, shattering Wildcats’ records and totaling 31 interceptions in four years as a cornerback and free safety.
Mathis was a three-time All-MEAC Selection, earning the distinction in 2000, 2001, and 2001. He was a three-time Division I-AA All-American and became the first defensive back to win the Buck Buchanan Award for Division I-AA’s top defensive player as a senior in 2002.
Mathis still holds the FCS record for most interceptions in a career (31) and in a single season (14). He also holds the FCS record for most yards on interception returns in a career (682) and a single season (455).
Mathis was selected by Jacksonville in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. At 39th overall, he became the third-highest selection by any player from B-CU.
Mathis played 10 seasons with Jacksonville from 2003-2012, later joining the Detroit Lions in the final three seasons of his career.
In his 13-year professional career, Mathis appeared in 175 games, totaling 32 interceptions, 649 tackles, and four defensive touchdowns. He was twice named AFC Defensive Player of the Week, and he was named to the 2006 Pro Bowl after a career-high eight-interception season.
Mathis still holds several Jaguars franchise records, including career interceptions (30), career interception return yards (512), career defensive touchdowns (3), and career passes defended (99).
Mathis was first named a finalist for the Black College Football Hall of Fame on Dec. 3, 2021.
Votes were tallied from the 9-member Selection Committee, comprised of prominent journalists, commentators, and historians, as well as former NFL General Managers and executives, and from members of the BCFHOF to determine the Inductees.
Alongside Mathis, Henry Dyer (Grambling State University), Jacquay Nunnally (Florida A&M University), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State University), Jay “Sky” Walker (Howard University) and Coach Fred “Pop” Long (Wiley College) will be inducted.
The Class of 2025 will be honored at the 16th Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Presented by the Atlanta Falcons on June 7th, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia.
They will also be recognized at halftime of the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl on February 22, 2025 at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, LA, which will be broadcast live on NFL Network (3:00pm CT).
About the Black College Football Hall of Fame
The Black College Football Hall of Fame was founded in 2009 by African-American pioneers, quarterbacks James Harris and Doug Williams to preserve the history and honor the greatest football players, coaches and contributors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). There have been over 100 inductees since inception, including Mel Blount, James Harris, Willie Lanier, Art Shell and Doug Williams, who serve as Trustees.
The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) has a permanent home at the Pro Football Hall of Fame (PFHOF) to tell the story of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
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