156. Riley Matheson

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Riley Matheson arrived in Cleveland with little (really no) fanfare to join the Rams in 1939 after going undrafted from Texas-El Paso.  Playing at both Offensive Lineman, Matheson broke out in 1942, earning his first First Team All-Pro, while also capturing that honor in 1944 and 1945.  Granted, this happened during World War II, when the league was depleted, but the NFL Champion in ’45 was out to prove he was there to stay.

The Rams relocated to Los Angeles, but he remained a First Team All-Pro, selected to his fourth and fifth in 1946 and 1947.  He left the Rams to join the San Francisco 49ers of the then-AAFC and finished his career with two years in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Shannon, Texas, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Tuesday, 01 January 1963
  • Position: Linebacker, Offensive Lineman
  • Games Played: 97
  • Notable Statistics: 58 Games Started
    14 Interceptions
    105 Interception Return Yards
    3 Fumble Recoveries*
    0 Fumble Recovery Yards*
    1 Punt Return
    5 Punt Return Yards

    1 Playoff Game
    1 Playoff Game Started

    *Fumbles were not a statistic until the 1945 Season.
  • Played For: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers , Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers
  • College: Texas - El Paso
  • Drafted: Undrafted in 1939
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    NFL Champion (1) (Los Angeles Rams 1945)
    First Team All-Pro Selection (5) (1942, 1944, 1945, 1946 & 1947)
  • Other Points of Note: Top Ten Finishes: Interceptions (1) (1946)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: None.
  • Years Nominated for the Hall of Fame: None

Should Riley Matheson be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 57.1%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 14.3%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 14.3%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 14.3%
Last modified on Wednesday, 23 September 2026 01:59
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