Before he ever topped the NFL in all-purpose yardage or hoisted a Super Bowl trophy, Tom Matte etched his name into pro football folklore as the ultimate utility man who stepped up when disaster struck. Arriving in Baltimore as a first-round pick out of Ohio State in 1961, Matte immediately made his mark with power running and soft hands, but it was his willingness to adapt—and famously wear a play-sheet taped to his wrist as an emergency quarterback—that proved he was the heartbeat of Don Shula’s backfield.

Matte earned legendary gridiron status during the 1965 season through one of the most famous emergency performances in pro football history. When injuries knocked out starting quarterbacks Johnny Unitas and Gary Cuozzo, Shula tapped Matte to start at quarterback for the regular-season finale and the Western Conference playoff game against Green Bay. Wearing a now-famous wristband with handwritten plays taped to his forearm—a strategic innovation that reshaped modern football communication—Matte managed the offense with courage and poise, leading Baltimore to a 20–0 victory over Los Angeles and pushing the Packers to overtime.

Returning to his primary halfback role, Matte produced his individual statistical masterpiece during the late 1960s. He earned back-to-back Pro Bowl selections in 1968 and 1969, serving as the offensive focal point alongside Earl Morrall and Unitas. In 1968, he rushed for 662 yards and ten touchdowns to power Baltimore to the 1968 NFL Championship. He followed up in 1969 with a First-Team AP All-Pro campaign, pacing the entire National Football League with 1,420 all-purpose yards and 11 total touchdowns while averaging 5.0 yards per carry.

Matte's dual-threat versatility proved essential during Baltimore's championship run in Super Bowl V. Contributing as both a runner and receiving outlet, he helped the Colts secure a 16–13 victory over the Dallas Cowboys to bring the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Baltimore.

Retiring after the 1972 season, Matte had 4,646 rushing yards, 45 rushing touchdowns, 249 receptions for 2,869 yards and 12 touchdown catches, and 8,882 total all-purpose yards.