Bob Matheson

This article is about the National Football League player. For other people, see Robert Matheson (disambiguation).

Bob Matheson

No. 56, 53
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth:	(1944-11-25)November 25, 1944
Place of birth:	Boone, North Carolina, U.S.
Date of death:
Place of death:	Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
Height:
Weight:
Career information
High school:	Boone (NC) Appalachian
College:	Duke
NFL draft:	1967 / Round: 1 / Pick: 18
Career history
Cleveland Browns (1967–1970) Miami Dolphins (1971–1979)
Career highlights and awards
2× Super Bowl Champion (VII, VIII)
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions: 12 Interception yards: 152
Player stats at PFR

Robert Matheson (November 25, 1944 – September 5, 1994) was a linebacker who played thirteen seasons in the National Football League. He played in two Super Bowls for the Miami Dolphins.

A standout linebacker at Duke, he was drafted in 1967 by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the NFL Draft, which was the final year in which the NFL and the AFL held separate drafts. He was then acquired by the Dolphins prior to the 1971 season, after Miami defensive coordinator Bill Arnsparger requested head coach Don Shula to do so.

He was a member of the 1972 undefeated team for the Dolphins.

Matheson was often used by the Dolphins as a fourth linebacker in passing situations. This defensive alignment was often referred to as the "53" defense, named for Matheson's #53 jersey number. This is also referred to as a "34 defense" based on there being 3 linemen and 4 linebackers.

After leaving the Dolphins in 1979, Matheson returned to Duke as an assistant coach. He also coached two seasons with the Miami Dolphins.

• 1981–1982 Duke University (LB)
• 1983–1984 Miami Dolphins (ST)

Matheson died on September 5, 1994 at Duke University Hospital from complications due to Hodgkin's disease.