Last Man Standing

An intimate look at the career of Baltimore Colts' running back Tom Matte and his celebrated stint as an emergency quarterback.

In 1965, Colts' running back Tom Matte became the first emergency quarterback in NFL history when both the legendary Johnny Unitas and his backup were hurt in consecutive weeks late in the season. Wearing a wristband to remember the plays, Matte ultimately played three consecutive games at quarterback for the Colts: the first a must-win game against the Los Angeles Rams, followed by a controversial playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers, and finally a victory over the Dallas Cowboys in what was formerly known as the Runner-up Bowl.

In Last Man Standing: How Tom Matte's Memorable 1965 Season Highlighted a Remarkable NFL Career, Joel Poiley provides a vivid account of this legendary period in Matte's life as well as the lasting impact of his football career on the NFL and the Colts organization through exclusive interviews with Matte himself, his teammates, opponents, family, and friends. A first-round draft pick out of Ohio State in 1961, Matte played twelve years for the Colts. He played in some of the most controversial and memorable NFL games of that era, and still holds the Super Bowl record for highest per-carry rushing average. Matte's legacy in Baltimore extended far beyond the playing field though, with his affable, exuberant personality and contributions to the Ravens making him as popular among Baltimore fans as his more celebrated teammates. A fun throwback filled with insights into the workings and history of the NFL, this is a must-read for all football fans.