Indiana Black Expo Inc. announced that six-time Pro Bowler and retired Indianapolis Colts Linebacker Robert Mathis will receive this year’s Major Taylor Award at the Circle City Classic NCAA Coaches Luncheon presented by the Indianapolis Colts.
One of the main events of the 34th annual Circle City Classic weekend, the luncheon will take place on Friday, Sept. 22, at 11 a.m. at the NCAA Hall of Champions. The Circle City Classic game features a rematch between the Thorobreds of Kentucky State University and the Central State University Marauders at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 23.
Mathis spent his entire 14-year career with the Indianapolis Colts. He played college football at Alabama A&M and was drafted by the Colts in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. A six-time Pro Bowler, Mathis won Super Bowl XLI with the Colts in 2006 over the Chicago Bears.
The Major Taylor Award is presented in honor of Marshall “Major” Taylor, the prominent Indianapolis cyclist. Since its inception in 1987, the award has been presented to African-American athletes, coaches, athletic administrators and officials who not only make a significant local and national contribution to youth, but also encourage excellence in future generations. This year, Mathis will join such past recipients as Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Muhammad Ali, Mathis’ former coach Tony Dungy, Eddie Robinson, Florence Griffith Joyner, Earl Woods, Dominique Dawes, Tamika Catchings, Jerry Rice and George Hill.
Mathis was a four-year starter for the Alabama A&M Bulldogs football team. He set an NCAA I-AA record with 20 sacks during his senior season and established himself as one of the most dominant defensive players in NCAA I-AA history. Mathis is outstanding as an athlete on the field, but his philanthropy off the field has brought a message of hope and encouragement to young people across the community.
“We are excited to honor Robert Mathis as the 2017 Major Taylor Awards recipient,” said IBE President and CEO Tanya Bell. “He is an example of a positive role model for our youth to see.”
“As a proud alumni of an HBCU, I am honored to be the recipient of this year’s Major Taylor Award. I am humbled to be included among the previous distinguished honorees that have made such a tremendous mark in our community,” Mathis said.
Tickets for this year’s NCAA Circle City Classic Coaches Luncheon are $40 per person/$400 per table and can be purchased by visiting the Indiana Black Expo box office at 3145 N. Meridian St. For more information regarding the Major Taylor Award and the 34th Annual Circle City Classic, visit circlecityclassic.com.
