Terance Mathis

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Mathis's journey to Atlanta began after playing both football and basketball at the University of New Mexico, where he set a Division I record for receiving yards in 1989. After four seasons with the New York Jets as a return specialist and receiver, he signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Falcons in 1994. That year proved transformative; Mathis caught 111 passes, becoming only the eighth player in NFL history to exceed 100 catches in a single season, while also ranking third in the league in touchdown receptions. The pinnacle of his playing career arrived during the 1998 season when he made his first post-season appearance for Atlanta. In Super Bowl XXXIII, Mathis recorded a three-yard touchdown catch and led all receivers with seven catches for 85 yards. He later surpassed Andre Rison as the club's all-time reception leader and eventually passed him on the team's all-time touchdown list as well. Known for his durability and consistency, he finished his Falcons tenure third in franchise history with 57 touchdown receptions and 7,349 receiving yards.

In Their Own Story

Off the field, Mathis has remained deeply connected to his roots and community. Born on June 7, 1967, he was raised by his mother Carole Mahone after his father died when he was just six months old. His mother's resilience became a defining family story; she beat breast cancer just two months before Mathis played in Super Bowl XXXIII. He and his wife Arnedia have a daughter named Terae and a son, Terance Jr., while also raising three other children: Sydney, Erik, and Vanessa. Notably, his children Sydney, Erik, and Vanessa appeared in the music video for Cherish's "Unappreciated."

Mathis founded the "Terance Loves Children" foundation in 1996 to support youth, an effort recognized when he was named the Atlanta Falcons' "Man of the Year" in 1998. His career has also extended beyond football into other ventures; in June 2005, he announced Victory Motorsports with drivers Carl Long and Morty Buckles, though the deal never fully materialized. He later served as Vice President of Marketing for Leavine Family Racing in 2013. On the coaching side, he began at Savannah State University in 2011, led Pinecrest Academy from 2017 until 2019, and returned to the collegiate level as Morehouse College's head coach starting February 2, 2024.

Reader's Guide

For fans looking to understand Mathis's impact, his statistical profile offers clear evidence of his elite status. He is currently second in career two-point conversions with six, trailing only Marshall Faulk's seven. Within the Falcons organization, he holds third place all-time for both touchdown receptions (57) and receiving yards (7,349), behind Roddy White and Julio Jones. His 1994 season remains a benchmark, where he set the single-season club record with 111 catches. Coaching wise, Mathis has held significant roles at multiple levels of football. He served as offensive coordinator for Savannah State University starting in February 2011 and took over the Pinecrest Academy program on May 3, 2017. His most recent appointment was naming him head coach for Morehouse College on February 2, 2024. Whether analyzing his route-running precision during his Pro Bowl season or studying his development of young athletes at Morehouse, Mathis represents a consistent thread of excellence from the college ranks through the NFL and into modern coaching.

Did You Know?

• Mathis's mother, Carole Mahone, beat breast cancer just two months before he played in Super Bowl XXXIII.
• He is currently second all-time in NFL career two-point conversions with six, behind only Marshall Faulk.
• In 1989, Mathis became the first player in Division I history to have more than 250 receptions, 4,000 receiving yards, and 6,000 total yards.
• His three children Sydney, Erik, and Vanessa appeared in the music video for the song "Unappreciated" by Cherish.
• Mathis set a single-season club record with 111 catches during his first year with the Atlanta Falcons in 1994.