Jake Matthews (American football)
A rock-solid, technically flawless left tackle who has protected quarterbacks' blind sides for a decade as the Falcons' unshakeable cornerstone.
Born 1992 (age 34)·American football player·Birthday: February 11·Millennials
Biography
Jake Matthews arrived in the NFL with a royal pedigree as the son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, but he has carved his own legacy through consistent, high-level performance. Drafted sixth overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 2014, he stepped immediately into the critical left tackle role and has hardly missed a snap since. His game is built not on overwhelming power but on exceptional footwork, intelligence, and hand placement, making him a frustrating puzzle for even the league's best pass rushers. While his team has seen ups and downs, Matthews's reliability has been a constant, earning him multiple Pro Bowl selections and making him the anchor of an offensive line that reached a Super Bowl in 2016. He represents the quiet, professional excellence that franchises build around.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jake was born in 1992, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jake Was Born
The biggest hits of 1992
#1 Movie
Aladdin
Best Picture
Unforgiven
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Jake's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1992Born
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1997Started school
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2005Became a teenager
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Could drive
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2010Could vote
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Turned 21
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2022Turned 30
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 34 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected to multiple Pro Bowls, recognizing him as one of the NFL's premier offensive tackles.
- Started in Super Bowl LI for the Atlanta Falcons against the New England Patriots.
- Has maintained an extraordinary streak of consecutive games started, showcasing rare durability for his position.
- Was a First-team All-SEC selection and a consensus All-American in his final year at Texas A&M.
Did You Know?
He is part of a remarkable football family: his father Bruce is a Hall of Famer, his uncle Clay Jr. played in the NFL, and his cousin Kevin is also a former NFL center.
He and his brother Mike (a center) played together on the offensive line at Texas A&M.
He married his high school sweetheart, Meggi, and they have several children.
“My job is to protect the quarterback; everything else is just noise.”
