 Matthews stood 5'8" and weighed 175 lbs which made it difficult to catch him.He played collegiate football at the University of Wisconsin, where he led the nation in punt returns in 1978, averaging 16.9 yards per punt return, including three for touchdowns.Matthews was drafted by the Raiders in the sixth round (#142 overall) of the 1979 NFL Draft, where he earned recognition as one of the greatest returners in the franchise's history.