Bill Mathis (born 1936) was an American college and professional football player. A halfback, he is in the Clemson University Hall of Fame. He started his professional career with the American Football League'sNew York Titans, and played his entire career with the AFL's New York franchise. One of four Titans who remained with the New York Jets to play in and win a World Championship game, Mathis led the American Football League in carries in 1961. He was an AFL All-Star in 1961 and 1963. Mathis had a collarbone broken in the third game of 1961, against the Boston Patriots. He played in the next game, and in fact in all the remaining games of the season.
That persistence allowed him to gain a roster spot year after year, and end his career in 1969 as a member of the World Champion Jets. He is one of only 20 players who were in the AFL for its entire 10-year existence, and only 7 players who played their entire AFL careers in one city. Mathis is a member of the American Football League Hall of Fame.
