First ‘Instant QB’ Tom Matte praises Broncos’ Kendall Hinton in letter

The need for an emergency — call it more like a panic — quarterback doesn’t happen frequently.

The NFL saw it this past weekend when the Denver Broncos’ quartet of rostered and practice squad QBs got themselves in a COVID-19 thicket. The team turned to Kendall Hinton, who made the best of an absolutely impossible situation.

In 1965, the Baltimore Colts had a quarterback quandary. Johnny Unitas and Gary Cuozzo were unavailable. The Colts turned their offense over to running back Tom Matte, who handled himself quite well.

Matte, now 81, reached out to Hinton this week.

“Fifty-five years ago, I was in your shoes,” Matte wrote per DenverBroncos.com. “I was the Baltimore Colts’ ‘instant quarterback’ and believe me, it was an experience I’ll never forget! Late in the 1965 season, our quarterbacks – John Unitas and Gary Cuozzo – were injured. My usual position with the Colts was halfback but, having played quarterback in college, I was technically the team’s third-string QB. So when Unitas and Cuozzo went down, my initial reaction was simply, ‘Oh, my god. Don’t tell me I have to play quarterback.'”

Here’s an article that details Matte’s run — literally and figuratively — as the Baltimore Colts’ QB, 55 years ago.

Matte told Hinton how proud he was and how the starting role will be something he can proud of for many years, decades.

“As the only two ‘Instant Quarterbacks’ in NFL history, we have a strong connection, thanks to our shared experience,” Matte wrote. “I’m proud of how you stepped up for your teammates, particularly in what was an impossible situation in difficult circumstances. Decades from now, I hope you’ll look back with pride on your experience – you’ll have quite a story to tell your grandchildren!”

The complete text of Matte’s letter to Hinton can be found below:

Please read on for the full letter:

Dear Kendall:

When you took the field against the New Orleans Saints today and lined up under center, not many people watching could relate to you – but I could.

Fifty-five years ago, I was in your shoes. I was the Baltimore Colts’ “instant quarterback” and believe me, it was an experience I’ll never forget! Late in the 1965 season, our quarterbacks – John Unitas and Gary Cuozzo – were injured. My usual position with the Colts was halfback but, having played quarterback in college, I was technically the team’s third-string QB. So when Unitas and Cuozzo went down, my initial reaction was simply, “Oh, my god. Don’t tell me I have to play quarterback.” My confidence wasn’t bolstered when I got into the huddle and the whole offensive line had this message for me: “Good luck, Matte.” I needed luck, as I hadn’t played the position in nearly five years. My teammates followed up with this question, “Do you even know how to call the plays?”

By the time I took the field against the Los Angeles Rams – and faced the formidable “Fearsome Foursome” defensive line of Rosey Grier, Lamar Lundy, and future Hall-of-Famers Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen – I’d had a crash course in playing quarterback in the National Football League. The coaches had prepared a game plan better suited to my abilities – that is, fewer passes and far more running plays – and my wife had written the plays on a wristband that I wore. To my astonishment, the Colts beat the Rams that day!

After defeating the Rams, we faced the Green Bay Packers in a conference championship game that would determine which team would go on to the NFL Championship Game. Typical of Colts-Packers games, this one was close. Late in the game, the Packers tied the score with a field goal that sailed wide of the uprights, but was ruled good by a referee. (Years later, in fact, kicker Don Chandler admitted the kick was wide.) The game went to overtime and Chandler kicked another field goal – this one legitimate – that sent the Packers to the championship game and the Colts to a runner-up game with the Dallas Cowboys.

Against the Cowboys, Colts’ Head Coach Don Shula added several passing plays to the game plan, despite his lack of confidence in my passing ability. In fact, he warned the Colts’ defense that they were likely to see a lot of playing time, as he expected quite a few of my passes to be intercepted. To the surprise of Coach Shula and my teammates, I threw two touchdown passes and we trounced the Cowboys, 35-3. That ended my quarterback days, and while I never made it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, my wristband did!

As the only two “Instant Quarterbacks” in NFL history, we have a strong connection, thanks to our shared experience. I’m proud of how you stepped up for your teammates, particularly in what was an impossible situation in difficult circumstances. Decades from now, I hope you’ll look back with pride on your experience – you’ll have quite a story to tell your grandchildren!

Tom Matte