| No. 8, 9, 7[1] | |||||||||
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| Position | Quarterback | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born | (1975-09-04)September 4, 1975 (age 50) Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S. | ||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||
| Listed weight | 225 lb (102 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school | Wyomissing Area(Wyomissing, Pennsylvania) | ||||||||
| College | Pittsburgh (1995—1998) | ||||||||
| NFL draft | 1999: undrafted | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Matthew Robert Lytle (born September 4, 1975) is an American former professionalfootball player who was aquarterback for theCarolina Panthers andSeattle Seahawks of theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for thePittsburgh Panthers. Lytle was also a member of theRhein Fire,Montreal Alouettes,Baltimore Ravens, andColorado Crush.
Matthew Robert Lytle was born on September 4, 1975, inLancaster, Pennsylvania.[1] He attendedWyomissing Area Junior/Senior High School inWyomissing, Pennsylvania.[1]
Lytle was a four-yearletterman for thePittsburgh Panthers of theUniversity of Pittsburgh from 1995 to 1998.[1] Due to injuries to John Ryan andPete Gonzalez, Lytle made his first career start on November 11, 1995, against theSyracuse Orange, completing 20 of 38 passes for 200 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a 42–10 loss.[2] Overall, he completed 37 of 71 (52.1%) for 299 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions in 1995.[3] Lytle began the 1996 season as the starter but was benched for Gonzalez after a 72–0 loss toOhio State in the fourth game.[4] Lytle later regained the starting job after leading the team to a 20-point fourth quarter in a 53–52 win overTemple during Gonzalez's second start.[4] Overall in 1996, Lytle recorded 105 completions on 214passing attempts (49.1%) for1,249 yards, eight touchdowns, and six interceptions while also scoring one rushing touchdown.[3] Gonzalez beat Lytle out for the starting job late in 1997 training camp.[5] Lytle attempted only 13 passes during the 1997 season, completing five of them for 98 yards and a touchdown.[3] Lytle regained the starting job in 1998 after Gonzalez's departure. Lytle completed 159 of 306 passes (52.0%) for 2,092 yards, 16touchdowns, and 14 interceptions in 1998 while also scoring three rushing touchdowns.[3]
After going undrafted in the1999 NFL draft, Lytle signed with theCarolina Panthers on April 23.[6] He was released on September 5 and signed to the team's practice squad on September 7.[6] He was released again on November 10 and signed to the practice squad again on November 17, 1999.[6] Lytle became a free agent after the season and re-signed with the Panthers on February 14, 2000.[6] In 2000, he was allocated toNFL Europe to play for theRhein Fire.[6] He played in nine games for the Fire during the2000 NFL Europe season, completing 41 of 66 passes (62.1%) for 441 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception.[1] The Fire wonWorld Bowl VIII against theScottish Claymores by a score of 13–10.[7][8] Lytle was released by the Panthers on August 27, 2000.[6]
Lytle was claimed off waivers by theSeattle Seahawks on August 28, 2000.[9] He made his NFL debut on October 22 in a 31–3 loss to theOakland Raiders, but did not record any statistics.[10] He also appeared in the team's 17–15 win over theSan Diego Chargers on November 5.[10] Lytle was later waived on November 21 and re-signed to thepractice squad on November 23.[9][6]
On December 4, 2000, Lytle was signed off the practice squad to the Panthers' active roster afterdefensive endJason Peter was placed oninjured reserve.[9][11] He was inactive for every game the rest of the season.[10]
Lytle made his 2001 preseason debut for the Panthers on August 18 in a 23–8 loss to theNew England Patriots.[12] He attempted just one pass in the game, failing to connect with receiverJim Turner.[12] Lytle saw more extensive action in the preseason finale against theCleveland Browns on August 31.[13] After a 90-yard kickoff returned for a touchdown by Browns receiverAndre King with five minutes remaining in the game, Lytle led the two-play, 59-yard drive which culminated with a 51-yard touchdown to receiverDialleo Burks.[13] Lytle finished the game 5-for-8 for 114 yards and a touchdown, while also carrying the ball twice for a total of five yards, as the Panthers beat the Browns 23–20.[13] Lytle began the 2001 season as the Panthers' third-string quarterback behind starterChris Weinke and backupDameyune Craig.[11] He made his regular season Panthers debut on November 4 against theMiami Dolphins after Weinke went down with a shoulder injury and Craig with a foot injury.[11] Lytle played the final six minutes of the game against the Dolphins, going 2-for-4 for seven yards and losing 13 yards on two sacks as the Panthers lost 23–6.[10][11] The following week against theSt. Louis Rams, Lytle made his first and only NFL start. He completed 15 of 25 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown while rushing for eight yards on two carries.[10] However, he was also intercepted by Rams defensive backsKim Herring andAeneas Williams.[14] His first career touchdown pass came on a four-yard grab bytight endKris Mangum, but the Panthers fell to the Rams 48–14.[14] Lytle's final Panthers appearance came the following month in a 27–23 loss to theNew Orleans Saints.[10] Lytle threw just one pass in the game after Weinke went down with aconcussion, and was intercepted bycornerbackFred Thomas.[11][15]
The following offseason, Lytle was tendered a contract offer by the Panthers as anexclusive-rights free agent.[11] However, the team rescinded the offer on May 21, 2002, making him anunrestricted free agent.[11]
Lytle played with theMontreal Alouettes of theCanadian Football League (CFL) in 2002. He was the backup to longtime CFL starAnthony Calvillo with the Als. Lytle played seven games (with one start), and went 11/27 passing for 182 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception.[16]
After spending the 2002 season in the CFL, Lytle was signed by theBaltimore Ravens on July 23, 2003.[11] He failed to make the team out of training camp, however, and was released on August 25.[11]
On November 23, 2003, Lytle signed with theColorado Crush of theArena Football League.[8] However, he failed to earn a job with the team on opening day and was released in favor ofJose Davis andJohn Dutton on February 2, 2004.[17]