“Lost a Good One”: Jack Nicklaus Mourns the Passing of NFL Legend With Heartwarming Anecdote

Jack Nicklaus is one of the greatest golfers of all time. He has won 18 major championships in his career and is also at the top of the list with the most major wins. Moreover, he is also one of the most popular sporting icons in the United States and has many friends from other sports. 

However, in an unfortunate turn of events, one of his close friends from the NFL, Tom Matte, passed away yesterday. Notably, Jack posted a condolence message on Instagram, recalling a few experiences of him and Tom. 

Jack Nicklaus posts a message on Instagram after Tom Matte passes away

Jack Nicklaus was a close friend of Tom Matte who played in the NFL for 12 seasons for Baltimore Colts. Notably, he was also a Super Bowl Champion and a two-time All-Pro. However, their friendship goes back to the days when Jack and Tom were in school. The two legends studied at the Ohio State University and went to school together, in the same pledge class, and even shared a room. 

Meanwhile, Jack shared everything that he could about Tom in his recent Instagram post. “We lost a good one this week in my fraternity brother and good friend Tom Matte! Tom was a hard-nosed, fun-loving athlete,” Jack said.”And everybody loved him! I don’t care what sport you wanted to play. Matte was there to join you.”

Moreover, he also said that they played basketball and even volleyball together, and Tom loved to compete and would laugh through it the entire time. Furthermore, he shared an interesting experience he had with Tom. 

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Jack shares an interesting experience of his with Tom Matte

Nicklaus was close to Tom Matte and was attending a match when Tom and his Colts were playing in Super Bowl III against New York Jets. “He asked me to come down to the locker room after the game. Well, after Joe Namath backed up his guarantee for a win by the underdog Jets.”

“I said, ‘No, I don’t think I’m going to that Colts’ locker room!’ But I decided to stop in there and pass along my condolences. I walked in, and Tom and the guys were acting like the season just ended and on a good note. Tom lived his life that way! When it was over, it was over, and Tom always walked away with a smile.”

Concluding his post, he said, “Barbara and I want to send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Judy and their family. Tom Matte was such a great guy, a great friend, and he will certainly be missed!” 

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