Matt Vanderbeek
{{Short description|American football player (born 1967)}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Matt Vanderbeek
| number = 58, 91
| position = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|8|16|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Saugatuck, Michigan, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lb = 255
| high_school = West Ottawa (MI)
| college = Michigan St.
| undraftedyear = 1990
| pastteams =
- Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|1990}})
- Minnesota Vikings (1991)
- Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|1991|1992}})
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|1993|1994}})
- Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|1995|1996}})
| highlights =
| statlabel1 = Tackles
| statvalue1 = 57
| statlabel2 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue2 = 1
| pfr = VandMa21
}}
Matthew James Vanderbeek (born August 16, 1967) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans.
Early years
Vanderbeek attended West Ottawa High School, where he practiced football and track. As a senior linebacker, he posted 104 tackles (13 for loss) and 7 sacks, while receiving All-state honors.
He accepted a football scholarship to play for Michigan State University. As a junior, he was switched from outside linebacker to defensive end and became a starter.
As a senior, he posted 60 tackles (11 for loss), 2 sacks, 5 fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and earned honorable-mention All-Big Ten.{{Cite web |title=Spartans match Michigan's five picks |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1988&dat=19891129&id=LoYyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2KwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4346,2619951&hl=en |access-date=January 7, 2020}} He finished his college career with 119 career tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 5 quarterback sacks.
Professional career
=Indianapolis Colts (first stint)=
Vanderbeek was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts after the 1990 NFL draft on April 30. As rookie, he was converted into an inside linebacker, appearing in 16 games with 7 starts, while registering 46 defensive tackles, one forced fumble and 7 special teams tackles (seventh on the team). He started the last 4 games at left inside linebacker in place of an injured Fredd Young.
=Minnesota Vikings=
On March 18, 1991, he signed in Plan B free agency with the Minnesota Vikings. He suffered a hand injury in training camp and was placed on the injured reserve list on August 27.{{Cite web |title=Transactions |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1734&dat=19910828&id=-j0eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tr4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=3711,8011343&hl=en |access-date=January 7, 2020}} He was released on October 8.
=Indianapolis Colts (second stint)=
On October 23, 1991, Vanderbeek was signed by the Indianapolis Colts.{{Cite web |title=Transactions |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2002&dat=19911024&id=ALkiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NrUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2875,4587286&hl=en |access-date=January 7, 2020}} He started at left inside linebacker in place of an injured Scott Radecic against the Cleveland Browns. He finished the season with 11 defensive tackles and 2 special teams tackles.
He was released on August 31, 1992.{{Cite web |title=Transactions |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19920901&id=qepOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sBQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1857,76947&hl=en |access-date=January 7, 2020}} He was re-signed on September 9.{{Cite web |title=Transactions |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/106822552/ |access-date=January 7, 2020}} He became a special teams standout, leading the team with 18 tackles. He was cut on August 30, 1993.{{Cite web |title=Transactions |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2199&dat=19930831&id=EJQyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=weYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4185,5308517&hl=en |access-date=January 7, 2020}}
=Dallas Cowboys=
On August 31, 1993, Vanderbeek was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys.{{Cite web |title=Transactions |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2199&dat=19930901&id=tq0zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IuYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6481,59234&hl=en |access-date=January 7, 2020}} He registered 22 special teams tackles (second on the team) and contributed to the team winning Super Bowl XXVIII.{{Cite web |title=Both sides seek special delivery |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19940128&id=oOYyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lwcGAAAAIBAJ&pg=3407,4703287&hl=en |access-date=January 7, 2020}} In 1994, he finished with 16 special teams tackles (seventh on the team).
=Washington Redskins=
On March 28, 1995, Vanderbeek signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins.{{Cite web |title=Redskins sign another linebacker |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19950329&id=k-gyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wAcGAAAAIBAJ&pg=1876,5262237&hl=en |access-date=January 7, 2020}} He was placed on the injured reserve list on September 4, 1996, after suffering a torn rotator cuff injury against the Philadelphia Eagles.{{Cite web |title=Redskins are glad Westbrook's back |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19960905&id=aekyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ygcGAAAAIBAJ&pg=6899,471041&hl=en |access-date=January 7, 2020}}
Personal life
Vanderbeek currently works as a real estate broker.
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Super Bowl XXVIII}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vanderbeek, Matt}}
Category:Players of American football from Ottawa County, Michigan
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:American football linebackers
Category:Michigan State Spartans football players
Category:Indianapolis Colts players
Category:Minnesota Vikings players