Mike Chappell

IndyStar

Robert Mathis' influence last season was immense and transcended the playing field.

According to Colts teammates Daniel Adongo and Bjoern Werner, it also merited special recognition.

As Mathis' record-setting 2013 was winding down, Adongo began surfing the Internet in search of a suitable keepsake. He and Werner settled on a suit of armor — breastplate, helmet, yellow plume — that was prominently displayed Wednesday next to Mathis' cubicle in the locker room.

"It caught me off guard because I've never seen one in real life, like a real one," Mathis said. "That's the real deal. I was humbled by it."

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Check out this picture of the armor in action.

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The armor includes an inscribed metal plate on the left shoulder to commemorate Mathis' season: Team Captain, Mentor, Franchise single season record 19.5 (sacks), Deacon Jones Award, All-Pro. Pro Bowl. The sack total led the NFL, earning Mathis the first annual Deacon Jones Award.

It also includes the initials of the players who presented it: DA and BW.

Adongo made it clear the armor was to recognize Mathis' consummate presence. He and Werner spent their first season in the NFL following Mathis' lead, on and off the field.

"It was from what he's done for me and Bjoern as players and men," Adongo said. "It's more than being a mentor. It goes beyond football and translates into our life outside of football.

"He's shown us a lot and we still learn a lot from him. You learn from the best guy in the league at our position. How lucky are we to do that?"

Call Star reporter Mike Chappell at (317) 444-6830. You can follow him on Twitter at @mchappell51.