Matt Bushman

Matt Bushman (born November 3, 1995) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL) from 2021 to 2023. He played high school football at Sabino High School in Tucson, Arizona, where he led the country in receiving yards by a tight end his senior year with 1,583 yards and 26 touchdowns. After serving as a Mormon missionary in Chile from 2014 to 2016, Bushman played college football for the BYU Cougars from 2017 to 2020. While at BYU, he was a freshman All-American, led the team in receiving yards for three straight seasons, and was a two-time Phil Steele All-Independent first team selection. He missed the entire 2020 season due to injury.

Bushman signed with the Las Vegas Raiders after going undrafted in the 2021 NFL draft. He played in two games for the Raiders in 2021 as a practice squad elevation. He was then a member of the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad from 2021 to 2023, appearing in one game as a practice squad elevation. Bushman was a member of two Super Bowl-winning teams during his time with the Chiefs.

Early life Matt Bushman was born on November 3, 1995, in Carbondale, Illinois. He grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 2005, when Bushman was in fourth grade, the family's home was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. He played high school football at Sabino High School in Tucson, earning all-state honors twice. Bushman recorded high school totals of 2,891 receiving yards and 42 touchdowns.

In the class of 2014, Bushman was rated a three-star recruit, the No. 14 tight end in the country, and the No. 13 overall player in Arizona by ESPN.com, a three-star recruit, the No. 35 tight end in the country, and the No. 17 overall player in Arizona by 247Sports.com, and a three-star recruit by Scout.com. In October 2013, he committed to play college football and baseball for the BYU Cougars of Brigham Young University. Following spring camp, he was a member of the BYU Cougars baseball team during the 2017 season as a backup infielder. He played in all 13 games, starting eight, for the second consecutive season in 2018, recording 29 receptions for 511 yards and two touchdowns while earning Phil Steele All-Independent first team honors. Bushman and Jared Pinkney were the only two tight ends on the Walter Camp Award watchlist. He appeared in all 13 games, starting 11, in 2019, catching 47 passes for 688 yards and four touchdowns. However, he ended up missing the entire 2020 season after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon during practice on August 31, 2020. He was a team captain his senior year. Although he still had a year of eligibility remaining due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bushman decided to enter the 2021 NFL draft. He spent the 2020 season rehabbing his Achilles in Provo, Utah and graduated from BYU in December 2020. Afterward, Bushman began training at EXOS Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine in Scottsdale, Arizona. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com stated "He has good yards-per-catch numbers and quality ball skills, but is unable to separate against tight man coverage and struggles to finish contested catches. He's a poor blocker at the point of attack." Prior to the draft, he said that he had been contacted multiple times by both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders, and that he had an upcoming medical screening with the Raiders.

Las Vegas Raiders After going unselected in the 2021 NFL draft, Bushman signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on May 7, 2021. Bushman was waived on August 31 but signed to the practice squad the next day. On October 23, he was elevated to the active roster after Nick Bowers was placed on injured reserve. He made his NFL debut on October 24, playing 11 snaps on offense and two snaps on special teams in a 33–22 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He reverted to the practice squad after the game. Bushman was promoted to the active roster for the second time on December 4 after Darren Waller was ruled out for the December 5 game against the Washington Football Team. Bushman appeared in eight snaps on special teams during that contest and reverted to the practice squad afterwards.

Kansas City Chiefs After a visit, Bushman signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on January 4, 2022, joining Nakia Griffin-Stewart and Mark Vital as the third tight end on the practice squad. Bushman signed a reserve/future contract with the Chiefs on February 2, 2022. Bushman sustained a fractured clavicle in the Chiefs' preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on August 25, 2022, a game in which he recorded three receptions for 73 yards and two touchdowns prior to being injured. He was waived on August 30 with an injury designation. Bushman became a Super Bowl champion when the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.

Bushman was waived by the Chiefs on August 29, 2023, and then re-signed to the practice squad the next day. On September 7, just hours before kickoff, Bushman was elevated to the active roster after Travis Kelce was questionable for the day's season-opening game against the Detroit Lions. Bushman played seven snaps on offense in the 21–20 loss to the Lions. He reverted to the practice squad after the game. Bushman won his second straight Super Bowl when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. Bushman's mother Shannon played volleyball at Ricks College, sister Madeline played volleyball at Dixie State, brother Riley and uncles David, Quinn and Scott Gooch played football at BYU, and uncle Douglas played basketball at Utah. He started the Matt Bushman Foundation in January 2021 in order to give underprivileged kids athletic equipment and sports opportunities.