Matt Joyce (American football)

Matt Joyce (born March 30, 1972) is an American former professional football guard and tackle in the National Football League for the Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions. He played college football at the University of Richmond.

Joyce attended New York Military Academy where he practiced football, basketball and track. He was an All-Conference defensive lineman.

He accepted a scholarship from the University of Richmond, where he was a three-year starter at defensive tackle.

Joyce was not selected in the 1994 NFL draft and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys, with the intention of converting him into an offensive lineman.

He was waived on August 28,^[2] but after being claimed by the Cincinnati Bengals and not passing their physical,^[3] he was signed to the Cowboys practice squad.

On March 1, 1995, he signed as a free agent with the Seattle Seahawks and started the first 13 games at left guard.^[4] He was released on August 25, 1996.

On December 2, 1996, he signed as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals. At the end of the season, he was assigned to the Scottish Claymores of the World League of American Football (WLAF).

The next year, he started the last 6 games at left guard, after missing the first 7 games with a sprained knee. In 1998, he was a backup and special teams player.

In 1999, he started 9 games at left tackle and the last 6 at left guard, after L. J. Shelton was moved into the starting lineup.^[5] The next year, he started 13 games at left guard and was inactive 3 games with a back injury.

On April 26, 2001, he signed as a free agent with the Detroit Lions.^[6] He started 11 games at right tackle and one at left guard. The next year, he started 3 games at right tackle and 3 at left guard. In 2003, he started the last 3 games at left guard in place of an injured Eric Beverly

He was released on April 21, 2005, to make room for Kyle Kosier.^[7]