Indeed, not only did he play a game on TNF, his wife delivered a baby as well during the day. He was not going to miss either event!
The NFL Network reported that Falcons owner Arthur Blank was sending his private plane to Gainesville, Ga., — located about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta — to pick up Matthews and bring him to Charlotte.
Matthews has missed just one game in his nine-year NFL career and that absence was in Week 2 of his rookie season in 2014. He has since played in 141 consecutive games, counting five postseason contests.