Minneapolis-based Shock Doctor, the mouthguard specialist, signed a three-year endorsement contract with NFL San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews. 

Mathews will be wearing Shock Doctor's Custom Mouthguard and Ultra Carbon Chin Strap in all football practices, games and competitions in which he participates, including NFL exhibition, pre-season, regular season and playoff games.  Mathews will also serve as a key member of Shock Doctor's Sports Science and Performance Advisory Board and will provide product development feedback from his experience on the field – the most authentic and highest level of product development input.

“We are very excited to be partnering with Ryan Mathews and to have him as part of our Shock Doctor family,” said Tony Armand, CEO of Shock Doctor.  

“I'm always looking for that extra edge on the playing field,” said San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews.  “Shock Doctor's unwavering commitment to creating superior sports protection with performance enhancement gives me that edge.  I've always worn Shock Doctor mouthguards in football and basketball throughout my life.  Shock Doctor's Custom Mouthguard is so comfortable that it feels like I don't have a mouthguard in there, and it really makes breathing and speaking a lot easier while not compromising protection.  I also like the comfort of the Ultra Carbon Chin Strap and the fact that it has a removable, washable liner.”

The San Diego Chargers selected Mathews with the 12th overall pick of the first round in the 2010 NFL Draft. A school record and NCAA-leading 1,808-yard, 19-touchdown rusher as a junior at Fresno State, Mathews became the first running back selected by the Chargers in the first round since 2001.  As a junior at Fresno State, he tallied 17 runs of 20 yards-or-longer.  He enjoyed some of his best days in college football against the nation's top defenses, including a 234-yard, three-touchdown day against Boise State in which he averaged 12.3 yards per carry.  Mathews was the only player in the nation in '09 to rush for 100 yards against three Top-25 teams.  

“We view this as a terrific opportunity to raise the visibility of our leadership position in mouthguard science and technology, and to help athletes understand how our innovative products enable them to optimize their performance while providing best-in-class protection,” said Jay Turkbas, senior vice president of product development and marketing for Shock Doctor.