NFL's Robert Mathis: Breath Test Was Below Legal Limit

There's a twist in the Robert Mathis arrest ... his blood alcohol level was BELOW the legal limit, law enforcement sources tell TMZ Sports.

When the ex-Indianapolis Colts star was pulled over at 12:09 AM on Tuesday, we're told he blew a .052 -- well below the legal limit, .08.

So, why was he still arrested for operating while intoxicated?

We're told cops conducted a field sobriety test -- Mathis didn't do well -- and officers ultimately determined Mathis was impaired and unable to drive.

FYI, the law allows officers to arrest someone for OWI based on other tests besides B.A.C.. That seems to be what happened in this case.

As we previously reported, Mathis was stopped in the first place after cops say he was driving the wrong way down a 1-way street.