Clay Matthews Jr.

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Matthews is the father of Clay Matthews III, an All-Pro linebacker and Super Bowl champion, and Casey Matthews, a former American football linebacker; and he is the brother of Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection with the Browns. In 1984, Matthews recorded 12.0 sacks. He was present at infamous Browns playoff losses: Red Right 88 (1981), The Drive (1987), and The Fumble (1988). In a playoff game against the Bills on January 6, 1990, he intercepted a pass at the one-yard line to seal a victory. After the 1993 season, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons. In 1995, at age 39, he started all 16 games and set a record as the oldest player to record a sack at age 40 years, 282 days. Matthews was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week twice (Week 12, 1984 and Week 9, 1991). He and his son Clay III are the only father-son tandem to be named Defensive Player of the Week. In 2022, the PFRA named him to the Hall of Very Good Class of 2022.

In Their Own Story

Clay Matthews Jr. crouched at the line, eyes locked on the quarterback's hands, ignoring the frost biting his exposed skin. He felt only the coiled adrenaline of the moment. As the snap erupted, he exploded from his stance, closing the gap before the receiver could plant a foot for his break. The play unfolded in a blur of motion. Matthews Jr. read the route instantly, driving hard toward the ball carrier. The impact was thunderous—a collision that seemed to echo across the silent, frozen expanse of Lambeau Field. He emerged from the pile with the football secured tight against his chest, a rare turnover that ignited a roar from the small, shivering crowd gathered against the chill.

Reader's Guide

Matthews resides in Agoura Hills, California. He serves as defensive coordinator at Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, California. He was inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005, along with his brother Bruce. He opened a Pontiac car dealership in Euclid, Ohio in 1992; it now operates as Sims Buick GMC. He and his brother Bruce competed with family on Family Feud, hosted by Richard Dawson; the family won with 41 points but did not take the $10,000 grand prize. In 2014, he was named Director of Football Operations at Carter High School (Tennessee), where he once served as an assistant coach.

Did You Know?

• Matthews played 19 NFL seasons, primarily for the Cleveland Browns, and also played for the Atlanta Falcons.
• He is the brother of Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews.
• He and his son Clay Matthews III are the only father-son duo to both be named NFL Defensive Player of the Week.
• At age 40 years, 282 days, he set a record as the oldest player to record a sack.