Clay Matthews Jr.
Clay Matthews Jr. was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and a cornerstone of the Cleveland Browns defense for over a decade.
Football Player
March 15, 1956
69
Clay Matthews Jr., a retired American football player, had a remarkable career as a linebacker in the National Football League, playing for the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons during the 1980s and early 1990s. As a four-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time first-team All-Pro, Matthews was instrumental in leading the Browns to three AFC championship games and earned a spot on the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team. The Cleveland Browns retired his number 57 jersey in recognition of his contributions to the team. Clay Matthews Sr., his father, also played professional football for the San Francisco 49ers.
Known for his long hair, which he grows out during the football season, Matthews’ signature look has attracted attention and speculation from fans. He only cuts his hair once a year, after the season ends.
Clay Matthews III, his son, followed in his footsteps with a successful NFL career as a linebacker, primarily playing for the Green Bay Packers. A six-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro, Clay Matthews III contributed to the Packers’ Super Bowl XLV victory in 2011 and holds the team’s all-time official quarterback sack record.
Both Clay Matthews Jr. and his son, Clay Matthews III, have left an enduring legacy in the NFL through their impressive careers and contributions to the sport.