Clay Matthews had a strong 11-year NFL career after the Green Bay Packers selected him in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He spent his first 10 seasons with the franchise and helped them win Super Bowl 45. Matthews made an immediate impact as a rookie, finishing third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2009 and second in Defensive Player of the Year voting the following season. He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2010 and second-team All-Pro honors in 2012.
The former linebacker also won the Butkus Award in 2010, which is given to the NFL’s top linebacker. Known for his relentless motor and playmaking ability, Matthews was a key part of a Packers defense that consistently ranked among the league’s best during his tenure. He closed out his playing days with one final season for his hometown Los Angeles Rams in 2019. In 2024, he was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy with the franchise. The six-time Pro Bowler remains a fan favorite in Green Bay.
Super Bowl Champion Clay Matthews Returns to Spotlight as Packers Draft Pick Announcer
Matthews will be back in the spotlight soon, as he’s set to announce a Day 2 Packers pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The retired linebacker finished his NFL career with 519 total tackles, 383 solo tackles, 130 tackles for loss, 91.5 sacks, 200 quarterback hits, six interceptions, 17 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 44 passes defended, and three defensive touchdowns across 156 games.
Before he became a star in the NFL, Matthews played college football at the University of Southern California (USC). Despite walking onto the team, he developed into a key contributor. In 47 games, he tallied 97 total tackles, 57 solo tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and four passes defended. He earned second-team All-Pac-10 honors in 2008 and helped the Trojans win three consecutive Rose Bowls between 2007 and 2009.
Matthews, 38, has mostly stayed out of the public eye since hanging up his cleats. He lives in Nashville, Tenn., and says he keeps busy helping his wife around the house, coaching his son in tee ball, and helping his kids with their schoolwork. Football may be in the rearview mirror, but he hasn’t lost his competitive edge — just redirected it into fatherhood.
While Matthews was seen as one of the best linebackers of his era, he didn’t receive serious consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame during his first year of eligibility. His case could still gain momentum in future years, but with so many great players on the ballot, the wait could be long. His family legacy runs deep — his grandfather, Clay Matthews Sr., wasn’t inducted, but his father, Clay Matthews Jr., is a frequent candidate, and his uncle, Bruce Matthews, was enshrined in 2007.
