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231. Clay Matthews III

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From the legendary Matthews family, Clay Matthews III became a perfect fit for Lambeau Field.  

Matthews was a star linebacker from the moment he began, earning a Pro Bowl selection in his rookie year and making five more since.  Matthews has excelled at pass rushing, and whenever you watch a game that featured Green Bay, it is likely that Matthews was all over the screen.  

A First Team All-Pro in 2010, Matthews III was the runner-up for the Defensive Player of the Year, with the PFWA naming him as their DPOY.

Matthews played a large part in Green Bay’s success in the 2010s, leading them to a Super Bowl in the aforementioned 2010 campaign.  He finished his career with a final year with the Rams and had 91.5 Sacks with 130 Tackles for Loss over his career.

IMG 0929

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Wednesday, 01 January 2025
  • Position: Linebacker
  • Games Played: 156
  • Notable Statistics: 150 Games Started
    6 Interceptions
    191 Interception Return Yards
    2 Interception Return Touchdowns
    44 Passes Defended
    17 Forced Fumbles
    5 Fumble Recoveries
    109 Fumble Recovery Yards
    1 Fumble Recovery Touchdown
    91.5 Quarterback Sacks
    519 Combined Tackles
    383 Solo Tackles
    136 Assisted Tackles
    130 Tackles for Loss
    200 Quarterback Hits
    95 Approximate Value

    15 Playoff Games
    15 Playoff Games Started
    2 Passes Defended
    4 Forced Fumbles
    4 Fumble Recoveries
    29 Fumble Recovery Yards
    11.0 Quarterback Sacks
    53 Combined Tackles
    32 Solo Tackles
    11 Assisted Tackles
    8 Tackles for Loss
    22 Quarterback Hits
  • Played For: Green Bay Packers , Los Angeles Rams
  • College: USC
  • Drafted: 1st Round, 26th Overall in 2009
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Super Bowl Rings (Green Bay Packers, XLV)  
    PFWA Defensive Player of the Year (1) (2010)
    The Sporting News Player of the Year (1) (2010)
    First Team All-Pro Selection (1) (2010)
    Second Team All-Pro Selection (1) (2012)
    Pro Bowl Selection (6) (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 & 2015)
    All-Rookie (2009)

  • Other Points of Note:

    Finished 3rd in Defensive Rookie of the Year Voting in 2009

    AP Defensive Player of the Year Finishes:
    2nd in 2010

    Top Ten Finishes: Approximate Value (1) (2010)
    Top Ten Finishes: Fumble Return Yards (1) (2017)
    Top Ten Finishes: Tackles for Loss (4) (2009, 2010, 2012 & 2014)
    Top Ten Finishes: Quarterback Sacks (2) (2010 & 2012)

  • Notable All Time Rankings:

    24. Tackles for Loss: 130
    87. Quarterback Sacks: 91.5*

    *This Rank includes Pro Football Reference's unofficial calculation from 1960 to 1981.


  • Years Nominated for the Hall of Fame: None

Should Clay Matthews III be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 25%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 50%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 25%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%
Last modified on Saturday, 26 September 2026 03:52

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