Clay Matthews Siblings: Meet Brian and Kyle Matthews

Clay Matthews III, born on May 14, 1986, in Pacific Palisades, California, emerged as a standout athlete in a family synonymous with football excellence.

As the son of Clay Matthews Jr., a four-time Pro Bowler with the Cleveland Browns, and Leslie Matthews, Clay grew up immersed in the sport, often attending games and training sessions.

He attended Agoura High School in California, where he excelled not only in football but also in wrestling, earning all-state honors in both.

Choosing USC over other top programs like Tennessee, Clay played college football for the Trojans from 2005 to 2008, contributing to two national championships in 2003 and 2004 before his arrival, though his tenure included a Pac-10 title in 2008.

Known for his versatility as a defensive end transitioning to outside linebacker, Clay’s physicality and speed made him a second-round draft pick (38th overall) by the Green Bay Packers in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Off the field, he has embraced a multifaceted persona, from modeling for brands like Nike to acting in films such as The Last Witch Hunter and hosting his own podcast, The Clay Matthews Show.

Siblings

Clay is the eldest of three siblings; his younger brother, Brian Matthews, born in 1989, followed a similar athletic trajectory but opted for a less public route.

Brian played wide receiver at USC alongside Clay from 2007 to 2009, catching passes in key games during their overlapping time on the Trojans’ roster.

Unlike Clay, Brian did not pursue a professional football career, instead channeling his competitive spirit into other pursuits; he has worked in finance and real estate in California, occasionally appearing in family media spots but preferring a low-profile life away from the spotlight.

The youngest sibling, Kyle Matthews, born in 1991, also embraced football early on, playing quarterback at Agoura High School before committing to Vanderbilt University.

There, Kyle started as a quarterback from 2010 to 2013, leading the Commodores to a rare bowl appearance in 2012 and earning SEC honors for his dual-threat abilities.

Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft as a wide receiver, Kyle’s pro career was brief, lasting just one season where he appeared in three games without recording a stat.

Injuries and roster cuts led him to pivot to coaching; by 2025, he serves as an offensive assistant with the Baltimore Ravens, blending his playing experience with a growing role in player development.

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Career

Selected by the Green Bay Packers in 2009, Matthews quickly adapted from his college defensive end role to a 3-4 outside linebacker in Dom Capers’ scheme, debuting with 3.5 sacks as a rookie and helping anchor a defense that propelled the Packers to Super Bowl XLV victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he notched four tackles.

His breakout came in 2010, leading the team with 11 sacks en route to that championship, cementing his status as a fan favorite with his flowing locks and celebratory dances.

The 2010s defined Matthews’ prime, as he became the emotional heartbeat of Green Bay’s defense amid quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ aerial assaults.

In 2012, he exploded for 13.5 sacks, earning first-team All-Pro honors and showcasing his pass-rushing prowess that terrorized quarterbacks league-wide.

Injuries tested his durability, neck issues in 2013 and hamstring woes in 2014, but he rebounded with double-digit sacks in 2014 and 2017, adapting to coordinator changes and positional tweaks.

By 2019, after signing a four-year extension in 2013, Clay’s role shifted toward veteran leadership as younger talents like Za’Darius Smith emerged, prompting his release by the Packers that March.

He signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams, reuniting with college coach Sean McVay, and contributed 3.5 sacks in the 2020 playoffs before retiring in 2022 at age 35.

Across 192 games (170 starts), Matthews amassed 83.5 sacks, 58.5 tackles for loss, and 191 quarterback hits, retiring as the Packers’ all-time sack leader among linebackers.

Accolades

Matthews’ crowning collective achievement arrived early: a Super Bowl XLV ring from the 2010 season, where his defensive contributions helped stifle the Steelers’ offense in a 31-25 victory.

That year also marked his first of six Pro Bowl selections (2010-2011, 2013-2014, 2017), nods that reflected peer and coach recognition of his disruptive presence.

Elite status peaked in 2010 with his lone first-team All-Pro honor from the Associated Press, following a season of 11 sacks and 59 tackles that powered Green Bay’s championship run.

In 2012, a second-team All-Pro selection accompanied his career-high 13.5 sacks, while the 2014 campaign earned another second-team nod amid 7.5 sacks despite injury setbacks.

Beyond stats, Matthews snagged the George Halas Award in 2017 for courageous play, honoring his perseverance through a thumb fracture that required surgery mid-season.

At USC, he collected two-time All-Pac-10 first-team laurels (2007-2008) and a spot on the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Decade team for the 2000s.

Though the Pro Football Hall of Fame call remains pending as of 2025, Clay’s induction into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2023 immortalized his legacy among Cheesehead faithful.