Head of Football’s First Family, Clay Matthews Sr, dead at 88

General Published on : 3/24/2017

matthews-clay-300NFL legend Clay Matthews, Sr. died today at the age of 88.
 
Matthews played four seasons and 45 games as a defensive end and defensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers (1950, 53-55) in the NFL.
 
He began the Matthews' family NFL legacy, with many of his football abilities passed down to generations of Matthews. His sons both played in the NFL, Clay Matthews Jr. (LB –1978-1993 Cleveland Browns, 1994-96 Atlanta Falcons) and Bruce (G, T, C - 1983-2001 Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Tennessee Titans). Bruce was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
 
A third generation of Matthews have played or currently play in the NFL. They include, Clay Matthews III (LB - 2009-present Green Bay Packers), Casey Matthews (LB - 2011-2014 Philadelphia Eagles), Kevin (C - 2010-2013 Tennessee Titans), Jake (T - 2014-present Atlanta Falcons) and Mike (OL - 2016 Cleveland Browns practice squad).

They are just the third, third-generation family to play in the NFL.