Pack's Matthews Wants To Outplay Hall Of Fame Name
ARLINGTON (AP) - Even though Clay Matthews ended up in the family business, he's determined to outplay the expectations that come along with having a Hall of Fame last name.
Going into Sunday's Super Bowl matchup with Pittsburgh, the Green Bay Packers' linebacker has become one of the most ferocious pass rushers in the game only two years into his NFL career.
His quick transition shouldn't be a surprise. His father Clay Jr., uncle Bruce, and grandfather, Clay Sr. all played in the NFL. Little brother Casey just finished his senior season as a linebacker at Oregon and is likely to be drafted.
As Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says of Matthews, "That guy was born to play football."
Despite his pedigree, Matthews says nothing was handed to him; he came to USC as a walk-on and played his way into becoming a first-round draft pick for the Packers in 2009.
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