Clay Matthews Biography

William Clay Matthews III, born on May 14, 1986, is an American former professional football linebacker who has played in the National Football League for a decade, primarily with the Green Bay Packers. Matthews holds the record for most sacks in Green Bay Packers history with 83.5 and has been selected to the Pro Bowl six times and named All-Pro on two occasions. He was honored with induction into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 2024. After graduating from Agoura High School in Agoura Hills, California, he joined the University of Southern California as a walk-on student athlete for the USC Trojans football program under head coach Pete Carroll. During his collegiate tenure, he contributed to three Pac-10 Championship teams. He was regarded as a top prospect ahead of the 2009 NFL draft. In his first season at USC, he participated only on the scout team during the 2004 BCS National Championship campaign and declined opportunities to play in late-game situations to maintain his redshirt status and NCAA eligibility.