Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Clay Matthews III is doing what any good son would do.
He is pleading on behalf of his father Clay Matthews Jr., former Cleveland Browns linebacker, to the Pro Football Hall of Fame voters.
Matthews Jr. is in his final year of eligibility as a modern era finalist for the HOF.
Just a reminder that Clay Matthews, Jr is a HOFer in every way possible save the one that counts in Canton. pic.twitter.com/UBOfIjG30n
— Rod BLuhM #D4L (@CLERodB) March 6, 2020
What Clay Matthews III Said
Matthews III made his pleas on behalf of his father on the day that the selection committee was scheduled to meet.
This is my dad’s last year as a modern era finalist for the HOF. I ask that all media voting tomorrow dive deeper into his career and you’ll see his enshrinement is long overdue.
— Clay Matthews III (@ClayMatthews52) January 19, 2021
He didn’t stop there.
Matthews III continued to make the case for his dad.
The most important qualities discussed about those eligible for the HOF are:
– Peak Performance ✅
– Impact ✅
– Longevity ✅
– Overall Value ✅You CANNOT talk about my dad’s career without touching on each and every quality.
— Clay Matthews III (@ClayMatthews52) January 19, 2021
His numbers are as good, if not better, than so many current, and deserving, members of the HOF. His longevity is unheard of. And his ability to do it all made him invaluable.
— Clay Matthews III (@ClayMatthews52) January 19, 2021
And his closing argument was:
“The words spoken about his play from so many of his peers, many of whom are currently in the HOF, only strengthen his resume. Clay Matthews Jr. deserves to be in the HOF!”
The words spoken about his play from so many of his peers, many of whom are currently in the HOF, only strengthen his resume.
Clay Matthews Jr. deserves to be in the HOF!
— Clay Matthews III (@ClayMatthews52) January 19, 2021
Crowded Class
There are 15 modern-era player finalists including:
- Jared Allen
- Ronde Barber
- Tony Boselli
- Leroy Butler
- Alan Faneca
- Torry Holt
- Calvin Johnson
- John Lynch
- Peyton Manning
- Clay Matthews Jr.
- Sam Mills
- Richard Seymour
- Zach Thomas
- Reggie Wayne
- Charles Woodson
The committee selecting the finalists met on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 for nearly nine hours to make their final selections.
Only the committee knows which 10 players will be enshrined.
Candidates will be notified the day before the Super Bowl on February 6, 2021.
Clay Matthews Jr. Stats
Over a 19 year career with the Browns and the Atlanta Falcons spanning from 1978 to 1996, Clay Matthews Jr. played in 278 games.
He had 16 career interceptions resulting in 1 TD.
Matthews Jr. also had 27 forced fumbles that resulted in 1 TD.
He also amassed 1,595 combo tackles.
All of these accomplishments occurred during the backdrop of two strike-shortened seasons in 1982 and 1987 that hindered his numbers.
He was selected for four Pro Bowls, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1989, and he appeared in 11 playoff games.
The fact that Matthews Jr. made the finalist list on his 20th and final year of eligibility implies that the odds are stacked against him being selected.
Nevertheless, Matthews Jr., reluctant to talk about his candidacy, said this in early January.
“I think if you look at the breath of the work that I did. I came in at a time when outside linebackers were not used to rush the passer. I can remember covering backs who were coming out of the backfield … specifically, I remember Don McCauley from the Colts was a tremendous talent coming out of the backfield … and I did that for about 11, 12 years…Then I moved out and became an edge rusher. Then, let me see, I was a right outside linebacker. Then they moved me to left outside linebacker. Then, later on in my career, I played inside linebacker. Down on the goal line I was a cornerback. So, over 19 years, if you had a need, they could move me in there. And, generally, I’d like to think I held my own … or more than held my own … with all those different jobs.”
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