Clay Matthews, Sr.

William Clay Matthews, Sr. (born August 1, 1928) is a former American football Offensive tackle for four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL. His career was interrupted by the Korean War, and Matthews became a paratrooper for the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. In 1953, he returned to the 49ers for three more seasons. He played college football at Georgia Tech and was selected in the 25th round of the 1949 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, but never played for them.

His father, Matty Matthews, coached boxing, baseball, and track at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.

He is the father of Pro Bowler Clay Matthews, Jr. and Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, as well as the grandfather of Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews III, Tennessee Titans center Kevin Matthews, Jake Matthews (currently plays tackle on the Texas A&M Aggies football team) and linebacker Casey Matthews of the Philadelphia Eagles.

He resides with his wife in Sugar Land, Texas.