Clay Matthews III
A relentless, long-haired linebacker whose explosive speed off the edge terrorized quarterbacks and fueled Green Bay's defensive identity for a decade.
Born 1986 (age 40)·American football player·Birthday: May 14·Millennials
Biography
Clay Matthews III didn't just arrive in the NFL; he announced himself with a fury of sacks and a flowing blonde mane that became a signature in Titletown. A walk-on at USC who transformed into a star, he brought a non-stop motor and elite athleticism to the Green Bay Packers' defense. As the emotional leader of the unit, his game-changing plays—a forced fumble in the 2010 NFC Championship, a key sack in Super Bowl XLV—were central to the Packers' last championship run. He piled up sacks, setting the franchise record, and his ability to rush the passer or drop into coverage made him a defensive coordinator's dream. Matthews played the game with a visible, contagious intensity, leaving a legacy as one of the most dynamic and recognizable defenders of his era.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Clay was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Clay Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Clay's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won Super Bowl XLV with the Green Bay Packers following the 2010 season.
- Became the Green Bay Packers' all-time career sacks leader with 83.5.
- Selected to six Pro Bowls and named First-Team All-Pro in 2010.
- Recorded a career-high 13.5 sacks in the 2010 season.
Did You Know?
He comes from a famous football family: his father, Clay Jr., and uncle, Bruce, are both Pro Football Hall of Famers.
Matthews was a walk-on at the University of Southern California before earning a scholarship.
He and his brother, Casey Matthews, faced each other in Super Bowl XLV (Packers vs. Steelers).
He was known for his long blonde hair, which he eventually cut off in 2018.
“I play with my hair on fire and my heart on my sleeve.”
