Cleveland Browns Career: 1978-93
Bio:
Played his collegiate ball for the Southern California Trojans as middle
linebacker and was the leader of their defense.
Drafted 1A in the 1978 draft as the first linebacker drafted, Matthews beat out
Gerald Irons for the starting job in 1979 and went on to become only one of five
Browns players to play in three different decades. Clay Matthews played in more
games (232) than any other player in team history, however, he is best
remembered as one of the league's finest linebackers throughout his career.
Playing from the right outside linebacker position, Matthews was a mainstay of
Browns defenses for 15 years.
His 16 seasons in Cleveland are second on the club's longevity list, trailing
Lou Groza's 17 years with the Browns. Matthews holds the team record for
quarterback sacks with 76.5. The former first-round draft choice (1978) was
voted to four Pro Bowls (1986, '88, '89 and '90).
Honors:
Pro Bowl 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990
Stats:
| Year |
Tackles |
Sacks |
Yardage |
| 1978 |
34 |
1 |
8 |
| 1979 |
103 |
2 |
20.5 |
| 1980 |
83 |
5 |
38 |
| 1981 |
128 |
5 |
34 |
| 1982 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
| 1983 |
106 |
7 |
49 |
| 1984 |
126 |
12 |
80.5 |
| 1985 |
88 |
6 |
58 |
| 1986 |
89 |
1 |
9 |
| 1987 |
72 |
3 |
17 |
| 1988 |
101 |
6 |
35 |
| 1989 |
113 |
4 |
45 |
| 1990 |
102 |
3.5 |
19 |
| 1991 |
80 |
6.5 |
68.5 |
| 1992 |
111 |
9 |
31 |
| 1993 |
83 |
5.5 |
54.5 |
| Total |
1430 |
76.5 |
567 |
|
