“I Almost Walked Away From the NFL for Real Estate” | Clay Matthews

On the 100th episode of the Matthews Mentality podcast, Kyle Matthews interviews his brother Clay Matthews, a former Green Bay Packers linebacker and the franchise’s all-time sack leader. Clay discusses life after football with three kids and working outdoors, then recounts nearly taking a commercial real estate internship arranged by Kyle before choosing to pursue the NFL. He reflects on being a late bloomer, walking on at USC, struggling with homesickness and thoughts of transferring, and earning his role through special teams before breaking out as an edge rusher. Clay shares Pete Carroll’s competition-driven culture, the 2009 draft process and Green Bay trading up to select him, his “welcome to the NFL” moment, what made Packers fandom unique, and key Super Bowl XLV leadership and film-study moments shaped by coach Kevin Greene. He also talks mindset, injuries, fame, retirement, NIL/transfer-portal resilience, and off-field stories including Pitch Perfect and fan encounters.