Clay Matthews Returns: The Super Bowl Champion and Defensive legend opens up on his football journey, why he went off the grid post NFL career, Netflix analyst, coaching Flag football and his wild new look that had the sports world buzzing.

SPEAKER_1 (0:01)

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Channing Crowder (0:30)

If you've seen any pictures of Clay Matthews III lately, you know that dude's been maxed out. But today we got a much more relaxed version of Clay, and it made for one hell of a conversation. The six-time Pro Bowler had an almost photogenic memory when it came to high school plays and characters, the highs and the struggles at USC, and some of the biggest moments of his NFL career. And the best part? The normally quiet, low-key linebacker just made his Netflix analyst debut. So it was only right we made the trip to Nashville. We got into the Matthews' family legacy, the pressures that come with the name, his walk-on journey at USC, and the moment he realized he actually had a shot at playing in the NFL. And then we talked about the hit that changed the Super Bowl, the Defensive Player of the Year, that he narrowly lost to fellow Trojan Troy Palamalu and the greats he shared the football field with. We talk Clay's life today as well, those maxed out paparazzi picks, coaching flag football and why his teams are always competing, even if it means sending out a few apology emails to parents. Before it's all over, Clay puts on his new hat and gives us his thought on former teammate Aaron Donald's return and his trip to Australia. This is real football, big laughs, great stories and just a dang good time. So please enjoy this conversation with Clay Matthews, the third, as he sits with me, Chan and Freddie Teague.

It would be better to be young and single in Nashville.

Ryan Clark (2:19)

I came here at 37 for the first time.

Channing Crowder (2:21)

Yeah, my first time.

Clay Matthews (2:23)

You still stay away from Broadway. See, I'm old and I got land. So that's cutting grass, chopping wood.

Ryan Clark (2:30)

Yeah.

Clay Matthews (2:31)

That's what keeps me busy.

Channing Crowder (2:32)

I ain't chopping no wood.

Ryan Clark (2:33)

I ain't built for that. I think we're talking about different things.

Channing Crowder (2:36)

The way my body put together a chopping wood. Clay Matthews, the third man. Welcome to The Pivot. This is Channing Crowder, Fred Taylor, Ryan Clark, Pivot fam. Thank you guys for pivoting with us. Bro, I'm actually shocked we could recognize you. You know, I was expecting that you would look a little different when you walked in here. You know, some tone here, right? You know, a little swole up in this area, face maxed out, biceps crazy.

And I mean, bro, I saw you putting the groceries in the trunk and them calves. I was like, hell, I'm trying to get some for real.

Clay Matthews (3:12)

No, I know, a lot of photos circulating. We just teased that thing. But ultimately, I partnered with Caesar's Sportsbook this year. They came to me early on and said, hey, we want to partner with you. We're completely revamping our Sportsbook app. New user interface, more rewards, easier to navigate. And they said, we've completely transformed ourselves. And part of this campaign, the We've Had Some Work Done campaign, they're like, we want you to have some work done as well.

So, actually, Caesars hired Druski's, his prosthetics crew. That's the one there. Yeah, however you feel, one way or the other. So, they did a fantastic job. We did the looks maxing, the gigachad look with the jaw and the chin and the calves and the arms. I think I was in the makeup chair for like four hours, but it was a lot of fun. And ultimately, with football season kicking off, if you already bet on what Caesar's Sportsbook app, we're just jumping in. It's a great way to enhance the viewing experience of the upcoming season. So it was a great partnership. Real happy to be teaming with them. And yeah, it was all just a joke, but it hopefully looks like you guys got a kick.

Channing Crowder (4:11)

And now it was fun, man. The maxed out face, you know, that's better than pheromone maxing, by the way. You know what I mean? Now, but it's really cool, man, just to have that partnership and have you be a part of it as well, because I was like, man, shoot, if Clay's a part of something, like that's a big deal, right? Like you talked about a little bit earlier, man, we were just, before we started filming, you out here chopping wood and cutting grass. So I know if you pop out, man, it's for a good reason. I think it's really cool, bro, to be here in Nashville and get an opportunity to sit with you. But before we start, I got a boner pick.