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Cleveland Browns: Canton should be calling Clay Matthews Jr. on Saturday

By Eddie McDonald

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 19: Linebacker Clay Matthews #57 of the Cleveland Browns looks on from the field during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on September 19, 1988 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Colts 23-17. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 19: Linebacker Clay Matthews #57 of the Cleveland Browns looks on from the field during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on September 19, 1988 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Colts 23-17. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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It’s time Cleveland Browns linebacker Clay Matthews, Jr. lands in Canton

For the first time in his 20 years of eligibility, former Cleveland Browns star Clay Matthews Jr. is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Without a shadow of a doubt, Matthews should be getting the call from Canton on Saturday.

Matthews is one of 15 Modern-Era finalists. The Hall’s Selection Committee met virtually on January 19th to select up to five finalists for the Hall of Fame. Those who are elected need to have 80 percent of the vote.

An absolute lock to be elected to the Hall of Fame this weekend is former Colts and Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. Outside of him, it is up in the air who will enter the Hall of Fame.

Clay Matthews Jr. deserves to be in the Hall.

The Cleveland Browns selected Matthews 12th overall in the 1978 draft out of the University of Southern California. The draft pick proved to be a good one over the course of the next 16 years. Matthews is the Browns all-time leader in sacks (62), tackles (1,430), and forced fumbles (24). He was a second-team All-Pro in 1984 and made the Pro Bowl four times. He was named to the Pro Football Reference 1980s All-Decade team.

In 2019, the Browns inducted Matthews in their Ring of Honor. He is the first player in team history to be in a team’s Ring of Honor without being in the Hall of Fame first. That’s wild to think about.

He helped lead the Browns to five AFC Central titles and seven playoff appearances, including three AFC Championship games. In 1990, he picked off Bills quarterback Jim Kelly in the waning moments of a playoff game to seal the victory for the Browns.

In four different seasons, Matthews led the NFL in tackles. He has the seventh-most combined tackles in NFL history. He played in 278-career games, 232 with the Browns and 46 with the Falcons, which ranks 23rd all-time. He also holds the record for the oldest player (40) to record a sack.

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That is a Hall of Fame resume and on Saturday, February 6, 2021, Clay Matthews Jr. should be getting a call from Canton.

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