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Thirty Sundays to NFL football: 30 reasons why we love the Green Bay Packers

By Raymond Rivard

Don Majkowski with the guy who succeeded him as Packers quarterback. Raymond T. Rivard photograph
Don Majkowski with the guy who succeeded him as Packers quarterback. Raymond T. Rivard photograph /
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Jan 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) tackles Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) in the NFC Championship at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Packers 28-22 in overtime. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) tackles Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) in the NFC Championship at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Packers 28-22 in overtime. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Clay Matthews

Has there been a more unselfish player the past couple of years than Clay Matthews?

Halfway through the 2014 season the Packers moved Matthews to inside linebacker and out of the position where he is best – outside linebacker.

Not only did the move lift the Packers to within minutes of a Super Bowl berth in 2014, but he helped lead the Packers defense again this past season – spending most of his time lining up inside, helping to disrupt and confuse offenses and helping the Packers to yet two more playoff games.

Clay Matthews moves in on Tom Brady during the December matchup at Lambeau Field. Raymond T. Rivard photograph
Clay Matthews moves in on Tom Brady during the December matchup at Lambeau Field. Raymond T. Rivard photograph /

As the second highest paid player on the Packers roster, Matthews has been worth his weight in gold – on the field and in the locker room. He has demonstrated to younger (and older) players on the roster what it takes to be a team player and how sometimes one has to sacrifice personal goals and statistics to help the team.

By the end of the season, head coach Mike McCarthy recognized in public that Matthews’ best contributions come when he is lined up outside. That said, it appears the Packers are committed to finding ways for Matthews to play on the outside of this improving defense.

How they do that remains to be determined, but one can probably assume that no matter where he lines up, Matthews will continue to play at a high level.

You’ve got to love a guy like that.

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