Spring Break
Son of Pro Football Hall of Famer wants to leave his own legacy
By: Jack Molitor
Issue date: 8/29/07 Section: Sports
On the Texas A&M football depth chart, sophomore offensive lineman Kevin Matthews can be found behind senior standout Cody Wallace. In the months leading up to the season, Wallace has taken the spotlight, receiving accolades from preseason All-American to Rimington Award candidate. Despite being an intimidating figure at 6 foot 4 inches tall and 300 pounds, some think Matthews is living in Wallace's shadow, but this isn't the first time Matthews has played behind a great player.
He's been doing it his entire life, as his father is Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews.
"It was kind of weird five years ago when he retired, because he had been playing my entire life before then," Kevin said.
Bruce was inducted into the Hall of Fame earlier in August, and Kevin said it was a memorable day. Bruce was in the same draft class as other Hall of Famers like Dan Marino and Jon Elway.
"We flew out first class to the ceremony," Kevin said. "It was cool because I had never flown first class except for a couple of game flights last year."
He said his father was a great role model, influencing him as a player.
"My dad is someone that I look up to greatly," he sia.d "It has definitely been an advantage for me having him in my life. He's taught me everything."
Kevin comes from a pedigree of great football talents. Kevin's grandfather Clay Matthews Sr. and uncle Clay Matthews Jr. were also long-time NFL players. Kevin, who grew up in Sugar Land and went to high school at Elkins, said he always knew football would be in his future.
"I had no doubt about it. I grew up breathing football, obviously," Kevin said. "One time I got to meet John Madden and I met a lot of the players, too. I especially knew as I got older and I started getting bigger and noticed by some football people."
Kevin said that growing up the son of a pro football player had its advantages, but being in a football family, there was always some pressure to succeed. He also said that family fame would only get somebody so far.
He's been doing it his entire life, as his father is Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews.
"It was kind of weird five years ago when he retired, because he had been playing my entire life before then," Kevin said.
Bruce was inducted into the Hall of Fame earlier in August, and Kevin said it was a memorable day. Bruce was in the same draft class as other Hall of Famers like Dan Marino and Jon Elway.
"We flew out first class to the ceremony," Kevin said. "It was cool because I had never flown first class except for a couple of game flights last year."
He said his father was a great role model, influencing him as a player.
"My dad is someone that I look up to greatly," he sia.d "It has definitely been an advantage for me having him in my life. He's taught me everything."
Kevin comes from a pedigree of great football talents. Kevin's grandfather Clay Matthews Sr. and uncle Clay Matthews Jr. were also long-time NFL players. Kevin, who grew up in Sugar Land and went to high school at Elkins, said he always knew football would be in his future.
"I had no doubt about it. I grew up breathing football, obviously," Kevin said. "One time I got to meet John Madden and I met a lot of the players, too. I especially knew as I got older and I started getting bigger and noticed by some football people."
Kevin said that growing up the son of a pro football player had its advantages, but being in a football family, there was always some pressure to succeed. He also said that family fame would only get somebody so far.
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