When you're an elite NFL player, changing positions isn't merely an afterthought: It's not even a consideration. That's what makes Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Clay Matthews so impressive. After starring as a dominant sack artist at outside linebacker for his first four pro seasons -- twice earning All-Pro honors and four times earning a Pro Bowl selection -- Matthews switched spots during the 2014 season, when his team needed it the most. Since then, he's followed it up with two more Pro Bowls.
The Huffington Post caught up with the 29-year-old former Southern Cal standout to discuss his biggest challenges with the change, how the Jordy Nelson injury derailed the Packer offense and his recent big-picture roles in "Entourage" and "Pitch Perfect 2" -- not to mention his new gig as a DiGiorno pizza spokesman.
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This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Were you surprised by the personal foul, "roughing the passer" penalty issued against Detroit that ultimately led to the Aaron Rodgers Hail Mary on Sunday?
The refs obviously made the right call.
What did you see on the final play? I should say, before the final play. And then where did you watch the Hail Mary?
Well, I saw [Rodgers] get sacked, but it definitely looked like a face-mask or a hit to the head and shoulders. As a guy who takes the quarterback down, I knew that was going to be called. I know there’s a lot of scrutiny on the refs right now as to whether it was the right call or not, but they’re going to call that 100 percent of the time. And then the last play, I thought, 'Oh, that’s great, but I don’t know what that 15 yards is going to do for us.'
I was ready to jog into the tunnel and, you know, let another one slip through our fingers. But that throw was unbelievable, that throw and catch. To win in that fashion and that manner was unbelievable. It was a great feeling. Our locker room was ecstatic after the game, and the plane ride home was awesome. I didn’t get to sleep until 3:00 [in the morning].
What is the plane ride like after such a dramatic win?
For the most part, whether it’s a win or loss, it’s usually exhausted guys who are just ready to get home. Some guys, obviously, after a loss are a little down or after a win are a little up, but I can tell you for certain after that game, everybody was up and excited and just really ecstatic with the final result.
How does a win like that differ from a win where everything goes right and you guys beat a team by 30?
Well, you learn that it’s so hard to win in this league, that when you do win --whether it’s by 30 or by a Hail Mary -- that you’re appreciative of it and the feeling is all the same. Granted, this one was definitely sweet. But I think what you can take away from these types of games and this type of victory is that it legitimately took all 60 minutes. There were zero seconds left on the clock to win a ball game.
Can you break down how challenging the position change has been? I know you were hesitant, but are you having more fun now?
Well, it definitely was a change of pace, that’s for sure. I had so much success at that outside linebacker position and rushing the quarterback, [so it was hard] to switch to middle linebacker, who’s more of a run stopper.
The more I’ve gotten used to the position, the more I’ve grown into it and learned where my new line is and where my safeties are around me. It’s allowed me to play faster and play better overall.
I think the great thing about being an inside linebacker is generally you have a direct correlation to each and every play. Where you sit and where you drop [into coverage], you really do have a great hand in how the game plays out. Where generally as an outside linebacker or a pass rusher it’s a one-on-one type of game, where if it’s a run you’re either holding down the edge or chasing the ball carrier, so you can get eliminated from a game in that regard.
So I’m having fun with it. I think we’re always finding a balance with how much I should rush or how much I should play in the middle, but the results speak for themselves. This defense is heading in the right direction, and our offense -- once it gets clicking -- it should hopefully be a recipe for a deep playoff run.
How have you seen the offense transform? There have clearly been immense struggles without Jordy Nelson, but what has impressed you the most?
I really think it’s about just the "next man up" mentality, and the growing process that they've had to deal with. You take out Jordy, who’s our No. 1 receiver, and then it requires other guys to step up and fill the void [and] do things that they haven’t been asked to do. So there have been growing pains along the way. It’s just required guys to step their games up. And at times that hasn’t been the case, but you have to figure over the work of a season that guys are going to continue to improve, better their skills and their game to the point where they take on a greater role -- not only on the field but off the field as well.
When you think about the NFC, you guys are such an interesting team, because of the star power on both sides of the ball. You have won a Super Bowl, but what has this team not done that it needs to do in order to get back there this season?
We were so close last year, and the media, all year, has asked: "Are you going to be able to overcome that hangover?" But I think it serves as an example of how close we are and how special that team really was, and how we’d like to get back to the NFC Championship game and then the Super Bowl. So hopefully it’s fuel for everybody, and hopefully in the long run, it will make it that much more sweet.
You have taken up acting quite a bit recently. What is the difference, in terms of preparation, between acting and playing football?
I’ll tell you what: I’m definitely more comfortable playing football, because that’s what I’ve been doing for 20-some-odd years, but the reality is that being in front of the camera is pretty nerve-wracking, especially when it’s only you on camera and they expect the best. But you know, the great thing about filming spots is that the director and producer want to make you look your best. And they do a million takes, which is something you don’t get all the time in football, if at all. So that’s always a pleasant surprise. They both bring out the nerves, but I’m going to stick with football.
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