CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Clay Matthews Jr. was snubbed again.
The former Browns linebacker was not elected as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2021.
A five-time semifinalist for the hall, Matthews advanced to the round of 15 finalists for the first time this year, but also the last time he is eligible as a modern-era candidate.
Peyton Manning, Calvin Johnson, Charles Woodson, Alan Faneca and John Lynch were this year’s five modern-era selections. Tom Flores, Bill Nunn and Drew Pearson were elected via the Coach, Contributor and Senior categories respectively.
Matthews best chance to make the Hall of Fame essentially evaporated Saturday night when he was not one of the five modern-era names revealed.
Matthews will now go into the vast pool of senior eligible candidates where the senior committee forwards just one candidate for consideration per year reducing his odds to eventually make the hall to a miniscule number.
Matthews was selected by the Browns 12th overall in the 1978 draft before turning into one of the best linebackers and most durable players in league history.
During his 16 seasons with the Browns from 1978-93, Matthews racked up 76.5 sacks, 1,430 total tackles, 14 interceptions, 24 forced fumbles and 13 recoveries.
Matthews played in 278 games — the the most by a linebacker in NFL history, started 248 games at linebacker — the most by a linebacker in league history, where he amassed 1,561 tackles — third-most in league history and finished his career with 83.5 sacks 27 forced fumbles. 14 fumble recoveries and 16 interceptions.
He was a three-time All Pro and received four Pro Bowl nods.
Matthews is the first and only non-Hall of Famer to be inducted into the Browns’ Ring of Honor at FirstEnergy Stadium.