After spending all of his career through 2018 with the Green Bay Packers, Clay Matthews’ signing with the Los Angeles Rams marks a homecoming for the veteran linebacker. Before he became a star in Green Bay, Matthews grew up in Southern California as a Los Angeles Dodgers fan.
It looks like he may be returning to that Dodgers fandom after cementing himself as a Wisconsin sports legend. In a recent interview with Rams.com, reporter Sarina Morales tested Matthews’ loyalties by asking him a simple question: Cheese curds–a favorite at Milwaukee Brewers games–or Dodger Dogs?
Matthews hesitated for a second before answering Dodger Dogs, saying nothing reminds him of his childhood quite like Dodger Stadium’s iconic treat:
“That’s what’s so special about being here.”@ClayMatthews52 on team culture, camaraderie with new teammates + @Dodgers dogs? 🌭 pic.twitter.com/HJj7J0l30X
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) May 22, 2019
Matthews’ statement comes as several of his former Packers teammates have been offering very public support to their Wisconsin sports counterparts. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and offensive lineman David Bakhtiari both attended Game 5 of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals to support the Milwaukee Bucks, along with Brewers outfielder and reigning MLB National League MVP Christian Yelich, who is also a SoCal native.
The Dodgers beat the Brewers in the 2018 National League Championship Series, a seven-game thriller. Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger, the NL Championship Series MVP, now appears to be the favorite for the 2019 NL MVP, beating out Yelich thus far.
Matthews, however, seems to be embracing his roots. He was born in Northridge and attended Augora Hills High School before joining the USC football team as a walk-on in 2004. By the end of his senior season in 2008, Matthews had become a defensive star for the Trojans.
Now nearing the end of an illustrious career, but changing teams for the first time as a pro, Matthews praised the Rams’ culture during his interview with Morales. He stressed the importance of OTAs and building camaraderie with teammates like fellow linebacker Dante Fowler Jr.
Matthews also praised several leaders on the Rams’ defense like Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers and Aquib Talib for bringing him into his new team’s culture.
“It’s been going great,” Matthews said. “They’ve welcomed me with open arms.”
