The Matthews family’s football background goes on for decades.
Bruce Matthews, who was a decorated offensive lineman and 2007 NFL Hall of Fame inductee, has four sons. Three of his sons have played for the Aggies and the youngest has already been offered a scholarship by A&M as a high schooler.
Bruce’s brother, Clay Matthews Jr., was a four-time Pro Bowl linebacker and has three sons. Two of his sons played football at USC, and the other played at Oregon. His middle son, Clay III, is arguably the most famous Matthews right now, as he is considered to be one of the most dynamic pass rushers in the NFL. He has earned a Super Bowl ring and five Pro Bowl appearances, all before his 30th birthday.
Bruce’s third son, Mike, who leads the No. 19 Aggies into another SEC battle against Auburn on Saturday, did not necessarily respect the rarity of his ancestry when he was growing up.
“It’s weird. Growing up my whole life, I never thought about it. I thought everybody’s family was like that,” Mike Matthews, a senior from Missouri City, said chuckling. “But I guess that’s not the case. There’s always something going on. There’s always football games. When we were younger, we always played every sport, so there was always a sporting event to go to.”
But now Matthews, who stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs 290 pounds, is quick to point out that his upbringing certainly benefited his development as a football player.
“Just growing with a large family like that, there’s always so much going on, having to get along with my brothers and stuff like that,” Matthews said. “I think it’s definitely helped me a lot to become the man I am today.”
But Matthews said he hasn’t relied on just his background. Matthews, a highly-touted prospect out of high school who played in the prestigious Army All-American Game, said he has worked hard since he got to A&M and now prides himself on leading and giving advice to some of the other players on the team.
 “I definitely see myself coaching them up and trying to let them know — you know, I’ve been doing this for three years now — just trying to give them tips here and there about what stuff might look like,” Matthews said. “I definitely see my opportunities to maybe let them know something or say, ‘Hey, you might expect some crazy things to happen when we’re on the road in this game.’ They understand for the most part, but I see my times and moments.”
His leadership is infectious and does not go unnoticed by his teammates. Senior cornerback Brandon Williams said he is the motor to the A&M offense.
“Without him there, it would be a totally different offense,” WIlliams said. “He really is the heart and soul of that offense. He makes sure that the linemen know what they’re doing, he gives whoever is back there at quarterback confidence to know that he has solid protection up front.”
Matthews is also talented offensive lineman. As a three-year starter, he was named a preseason All-American by CFBMatrix.com and was named to the Remington Trophy — an award given annually to the nation’s best interior lineman — watch list before both the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
Senior running back Tra Carson, who rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown last Saturday against South Carolina, certainly recognizes Matthews as an integral part of the offensive success.
“He’s a leader, and everyone looks up to him,” Carson said. “He brings a lot of energy. So as long as he’s clicking, we’re clicking as an offense. He gets those guys going up front, and he’s a great leader for our team.”