The ties between Clay Matthews III and his father, Clay Matthews Jr., run deep.

The elder Matthews was a star linebacker at the University of Southern California before getting drafted in the first round by the Cleveland Browns in 1978. His son made a name for himself as a hybrid defensive end-linebacker for the Trojans and became a 2009 first-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers.

As far back as he can remember, Clay III has always wanted to be like his father.

So when Clay III was asked what his father and Fathers Day means to him, the 23-year-old rookie paused for a moment before answering.Clay Matthews III

I wouldnt be in the position Im in today if it werent for him and his background, and what he brought to the table, Clay III said. But more so than me trying to emulate his career, I think the father figure he was also put me in this position. Just like him, Im a very humble guy. I just like to come in here, do my job and go home. You wont hear about me getting into trouble or doing anything thats wrong. Ive got great values, morals and beliefs, and I think that ultimately comes from my parents.

Clay III comes from a family rich in football tradition. Not only was his father a 19-year NFL veteran and four-time Pro Bowler, but his uncle, Bruce Matthews, is a Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive lineman who played 19 years in the league for the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans. In addition, Clay IIIs grandfather, Clay Matthews Sr., played four seasons in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1950s.

Naturally, football played a big role in bringing the Matthews family together. Along with his sister and three brothers, Clay III vividly remembers running onto the field after dads games and going into the locker room to get autographs. In high school, Clay III played football at Agoura (Calif.), where his father coached the defense.

Despite his father being in charge of who played on defense, Clay III had to earn playing time, which wasnt easy for an undersized teenager trying to play linebacker. By his senior season, he became a starter, but a bright future in football beyond high school never appeared likely. When it came time to choose a college, Clay III wanted to go to USC to play football like his father, uncle (Bruce), grandfather and older brother, Kyle, had done before him. But except for a few I-AA division schools, no major football program, including USC, was willing to offer him a scholarship.

Ultimately, Clay III followed his heart and set out to prove his doubters wrong.

I chose USC honestly because of the family tradition, said Clay III, who walked on to the team in 2004. To be quite honest, I didnt know if a professional career in football was going to be for me, but I worked hard and knew I would at least get a great education.

Through determination and many hours spent in the weight room, Clay III worked his way onto the field, eventually earning a scholarship in 2006 and winning the teams Co-Special Teams Player of the Year award that same season. An intense weight training program during the 2008 offseason saw Clay III earn USCs Co-Lifter of the Year award, paving the way for a starting role on the Trojans defensive unit.

In his senior year, Clay III shined as a starter for the teams final 10 contests while shifting between defensive end and linebacker during the course of games, and was named USCs Co-Special Teams Player of the Year for the third straight season. He also finished the season ranked fourth on the squad with 56 tackles and had 4.5 sacks to go with nine stops for losses.

Clay Matthews IIIBy the end of his college career, Clay III had made a big impression on NFL scouts by epitomizing the same traits his father played with during his football careerwork ethic, aggressiveness and accountability.

Now, the toughest challenge for Clay III will be trying to live up to the hype surrounding his football pedigree and the pressure of being a first-round pick. The Packers, who traded up in the draft to acquire the 6-foot-3, 245-pound playmaker, certainly have confidence in him. So does Clay III think he can handle the high expectations?

Yes, of course. Everyones got high expectations of you, but I dont think theyre any greater than the expectations I have for myself, Clay III said. I expect to be a great football playerone that plays like a first-round pick. Im looking to contribute in many ways, have a ball and have a successful career. I wouldnt say its the pressure of a family name and first-round pick, but instead, just wanting to be the best.

As important as football has been to Clay III and his family over the years, its not what will define them. In fact, Clay IIIs father has never let football consume their relationship. To this day, the two spend a lot of time with one another doing things that have nothing to do with the sport.

Hes been a very integral part of my life and not just through football, but hes also my best friend and we can do anything together, Clay III said of his father. Whether it is watching a movie, going fishing, working on our carswe can do everything together.

Growing up in the Matthews household was a lot of fun for Clay III, but the focus was always on spending time together as a family, especially when holidays such as Fathers Day came around.

Well take him out to dinner for Fathers Day, give him a couple gifts, but for the most part just the fact that he has his family around him is important, Clay III said. Nothing too extremejust to have one day thats all about him.

This year, the Matthews family will celebrate Fathers Day in Green Bay. The Packers are holding a mandatory three-day mini-camp beginning Monday morning, but fortunately for Clay III, the team offered to fly all the rookies parents into Green Bay for the holiday.

My parents are flying in Sunday and leaving Thursday mid-day so well get to spend some time together for Fathers Day, Clay III said. Theyll also get to see some practices and see how things look in Green Bay.

Having coached Clay III in high school and being only a short drive from USC, Clay Jr. has grown accustomed to watching his sons football practices and giving advice where he saw fit. Although Clay III now will be playing much further away in Green Bay, it likely wont prevent dad from continuing to give his son both fatherly and on-the-field advice.

He loved coming down to SC practices as much as he could, Clay III said. When he got some days off from coaching at the local high school, hed come down and talk to me after practice. In fact, hed be there sometimes when we were doing one-on-one pass rushes, and hed give me pointers. He was very much a part of my career and my life, and will continue to be.