Jake Matthews Father: Bruce Matthews [2023 Update]

The NFL star Jake Matthews’ father is Bruce Matthews, a retired NFL player-turned-coach. Bruce, who was highly versatile during his playing days, had a stand-out in positions like guard, center, offensive tackle, and long snapper.

Mr. Matthews dedicated his 19 seasons career to the Tennesse Titans (then Houston Oilers/Tennessee Oilers) before retirement (1983-2001).

Enthusiasm for an American football career is in the genes of the Matthews family- it began even before Bruce himself, whose father Clay Sr. played in NFL too.

The generational football career is now carried up by Bruce’s son Jake Matthews, who signed a 3-year extension with Atlanta Falcons during the 2022 season.

He records the highest number of NFL games than any other linesman and third-most of all time behind quarterbacks Brett Favre and Tom Brady. In fact, he never missed any of the 229 games due to injury.

Moreover, Bruce is the only player who participated in the Baltimore Ravens’ final game at Memorial Stadium in 1997 and the Baltimore Colts’ last game in 1983.

After his NFL playing career, Matthews became an offensive assistant coach at Houston Texans and later an offensive line coach at Tennessee Titans.

In addition to a fabulous career, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has a beautiful family. He is father of seven- among them, his son Jake has a remarkable NFL career.

Moreover, his other family members are in NFL; Bruce is the brother of linebacker Clay Matthews Jr. In addition, he is the uncle of linebackers Clay Matthews III and Casey Matthews.

Want to know more about Bruce Matthews? Read the article to learn everything about the retired NFL star.

Jake Matthews’ Father | Quick Facts

Bruce Matthews (Jake Mathews’ Father) | Early Life & Family Members

Bruce Matthews was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, on August 8, 1961. His full name is Bruce Rankin Matthews.

Being the youngest of five children to Clay Matthews Sr. and Daisy Matthews, he grew up in a family showered with love and affection. His older sister’s name is Christie, the eldest of them.

Reportedly, his twin brothers: Bradley (who died in 2003) and Raymond, were developmentally disabled. On the other, Bruce and his older brother Clay Matthews Jr. played at USC Trojans during their collegiate career.

In an interview with Vault SI in 1990, Bruce Matthews said that his twin brothers were very supportive of him, and if the situation were to be different, then ‘the four Matthews brothers would be playing in the NFL.’

Even though Bruce’s mother, Daisy, passed away following his first season in 1984, he owes a lot to the love and encouragement she provided for him and his siblings as they grew up. 

Bruce has an older sister, Christie, and twin brothers, Brad and Raymond. He also has another older brother named Cleveland Brown, a.k.a Clay. 

Clay is five years older than Bruce. When Bruce was small, he viewed Clay as his inspiration and wanted to be like him. Clay undoubtedly was and is still Bruce’s all-time favorite player.

Schooling & Early Career

When he was a small child, his family relocated to Arcadia, California. At Arcadia High School in Arcadia, California, Bruce participated in football.

Moreover, Bruce excelled in high school wrestling and became an early offensive and defensive line standout in football.

As a result, in 1977, while he was a junior, the player got selected for the third team of the All-California Interscholastic Federation.

Similarly, as a senior, Matthews participated in the Shrine All-Star Football Classic alongside John Elway. His number #72 jersey was later retired by Arcadia High.