Cleveland Browns all-time Mount Rushmore

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 16, 1962: Quarterback Jim Ninowski #15 of the Cleveland Browns turns to fake ahandoff to runningback Jim Brown #32 before turning and throwing a screen pass to runningback Ernie Green during a game on September 16, 1962 against the New York Giants at Municpal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio.19620916-0251962 Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images /

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CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 19: Linebacker Clay Matthews #57 of the Cleveland Browns looks on from the field during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on September 19, 1988 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Colts 23-17. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Browns Mount Rushmore: LB Clay Matthews Jr.

The Cleveland Browns have 16 “primary members” in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That includes legendary Paul Brown, with the organization from the start in 1946. But it’s interesting to note that of the 15 players and tried in Canton there is not one whose primary focus during their career was on the defensive side of the football. Pro Football Hall of Famers Len Ford, Mike McCormack and Bill Willis all saw action with the team on both offense and defense.

Linebacker Clay Matthews Jr. is not enshrined in Canton, although you will get many arguments that he belongs there. The brother of 14-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews spent 16 seasons with the club that made him the 12th-overall pick in the 1978 draft.

During his stay with the club, Matthews played in a total of 232 regular-season contests. There were 14 interceptions, 13 fumble recoveries and unofficially 76.5 sacks (because the individual stat did not become official until 1982).

Matthews finished with 100-plus tackles eight times and was named to the Pro Bowl on four occasions. He would go onto play three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons but he was a steady force in Cleveland.

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