HOUSTON — The father had to wait until his 17th NFL season to make it to a Super Bowl.
The son, playing in only his third NFL season, will start at left tackle for the Falcons when they play the Patriots in Super Bowl LI on Sunday at NRG Stadium.
The father, Bruce Matthews, played 19 NFL seasons on the offensive line, went to a record 14 Pro Bowls with the Oilers and Titans, and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
But in his one Super Bowl appearance, which took place 17 years ago, his team ended up inches short of possible victory when Titans receiver Kevin Dyson was tackled by the Rams’ Mike Jones shy of the goal line on the final play of a 23-16 St. Louis win.
The son, Jake Matthews, the sixth overall pick by the Falcons in the 2014 draft, still thinks about that game — though he was just a 7-year-old when it took place.
“It was such a letdown to know they came up short,’’ Jake Matthews said. “But you know what? It’s my turn now. Let’s make a good memory out of this Super Bowl.’’
Though the biggest gJakeame of his life is still four days away, this week already has had a touch of magic to it for Jake, who grew up in Houston, and the Matthews family.
“I’m more excited to see him make it than I was when I made it,’’ Bruce Matthews said. “It doesn’t matter what year you make it, because it’s so timeless. But in so many ways, I’m thankful he’s gotten it out of the way. Hopefully, there’ll be multiple [Super Bowls] for Jake, but you can’t count on it.’’
Because of his father’s experience, Jake is not one of those twentysomethings who don’t know any better and take an experience like this for granted.
“As I sit here now and think about it, it is pretty special — all the games my dad played and all the coaches he went through for 17 years to make it to this game — and I’ve been very fortunate to make it in my third year,’’ Jake said. “So I’ve got to take advantage of this opportunity, because I’ve got living proof that this doesn’t come easy.’’
Part of what has made Jake successful — other than the great genes he inherited — is he embraced being the son of an NFL great, rather than running from it.
“I take a ton of pride in it,’’ he said. “Playing on the pee wee teams I’d hear, ‘Oh hey, that’s [Bruce] Matthews’ kid, you’ve got to expect a little something more from him.’ There is a respect that comes with it, and at the same time it’s a lot to live up to.’’
This incredible story is not about only a father and a son, but an entire football family that has made itself a part of NFL history. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Matthews are just the third family to have had three generations of NFL players, with a record seven Matthews family members having played in the NFL.
The Matthews family, beginning with Jake’s grandfather, Clay Jr., have played a combined 59 seasons and 1,273 regular-season games, combining for 24 Pro Bowls.
Jake’s uncle, Clay, played in the league when Bruce did. Like their fathers, Jake and Clay Matthews III, a linebacker for the Packers, are in the midst of overlapping careers. In fact, Jake’s Falcons beat Clay’s Packers in the NFC Championship to get to this week.
As the final seconds bled off the clock in Atlanta, Bruce Matthews turned to his wife, Carrie, in the stands and said, “Can you believe Jake’s going to the Super Bowl?’’
“It’s like one of those things that happens to other people,’’ he said. “The fact that it’s our little boy, it’s pretty darn cool.’’
After the game, the father gave his son a big hug on the field, congratulated him and told him: “Pretty cool being able to knock off Clay and make it to the Super Bowl.’’
Jake said his cousin “really didn’t have too much to say’’ after the NFC title game, adding, “He just congratulated me and wished me good luck in the Super Bowl.’’
For all the football the Matthews family has played all these years, Clay Matthews III is the only one who has a Super Bowl ring, from the 2010 season when the Packers won it all.
As Jake Matthews said, now it’s his turn.
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