Clay Matthews had people doing a double take after fresh photos made the former Green Bay Packers star look nearly unrecognizable.
The 40-year-old linebacker still had his long hair pulled back in a bun, but just about everything else about the look was different. Matthews was out getting coffee and groceries in an all-dark-green outfit, and his huge frame stood out as he carried bags back to his car. The sight naturally sparked plenty of questions, including whether he had gone through cosmetic work.
Matthews addressed the buzz soon after on TMZ Live, and he made it clear the transformation was all part of a campaign. He said the look came from prosthetics, not surgery, and explained that Caesars Sportsbook put it together to fit the current “looksmaxxing” craze.
He said he spent about four hours in a chair while professionals worked on his appearance, and the experience gave him a new respect for Hollywood stars who sit through those long makeup sessions. When asked about the speculation, Matthews kept it simple: “That would be Caesars Sportsbook,” he said.
The reaction to the photos included comparisons to the cartoon character Crimson Chin, though Matthews looked far more like himself when he showed up on TMZ Live to talk through the stunt.
Even with the altered look, Matthews’ football résumé still speaks for itself. He finished his career with 519 tackles, 200 quarterback hits, 91.5 sacks, and 17 forced fumbles. He spent the bulk of his playing days in Green Bay, made six Pro Bowls, and won a Super Bowl with the Packers before retiring after the 2019 season.
Now Matthews is back around the game in a different role. Netflix added him to its NFL broadcast crew this season, and fans will see him when the platform streams the 49ers-Rams game live from Melbourne.
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Clay Matthews Just Gave Packers Fans A Wild New Look
Clay Matthews has never been a stranger to attention in Green Bay, but his latest post leaned all the way into the joke. The former Packers pass rusher shared an AI-generated image of an exaggerated, cartoonishly muscular version of himself, a piece of sponsored content TMZ created through a paid partnership, and Matthews matched the tone by posting it on X with the caption "Gigaclay."
It was a lighthearted detour for a player whose name still carries plenty of weight with Packers fans, even years after his playing career ended. Matthews is also set for a new chapter as an NFL studio analyst on Netflix, while the leagues international spotlight keeps moving with the Rams and 49ers headed to Melbourne, but for one viral moment the focus was simply on an over-the-top version of a familiar face. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Practice Squad Move Hints At A Bigger Offensive Plan
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What makes the addition noteworthy is how well he matches the direction Green Bay appears to be leaning. Bankston fits the teams outside zone-based approach, a detail that suggests the Packers are not just filling space at the end of the roster, but quietly shaping the depth chart around a specific offensive identity as they sort through the next phase of the offense. [Read more 🡒]