15 Questions For Green Bay's First Round Draft Pick: Clay Matthews Jr.

One of the most socially interesting picks in the first round of the National Football League draft has to be the Green Bay Packers' trading up to take Southern California linebacker Clay Matthews Jr.

The California native and son of is a former NFL linebacker Clay Matthews, who played nineteen seasons for the Cleveland Browns and the Atlanta Falcons.
Matthews’ dramatic rise as a pro-prospect is not only a compelling story even without his bloodlines as a former walk-on at USC, but also has been subjected to criticism and persistent steroid rumors typical with the current era of skepticism surrounding athletes today.

Below are some questions that I would ask Matthews pertaining to his time at USC, being the son of a former NFL player, and how he is adapting to going from the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles to living in the small town of Green Bay, WI:

1. First of all, what have you been told about the winters in Green Bay and how have you adapted to the culture shock that is Titletown USA?

2. You said on The Dan Patrick Radio Show that you’ve never played in a football game during snowy conditions. Do you think that’s something you’d enjoy or when the Packers drafted you did you wince knowing how cold the upper Midwest can be?

3. How has the transition for you been in the offseason training activities to an NFL-style defense specifically with understanding the three to four scheme, under Dom Capers?

4. When a blog/website came out with the alleged steroid use allegations against you, what was your first reaction? Are you still considering taking them to court in a libel suit?

5. You told Dan Patrick that you enjoy hunting and fishing so I imagine you’ll try deer hunting and ice fishing this winter, any thoughts on that?

6. What’s the most influential advice your father has given you throughout your football career?

7. Describe your college recruiting process. Why did you turn down so many division one scholarships to be the fourth person from your family to play at USC?

8. Give me one rock star type story about being a football player at USC.

9. You graduated with a degree in international relations at USC with a 3.06 GPA. What was your career backup option if football didn’t work out?

10. You’re 2,200 miles away from home. What’s the best and worst thing about that for you?

11. Please try and describe the pre-draft experience for the novice fan and does it get frustrating that a lot of it doesn’t seemingly have anything to do with the game of football?

12. Have A.J. Hawk and yourself made a pact to never cut your hair or is that just a coincidence in style?

13. Have you already gone through a rookie hazing process? Do you anticipate that being done during training camp?

14. Describe the pressures of being a fourth-generation athlete at USC and who is or was the best athlete in your family?

15. Would you ever do a photo shoot similar to that of your buddy and former teammate's Mark Sanchez?