Green Bay Packers Clay Mathews takes line drive to face

Softball can be a rough game for anyone. Just ask Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews, who took a line drive off the face in a charity outing.

One would imagine that Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews would be used to hard hits. The third generation linebacker has been a star in Green Bay, a six time Pro Bowler who has amassed 80 sacks in his nine year career. Even though he has missed time due to injuries over the years, Matthews still mans the linebacker position with ferocity, making him the best defensive player on the Packers.

However, during a charity softball game on Saturday, it was Matthews who was hit. While pitching in the third inning of the contest, offensive lineman Lucas Patrick hit a line drive up the middle, hitting Mathews in the face with enough force to knock him down. He bounced back quickly, and walked off the field with his glove over his face.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

Matthews was taken to a local hospital, with the presumption that he had suffered a broken nose. Understandably, the Packers were not about to take any chances, making sure that a full checkup was done. After a 30 minute delay following the incident, the game resumed, with wide receiver Davante Adams throwing from behind a batting practice screen.

Green Bay could ill afford to lose Matthews should his injury prove to be more severe than a broken nose. As it was, he was not participating in the Packers’ OTA’s this offseason, as he is still coming back from a knee injury suffered last season. The Packers also did not address Matthews’ position as an edge rusher during the draft, making his continued health all the more important for their success next year.

This also goes to show the speed at which a ball can come back to the mound. We see a similar play every night, with a line drive hit up the middle, just to the side of the pitcher. Sometimes, that ball is hit right back at him, with an uncanny ability to dodge or to instinctually get the glove to the right spot the difference between safety and a disaster. And yet, even major league pitchers are not always successful in getting out of the way. Just ask Bryce Florie, Jordan Zimmermann, or Robbie Ray.

Next: A look at the 3000 hit club

For now, Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews should be fine, with an unexpected momento from his charity game.