Clay Matthews could definitely steal my girlfriend and probably yours too, bud. Upon scheduling this interview, my girlfriend did a quick Google search to put a face with the name.

As images of “The Clay Maker” flipped across her iPhone, she said, “Wow. This guy is a complete stud.” The accompanying far away look in her eyes told me all I needed to know; that if given the chance, she would shed me the way Matthews sheds opposing double teams.

Aside from getting the ladies flustered off the field, Matthews has established himself as the best pass rusher in the NFL, thanks to a successful start to his career that rivals any linebacker in NFL history.

In five seasons, Matthews has made the Pro Bowl four times, been selected as an All-Pro twice, been named NFC Defensive Player of the Year in 2010 and won Super Bowl XLV.

I was fortunate to speak with Clay about his career, his lineage and the Campbell’s Chunky “Sacks for Soup” campaign.

Talk about the partnership with Campbell’s Chunky Soup.

For the past year I teamed up with Campbell’s Chunky and created the “Sacks for Soup” campaign. For every sack that I was able to get last year, Campbell’s Chunky donated 2,000 cans of soup; 1,000 to a local Green Bay food bank and another 1,000 to the opposing team’s city. To date, we’ve donated over 40,000 cans of Chunky soup. For every sack, they also donated $1,000, so we were able to get around up to $20,000 for my foundation (CM3 Charitable Fund), so it’s been a fantastic campaign; one that not only provides for myself, but gives back in the process of doing so.

What’s your favorite kind?

My favorite kind thanks to the Green Bay weather and obviously a play on the Packers is the Hearty Cheeseburger. They’re all fantastic, so it’s hard to choose, but just like on the commercial, I like the Clam Chowder and the Spicy Quesadilla as well. They’re all really good, so I have to say all three.

I thought they’d make you a special kind called “Bear Chunks” for the way you’ve annihilated Chicago Bears quarterbacks in your career.

I’m willing to try! I don’t know if it would be a big seller, but I’d be all for it.

Click here for the full interview.

When talking to the Seattle media over the weekend, referee Bill Leavy did his best Jim Joyce impersonation by admitting his mistakes in the Steelers-Seahawks 2006 Super Bowl.

From ESPN.com:

Leavy told Seattle-area media Friday night that he “kicked two calls in the fourth quarter and I impacted the game.” He said he will “go to my grave wishing I’d been better.”

Leavy’s comments apparently inspired Steelers’ offensive tackle Max Starks to be an ass:

“He should go ahead and retire if he feels so bad about it,” Starks said Saturday, according to the McKeesport (Pa.) Daily News. “Just do us all a favor and not referee anymore.”

At least one Seahawk appreciated Leavy’s omission:

“I had a word with him and told him I really appreciated it,” said defensive tackle Craig Terrill, a backup on that Super Bowl team. “I certainly don’t have any hard feelings against him. There were plenty of things we did in that game that kept us from winning. He can’t take responsibility for the mistakes we made, but I appreciated it.”

And at least one thought it was a tad too late:

“To his credit he came out and did admit his faults, but it doesn’t make me feel any better,” Babineaux said, according to the Seattle Times. “You can’t turn back the hands of time.

“I don’t even wear my NFC championship ring. I appreciate it and I think we had a memorable season for the franchise, but I don’t wear it because in my mind that season didn’t end the way it was supposed to.”

Many people believe that Super Bowl was rigged – perhaps for Jerome Bettis, who retired following the victory in his home city of Detroit. But personally, I don’t buy into conspiracy theories and think it’s downright ridiculous for people to believe that it would be that easy to not only rig a Super Bowl, but to keep everyone involved quiet afterwards. Money would be the only way people would be motivated enough to rig something that big and I highly doubt someone would pay enough to pull off a heist like that. And for what? So that Jerome Bettis would win a Super Bowl in his home city? Come on – we’re talking about a major conspiracy here.

I think Leavy and his crew just flat out blew the calls and it obviously helped the Steelers win. Would the Seahawks have won had the calls been officiated correctly? I don’t know – maybe, although you can’t say for sure either way.

Whatever – it’s over. I tend to side with Babineaux in that Leavy should have said something right away, instead of waiting. It kind of takes the sincerity out of the omission if you wait four years to say it.

Ask any defender that has tried to tackle Jerome Bettis and we’re sure each and every one of them has their own horrifying tale. The 250-pound running back rushed for 13,662 yards and 94 touchdowns in his successful career, while also racking up six Pro Bowl appearances and claiming the 1993 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, the 1996 NFL Comeback Player of the Year and the 2001 Walter Payton Man of the Year awards. Did we mention he also won a Super Bowl?

“The Bus” has teamed up with DiGiorno for their “You Bettis Believe” sweepstakes, which runs through February 12th and will award one lucky winner (along with 10 of his or her friends) a chance to win a fantasy football draft party hosted by DiGiorno and Jerome. The winner and his group will be heading to Las Vegas in August for the draft and of course, the chance to meet Jerome Bettis. All you have to do to sign up is visit Facebook.com/Digiorno for a chance to win.

Along with providing more details on the “You Bettis Believe” sweepstakes, Jerome was more than happy to talk a little football with us. We asked him what his most memorable moment was from the Steelers’ run to the Super Bowl in 2005, what was the hardest hit he ever laid on a defender and what he thinks it’ll take for the Steelers to get back in title contention. He also filled us in on where Bill Cowher may wind up when he decides to start coaching again.

The Scores Report: Hey Jerome, how are you this is Anthony.

Jerome Bettis: How you doing, Anthony?

TSR: Real good, I appreciate your joining me today.

JB: Oh, not a problem.

TSR: Talk to me a little bit about this DiGiorno’s sweepstakes that you’re a part of. This fantasy football draft in Vegas sounds like a great time.

JB: The sweepstakes is called “You Bettis Believe” and all you have to do is go to Facebook.com/DiGiorno and register to win the fantasy football draft party in Las Vegas. You get the opportunity to go out to Vegas and have a fantasy football draft with me. We’ll talk football, pizza; it’s the best sweepstakes you could ever win. The 12th of February is the last day you can enter so make sure you go to Facebook.com/DiGiorno to sign up.

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