Clay Matthews was hit in the face by a line drive while pitching Saturday in a Packers charity softball game, a frightening moment after which he eventually was described as "fine" but with "a boo-boo on his nose."
NFL.com reports Matthews suffered a broken nose and was taken to a nearby emergency room for a full evaluation.
The linebacker shared on Twitter that he will have surgery on his "busted" nose after the swelling goes down.
Thank you for all the concern and well-wishes. I busted my nose pretty good and will have surgery once the swelling subsides. Thankful as it could have been much more serious 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Clay Matthews III (@ClayMatthews52) June 2, 2018
Matthews fell to the ground after he was hit by the ball off Lucas Patrick's bat and then walked quickly off the field holding his face in his glove. The game was delayed, but the announcer at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton, Wis., initially said the linebacker was doing "fine" shortly after he went to the clubhouse.
Packers LB Clay Matthews takes a liner off the face pitching in the charity softball game at Fox Cities Stadium. Immediately left the field. Hope he's ok @WBAY pic.twitter.com/29aTvXkIc5
— Dave Schroeder (@SchroederWBAY) June 2, 2018
Clay Matthews hit by pitch at charity softball game. Man, I hope he's ok. pic.twitter.com/nRjINunjPY
— FantasyFootballNerd (@ffnerd) June 2, 2018
The game resumed with Davante Adams filling in for Matthews on the mound, and he provided an update while wearing Matthews' jersey.
"I wanted to let everybody know Clay is all right. He's got a little boo-boo on his nose, but he'll be all right. He's a tough guy," Adams told the crowd, per NBC26.
A protective screen was placed in front of the mound after the incident for safety.
Davante Adams comes out of the dugout wearing Clay Matthews’ softball jersey, as the umps explain the new safety measure they’re going to try here for pitchers. Adams is his team’s pitcher. #Packers pic.twitter.com/xCkqEMPW3L
— Kelly Price (@thekellyprice) June 2, 2018
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