:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55858519/usa_today_8829986.0.jpg)
An athlete’s family tree not only makes for a great story on draft day, but can serve as an intangible tool when evaluating players for their football IQ.
A dominant NFL family tree in recent years has been the house of Watt. With three former Wisconsin Badgers and current NFL players - Houston Texans Defensive Player of the Year J.J., Los Angeles Chargers fullback Derek, and Pittsburgh Steelers 2017 first round pick T.J. - the Watt family could be on its way to leaving behind a strong legacy, not only right now but for generations to come.
The Green Bay Packers have had a member of a historically successful NFL family since Clay Matthews III joined the team in 2009. Matthews instantly became a notable NFL icon for the family bloodlines he could trace all the way back to his grandfather. The storylines behind the Matthews family make it a tough one to top in terms of NFL pedigree, especially with the family members who have turned pro since Clay.
But for Green Bay, Matthews is not the only player with family ties to the professional football ranks of the National and Canadian Football Leagues. Below are those members of the 2017 roster continuing on a football legacy.
Packers Bloodlines
| Name | Family Ties |
|---|---|
| Name | Family Ties |
| Martellus Bennett | Brother Michael is a current defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks |
| David Bakhtiari | Oldest brother Eric played linebacker for the Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers |
| Donatello Brown | Nephew is current Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown |
| Randall Cobb | Cousin Shannon Mitchell played tight end for San Diego Chargers; Cousin Billy Mitchell was drafted in the seventh round by the Arizona Cardinals |
| Mike Daniels | Brother Sean recently played defensive line for the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
| Trevor Davis | Second cousin is former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, and Minnesota Vikings |
| Thomas Evans | Grandfather Frank Lasky played two seasons for the New York Giants. |
| Demetri Goodson | Older brother Mike was a running back for the New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, and Carolina Panthers; half-brother Jakar Hamilton played safety for the Dallas Cowboys |
| Letroy Guion | Cousin of former Packers linebacker Sam Barrington |
| Josh Letuligasenoa | Uncle Alameda Ta'amu spent time at defensive tackle with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Buffalo Bills |
| Clay Matthews | Father Clay Jr. played linebacker for the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons; Grandfather Clay Sr. played defensive end with the San Francisco 49ers; Younger brother Casey was a fourth round linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles; Uncle Bruce was a Hall of Famer offensive lineman with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans; Cousin Kevin played center for the Titans and Washington Redskins; Cousin Jake is a current offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons |
| Max McCaffrey | Brother Christian is a current running back for the Carolina Panthers; father Ed was a wide receiver for the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and Denver Broncos |
| Justin McCray | Brother Jordan had stints at guard with the Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and Carolina Panthers |
| Kyle Murphy | Brother Kevin played offensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings |
| Lenzy Pipkins | Cousin C.J. Wilson played cornerback for the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys |
| Brian Price | Grandfather Tom Bloom was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round in 1963 |
| Aaron Rodgers | Brother Jordan spent time as a quarterback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Richard Rodgers | Father Richard Sr. played defensive back in the Arena Football League and NFL Europe and currently is an assistant coach for the Panthers; Cousin Jairus Byrd played safety for the Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints; Uncle Gill Byrd was an assistant coach for the Buccaneers and an executive for the Packers |
| Quinten Rollins | Great uncle Mike Wilson played offensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals and Seattle Seahawks |
| Jake Ryan | Grandfather Francis Sweeney played defensive tackle for the Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| Joe Thomas | Cousin Troy Brown was a three-time Super Bowl champion wide receiver for the New England Patriots |
| Justin Vogel | Father Paul played linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Oilers |