"PACKER POISED FOR FREE AGENT PURSUITS

[texaspackerbacker]

Bruce Matthews - Clay's uncle - is another. His brother, Clay Jr. also played to 40 or so, I think, as a LB. You get a few freaks of nature at just about every position who last extra long. Luck has more to do with it than anything else, as even a lot of extremely well conditioned players get hurt bad enough to kill their career or at least greatly diminish their ability.

[bobblehead]

Bruce Matthews - Clay's uncle - is another. His brother, Clay Jr. also played to 40 or so, I think, as a LB. You get a few freaks of nature at just about every position who last extra long. Luck has more to do with it than anything else, as even a lot of extremely well conditioned players get hurt bad enough to kill their career or at least greatly diminish their ability.

Julius Peppers seems to be as well. There are always outliers, but 40 seems to be a magic number for players outside the 3 positions.