"It's a good thing Clay Matthews doesn't have male-pattern baldness.

If he did, the run-up to Super Bowl XLV would be all about hum-drum football stuff, such as sacks and quarterback hits.

Instead, get ready for a blitz - pardon the pun - of hair stories.

Matthews, the all-pro outside linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, has joined Pittsburgh Steelers' safety Troy Polamalu in an exclusive club: Super Bowl participants with shampoo contracts.

Matthews has signed a one-year deal with Unilever's Suave brand. The deal includes media appearances before and after the Super Bowl and a production day should the company want to film a commercial with him. Contract terms were not disclosed.

Polamalu's hair is sponsored, and reportedly insured for $1 million, by Head & Shoulders.

Matthews and Polamalu both played at USC.

A hair scouting report would give Polamalu the edge in experience - he's already appeared in television spots for Head & Shoulders - and an advantage in thickness. Matthews gets style points for the way he tosses his long blond tresses when he removes his helmet.

Matthews' marketing agent, Ryan Williams of Athletes First, told CNBC, "The idea behind Suave is that men need different products than women. Clay really wanted to do a deal like this.""