While working at the Joliet Blast Furnaces, McClung developed a severe tooth infection, which eventually gave him blood poisoning.
He succumbed to the latter condition on March 3, 1908, at the age of just 39.
McClung's death came before those of his parents and all six of his siblings.
He was replaced just days after his death by W.J. Moore, a chemist who had worked under him at the plant.
Following his death, McClung was memorialized by several of his former teammates and officials.
When "Big Bill" Edwards wrote and published his book Football Days, he included McClung in his tribute to deceased college football players.
He wrote that: "Richard Harding Davis and [McClung] were two Lehigh men whose position in the football world was most prominent.
The esteem in which they are held by their Alma Mater is enduring".
Edwards also praised McClung and Dashiell's refereeing, stating that "Officials come and go.
These men have had their day, but no two ever contributed better work.
The game of Football was safe in their hands".
Paul Dashiell, when interviewed by Edwards' for Football Days, spoke about his relationship with McClung.
He said that:
One friendship was made in these years that has been worth more than words can tell.
I refer to that of Matthew McClung.
To be known as a co-official with McClung was a privilege that only those who knew him can appreciate.
I had known him before at Lehigh in his undergraduate days, and had played on the same teams with him[...] Never was there a squarer sportsman, or a fairer, more conscientious and efficient official; nor a truer, more gallant type of real man than he.
His early death took out of the game a man of the kind we can ill afford to lose and no tribute that I could pay him would be high enough.
While working at the Joliet Blast Furnaces, McClung developed a severe tooth infection, which eventually gave him blood poisoning. He succumbed to the latter condition on March 3, 1908, at the age of just 39. McClung's death came before those of his parents and all six of his siblings. He was replaced just days after his death by W.J. Moore, a chemist who had worked under him at the plant. Following his death, McClung was memorialized by several of his former teammates and officials. When "Big Bill" Edwards wrote and published his book Football Days, he included McClung in his tribute to deceased college football players. He wrote that: "Richard Harding Davis and [McClung] were two Lehigh men whose position in the football world was most prominent. The esteem in which they are held by their Alma Mater is enduring". Edwards also praised McClung and Dashiell's refereeing, stating that "Officials come and go. These men have had their day, but no two ever contributed better work. The game of Football was safe in their hands". Paul Dashiell, when interviewed by Edwards' for Football Days, spoke about his relationship with McClung. He said that:
One friendship was made in these years that has been worth more than words can tell. I refer to that of Matthew McClung. To be known as a co-official with McClung was a privilege that only those who knew him can appreciate. I had known him before at Lehigh in his undergraduate days, and had played on the same teams with him[...] Never was there a squarer sportsman, or a fairer, more conscientious and efficient official; nor a truer, more gallant type of real man than he. His early death took out of the game a man of the kind we can ill afford to lose and no tribute that I could pay him would be high enough.
Matthew McClung