Dallas Clark

Dallas Dean Clark (born June 12, 1979) is an American former professional football tight end. He played a total of 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Baltimore Ravens. He played college football for the University of Iowa. He was drafted 24th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft, and played his entire nine-year professional career for the Colts.  He has been called a "hybrid" tight end due to his rare ability to play both the wide receiver and tight end positions well. However, injuries have made his career more difficult.

College Career
Clark played college football for the University of Iowa. Clark played for the Hawkeyes from 1999 through 2002. Clark was a first-team All-Big Ten selection, a first-team All-American, a John Mackey Award winner (2002, is given to the best tight end in college football. He won the Kenny Yana Award at the end of the 2002 season as well, as he helped lead Iowa to the Big Ten title and 11-2 record.

Professional Career
Indianapolis Colts
Clark was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL in the 1st round (24th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. In Indianapolis, Clark wore #44. As a rookie, Clark started 10 games and had 340 receiving yards before his season ended with an injury. Clark continued his solid production over the next couple years, and in 2004 had an 80 yard touchdown, which is extremely rare for a tight end.

In 2006, Clark earned a Super Bowl ring when the Colts beat the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. That season, Clark had 30 catches for 367 yards and four touchdowns.

Clark had his best statistical season yet in 2007, with 58 catches, 616 yards, and 11 scores. Clark followed that up with 848 yards and six scores in the 2008 season.

2009 was Clark's best year. He had another 80 yard score, 100 catches, 1,106 yards, and 10 touchdowns and helped the Colts to another Super Bowl appearance.

Clark mist all but 6 games in 2010 because of anothe injury. This one was suffered against the Washington Redskins. Clark had 37 catches, 347 yards, and 3 scores in 2010 before the injury. Clark also suffered from injuries in 2011, with 34 catches, 352 yards, and two touchdowns before injury.

After a horrible 2011 season, the Colts were in a rebuilding mode. As well as releasing the legendary Peyton Manning, the team also released Clark on March 10, 2012.

On June 18, 2014, Clark signed a one-day contract with the Colts and announced that he was retiring from playing professional football.

Personal
Clark and his wife, Karen, live with their son, Dane, in Livermore, Iowa, USA and Zionsville, Indiana.
 Clark is a fan of the New York Mets.

References

Other websites
  Hawkeyes bio 
 Colts bio 
 Dallas Clark cut by Colts 

Category:1979 births
Category:Living people
Category:American football tight ends
Category:Indianapolis Colts players
Category:People from Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Category:Football players from South Dakota
Category:Baltimore Ravens players
Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players