Dallas Clark facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Dallas Clark

Clark in 2007
No. 44, 87
Position:	Tight end
Personal information
Born:	(1979-06-12) June 12, 1979 (age 46) Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	252 lb (114 kg)
Career information
High school:	Twin River Valley (Bode, Iowa)
College:	Iowa (1998–2002)
NFL Draft:	2003 / Round: 1 / Pick: 24
Career history
Indianapolis Colts (2003–2011) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012) Baltimore Ravens (2013)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XLI) First-team All-Pro (2009) Pro Bowl (2009) NFL Alumni Tight End of the Year (2009) Sports Illustrated NFL All-Pro Team (2008) Football Digest NFL All-Rookie Team (2003) Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor Unanimous All-American (2002) John Mackey Award (2002) First-team All-Big Ten (2002)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 505 Receiving yards: 5,665 Receiving touchdowns: 53
Player stats at PFR

Dallas Dean Clark (born June 12, 1979) is a former professional football player. He played as a tight end for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Most of his career was with the Indianapolis Colts. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes. There, he was recognized as the best college tight end in the country. The Colts chose him in the first round of the 2003 NFL draft. He helped them win Super Bowl XLI. Clark also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Baltimore Ravens.

Early Life and Sports

Clark was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He grew up in Bode, Iowa, and went to Twin River Valley High School. He was a great athlete in many sports. He played football, basketball, track, and baseball.

In high school football, he was a strong player. As a junior, he was named his team's most valuable player. He made 140 tackles that year. In his senior year, he was again team captain and MVP. He recorded 160 tackles.

College Football Career

Clark went to the University of Iowa. He played for the Iowa Hawkeyes football team from 1999 to 2002. He didn't play in 1999. In 2000, he played on special teams as a linebacker. Before the 2001 season, his coaches moved him to the tight end position.

Becoming a Tight End

In 2001, Clark started 10 games as a tight end. He caught 38 passes for 539 yards and four touchdowns. He also helped on special teams. He was recognized as an honorable mention for the All-Big Ten Conference.

In 2002, Clark received a scholarship. He started all 13 games. He helped Iowa have its first undefeated conference season in 80 years. In a game against Purdue, he had an amazing play. He caught a pass and ran 95 yards for a touchdown. This was one of the longest pass plays in his school's history. Later in that same game, he caught a seven-yard pass with little time left. This gave Iowa a 31–28 win. That year, he had 43 catches for 742 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Clark won the John Mackey Award in 2002. This award goes to the best tight end in college football. He was also named a first-team All-American. He helped Iowa win the Big Ten title. Even though he could have played one more year, Clark decided to enter the NFL Draft in 2003. He finished his college career with 1,281 receiving yards in just two years as a tight end.

Professional Football Career

Indianapolis Colts Years

Clark during a media day for Super Bowl XLIV.

The Indianapolis Colts picked Dallas Clark in the first round of the 2003 NFL draft. He was the 24th player chosen overall. The Colts thought he would be a great fit for their team. In his first year, he started 10 games. He had 340 receiving yards before he broke his leg.

In 2004, he started 15 games. He caught 423 yards and five touchdowns. In 2005, he had 37 catches for 488 yards and four touchdowns. In 2006, he played 11 games before a knee injury. He returned for the playoffs. He played very well, helping the Colts reach the Super Bowl. The Colts won Super Bowl XLI against the Chicago Bears 29–17. Clark caught four passes in that game.

In 2007, Clark had 58 catches for 616 yards. This broke a Colts record for tight ends. In 2008, the Colts signed him to a big six-year contract. This made him one of the highest-paid tight ends in the NFL.

In 2008, Clark broke another Colts record. He had 848 receiving yards in a season for a tight end. In 2009, he had a career-high 183 receiving yards in one game. He also caught 14 passes in another game, which was a personal best. He ended the 2009 season with 100 catches for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was only the second tight end in NFL history to have 100 catches in a season.

In 2010, Clark had wrist surgery. This ended his season early. He finished with 37 catches. In 2011, his wrist still bothered him. He played in 11 games. This was also the first season he played without quarterback Peyton Manning, who was injured. The Colts released Clark in March 2012.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Clark signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in May 2012. He finished that season with 47 catches for 435 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Baltimore Ravens

In August 2013, Clark signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens. He played 12 games. He had 31 catches for 343 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Retirement from Football

On June 18, 2014, Dallas Clark signed a special one-day contract with the Colts. This allowed him to officially retire as a member of the team where he spent most of his career.

NFL Career Statistics

Personal Life

Dallas Clark lives with his wife, Karen, and their three children in Livermore, Iowa. They also have a home in Zionsville, Indiana.

Clark also had a small acting role. He appeared in the TV show Criminal Minds. He played a police officer named Austin Kent in an episode called "The Stranger."