Desmond Clark facts for kids
Clark with the Bears in 2008
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| Position: | Tight end | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | April 20, 1977 Bartow, Florida, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 249 lb (113 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Kathleen (Lakeland, Florida) | ||||||
| College: | Wake Forest | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1999 / Round: 6 / Pick: 179 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||
Desmond Darice Clark, born on April 20, 1977, is a former American professional football player. He played as a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). Clark played college football for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. The Denver Broncos chose him in the sixth round of the 1999 NFL draft. He also played for the Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears.
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Early Life and High School Sports
Desmond Clark went to Kathleen High School in Lakeland, Florida. There, he was a talented football player. He played in many different positions. These included quarterback, free safety, and return specialist. Clark also helped out as the holder for Paul Edinger, who later became a place kicker for the Chicago Bears. Besides football, Clark was also active in other sports. He played both basketball and baseball during his high school years.
College Football Career
Clark attended Wake Forest University for his college studies. He played as a wide receiver for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team. During his time there, he caught at least one pass against every team he faced in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Clark was recognized as a second-team All-ACC player twice. He was also named the team's Most Valuable Player (MVP) two times. By the end of his college career, Clark had set a record. He became the ACC's all-time leading receiver. He finished with 216 receptions for 2,834 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Professional Football Journey
Starting with the Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos picked Desmond Clark in the sixth round of the 1999 NFL draft. When he joined the Broncos, he changed his position to tight end. He played with the Broncos for three seasons. In 2002, the team released him during the preseason. Clark was dealing with an arm injury at the time.
Time with the Miami Dolphins
After leaving the Broncos, Clark was signed by the Miami Dolphins. He played with the Dolphins for one season in 2002.
Years with the Chicago Bears
In 2003, Desmond Clark joined the Chicago Bears. He quickly became an important player for the team. In 2005, he was chosen as a Pro Bowl alternate, which means he was a backup choice for the All-Star game.
The 2006 season was a big one for Clark and the Bears. He helped the team win the NFC Championship. This win earned them a trip to Super Bowl XLI. During that regular season, Clark had 45 catches for 626 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
In 2008, the Bears gave Clark a two-year contract extension. That season, he caught 41 passes for 367 yards and one touchdown. As fellow tight end Greg Olsen became more prominent, Clark's role shifted. He became the second tight end on the team's depth chart.
During the 2009 season, Clark suffered a back injury. This happened in the first game against the Green Bay Packers. He missed five starts because of it. In that shortened season, he had 19 receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
In 2010, Mike Martz became the Bears' new offensive coordinator. Clark's playing time began to decrease. He spent most of his time on the team's inactive list. He recorded only one catch for 12 yards that season. The Bears won the NFC North division. However, they lost the NFC Championship game to the Green Bay Packers. After the season, Clark's contract was ending. He was unsure if the team would offer him a new one.
Clark did re-sign with the Bears on August 2, 2011. But he was later released on September 3, 2011. When his time with the Bears ended, Clark ranked second all-time in tight end receptions for the team. He had 242 catches, only behind Hall of Famer Mike Ditka.
Retirement from Football
Desmond Clark officially retired from football in September 2012. He later wrote a letter to the Bears. In it, he stated his intention to never play again. This made his retirement official.
88 Wayz Youth Organization
Desmond Clark started a non-profit school program called 88 Wayz in 2008. This program offers a free mentor and leadership program. It helps young people in the Polk County, Florida, and Chicago areas. 88 Wayz aims to help youth achieve their dreams. It also helps them reach their full potential. The program does this by mentoring, motivating, and building confidence. This helps young people become productive adults.
88 Wayz uses a special mentoring approach called T.A.L.K.S. Mentoring. This method focuses on developing leadership skills. It involves interactions between peers and between youth and adults. As of 2025, 88 Wayz delivers its program in 12 schools. The organization is based in Lakeland, Florida.
Life After Football
After retiring from playing, Desmond Clark became a broadcaster. He also co-hosted the Dez Clark & Alex Brown Show with former teammate Alex Brown. As of July 2025, Clark is a financial adviser for Wayne Messmer & Associates. He also serves as the President of the NFL Alumni, Chicago Chapter.
