Gary Clark

This article is about the American footballer. For other uses, see Gary Clark (disambiguation).

Gary Clark

No. 84

Position:

Wide receiver

Personal information

Date of birth:

May 1, 1962

Place of birth:

Radford, Virginia

Height:

5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)

Weight:

175 lb (79 kg)

Career information

High school:

Dublin (VA) Pulaski Co.

College:

James Madison

Supplemental draft:

1984 / Round: 2

Career history

Career highlights and awards

Career NFL statistics

Games played:	167
Receptions:	699
Receiving yards:	10,856
Receiving average:	15.5
Touchdowns:	65
Player stats at NFL.com

Player stats at PFR

Gary C. Clark (born May 1, 1962) is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) who played for the Washington Redskins (1985–92), Phoenix Cardinals (1993–94) and Miami Dolphins (1995).

Early life

Clark attended and played high school football at Pulaski County High School in Dublin, Virginia.

College career

Clark played college football at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where he caught 155 passes for 2,863 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also had three punt returns for touchdowns, including 89- and 87-yard returns in a game during the 1983 season against the University of Virginia. Clark was at James Madison during the Dukes' first four Division I-AA seasons. He caught 46 passes for James Madison's 8-3 team in 1982 and had 57 receptions in 1983. He was the Virginia offensive player of the year in 1982 and an honorable mention All-American in 1982 and 1983.

Clark became the first person in James Madison history to have his jersey retired.

Professional career

USFL

After college, Clark played for the Jacksonville Bulls of the United States Football League after being picked in the United States Football League draft. He played for the Bulls in 1984 and 1985.

NFL

Clark was selected by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL Players.

In 1985, he signed with the Redskins and had a superb rookie season, recording 72 receptions for 926 yards and five touchdowns. Clark quickly established himself as one of the top receivers in the NFL. He followed up his superb rookie season in 1986 with a Pro Bowl year catching 74 passes for 1,265 yards and seven touchdowns. Clark set a Redskin record for receiving yards in a game during a Monday Night Football contest with the New York Giants. He caught 11 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown. The record still stands today as the "most receiving yards in a non-strike game" (Anthony Allen surpassed Clark's tally during the 1987 strike season). The Redskins went on to finish 12-4 and defeated the reigning Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears, 27-13, in a divisional playoff game but lost to the Giants in the NFC Championship game, 17-0.

In 1987, Clark again had a Pro Bowl year, catching 56 passes for 1,066 and seven touchdowns. He achieved these numbers in only 11 games, as a player strike shortened the season by one game and replacements played three games. No Redskin player crossed the picket line and the replacements went 3-0. Clark was only one of four NFL receivers to surpass 1,000 yards. By this time, he had caught the eye of CBS commentator John Madden. Clark's toughness, big-play ability and willingness to block made him a regular on the All Madden Team during his playing career. The Redskins went on to finish 11-4, winning the NFC East crown. In the playoffs, the Redskins defeated the Chicago Bears in the Divisional Playoff game for the second year in a row, 21-17. Clark caught three passes for 57 yards and a touchdown in the NFC Championship game against the Minnesota Vikings. The Redskins won, 17-10, to earn the right to play in Super Bowl XXII. Clark caught three passes for 55 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 25 yards in Washington's 42-10 rout of John Elway and the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII.

Clark's numbers dropped in 1988 as he caught 59 passes for 892 yards and seven touchdowns. The Redskins finished a paltry 7-9 and missed the playoffs. He returned to form in 1989, catching 79 passes (a career high) for 1,229 yards and nine touchdowns. The Redskins finished 10-6 but missed the playoffs again because of a 5-6 start. Clark, along with fellow receivers Art Monk and Ricky Sanders, surpassed the 1,000 yard mark in 1989. This was the first time in NFL History that three receivers from one team all went over the 1,000 yard mark in the same year.

In 1990, Clark had another Pro Bowl year and the Redskins made the playoffs. He caught 75 passes for 1,112 yards and eight touchdowns. The Redskins went on to beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 20-6, in an NFC Wild Card game. Clark caught four passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. The Redskins lost the next week to the San Francisco 49ers, 28-10.

In 1991, Clark and the Redskins tore through the NFL. He caught 70 passes for 1,340 yards and ten touchdowns. His 19.1 yards per catch was second in the NFL. Clark caught four passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns in Washington's 56-17 rout of the Atlanta Falcons in week 11. The Redskins finished 14-2, won the NFC East, and claimed home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Washington beat Atlanta, 24-7, and crushed Detroit, 41-10, to earn a berth in Super Bowl XXVI against the Buffalo Bills. Clark had a big day with seven catches for 114 yards and a touchdown in Washington's 37-24 defeat of the Bills. The Redskins led 24-0 early in the third quarter, but Buffalo cut the lead to 24-10. His 30-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter was instrumental in thwarting a comeback attempt by the Bills.

Clark, Monk and Sanders gave the Redskins one of the best receiving corps in the NFL during the late 1980s and early 1990s. They were known as The Posse. Clark was long known as the most fiery spirit of the bunch, and he was known to run laps around RFK Stadium after touchdowns and during Redskins comebacks. Clark signed with the Phoenix Cardinals as a free agent prior to the 1993 season, and the Redskins have only made the playoffs three times since.

Clark retired from the NFL after the 1995 season. In his 11 NFL seasons, he caught 699 passes for 10,856 yards and 65 touchdowns, while rushing for 54 yards and gaining 62 yards on nine punt returns. He also had twenty-seven 100-yard games wearing the Redskins uniform. Clark was a four-time Pro Bowl selection in 1986, 1987, 1990, and 1991. He was also a three-time All-Pro selection. He led his team in receiving seven times (1986, 1987, 1989–1992, 1994), and won two Super Bowls, Super Bowl XXII and Super Bowl XXVI, during his NFL career.

Clark was the first receiver in NFL history to catch at least 50 passes in his first ten NFL seasons. As of 2009, the only other players to do so have been Marvin Harrison and Torry Holt.

Notes

Clark was the owner of the now closed South Beach Restaurant and Martini Lounge in Bethesda, Maryland.

He was inducted into the Redskins Ring of Honor on October 7, 2007 and concluded his speech with, "We are going to spank Detroit's butt." The Redskins won the game, 34-3.

In 2007, he was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.

External links

Washington Redskins 1984 NFL Draft selections

Bob Slater Steve Hamilton Jay Schroeder Jimmy Smith Jeff Pegues Curt Singer Mark Smith Jeff Smith Keith Griffin Anthony Jones Curtlan Thomas Tony Zendejas (Supp.) Gary Clark (Supp.) Clarence Verdin (Supp.)

Draft years 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1950 AAFC 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Washington Redskins Super Bowl XXII champions

6 Ali Haji-Sheikh 10 Jay Schroeder 11 Mark Rypien 12 Steve Cox 17 Doug Williams (MVP) 23 Todd Bowles 24 Kelvin Bryant 26 Craig McEwen 28 Darrell Green 29 Reggie Branch 30 Anthony Allen 31 Clarence Vaughn 32 Vernon Dean 34 Brian Davis 35 Keith Griffin 36 Timmy Smith 38 George Rogers 40 Alvin Walton 41 Tim Morrison 45 Barry Wilburn 46 Dennis Woodberry 50 Ravin Caldwell 51 Monte Coleman 52 Neal Olkewicz 53 Jeff Bostic 54 Kurt Gouveia 55 Mel Kaufman 57 Rich Milot 58 David Jones 61 Rick Kehr 63 Raleigh McKenzie 64 Steve Hamilton 65 Dave Butz 66 Joe Jacoby 67 Kit Lathrop 68 Russ Grimm 69 R. C. Thielemann 71 Charles Mann 72 Dexter Manley 73 Mark May 74 Markus Koch 76 Ed Simmons 77 Darryl Grant 78 Dean Hamel 80 Eric Yarber 81 Art Monk 82 Anthony Jones 83 Ricky Sanders 84 Gary Clark 85 Don Warren 86 Clint Didier 87 Terry Orr 88 Joe Caravello 89 Clarence Verdin

Head coach: Joe Gibbs

Coaches: Chuck Banker Don Breaux Joe Bugel Joe Diange Dan Henning Bill Hickman Paul Lanham Larry Peccatiello Richie Petitbon Jerry Rhome Dan Riley Warren Simmons Charley Taylor Emmitt Thomas LaVern Torgeson

Washington Redskins Super Bowl XXVI champions

2 Kelly Goodburn 6 Cary Conklin (IR) 8 Chip Lohmiller 10 Jeff Rutledge 11 Mark Rypien (MVP) 16 Stan Humphries 20 Alvoid Mays 21 Earnest Byner 26 Danny Copeland 27 Brad Edwards 28 Darrell Green 30 Brian Mitchell 31 Clarence Vaughn 32 Ricky Ervins 34 Terry Hoage 35 Martin Mayhew 37 Gerald Riggs 40 Alvin Walton 45 Sidney Johnson 47 A. J. Johnson 48 Travis Curtis 50 Ravin Caldwell 51 Monte Coleman 53 Jeff Bostic 54 Kurt Gouveia 55 Andre Collins 57 Matt Millen 58 Wilber Marshall 60 Fred Stokes 61 Mark Adickes 62 Ralph Tamm 63 Raleigh McKenzie 65 Mohammed Elewonibi (IR) 66 Joe Jacoby 67 Ray Brown 68 Russ Grimm 69 Mark Schlereth 71 Charles Mann 74 Markus Koch 75 Eric Williams 76 Ed Simmons 78 Tim Johnson 79 Jim Lachey 80 Keenan McCardell (IR) 80 Joe Johnson 81 Art Monk 82 John Brandes 83 Ricky Sanders 84 Gary Clark 85 Don Warren 86 Stephen Hobbs 87 Ron Middleton 88 James Jenkins 88 Jimmie Johnson 89 Terry Orr 94 Bobby Wilson 97 Jumpy Geathers 99 Jason Buck

Head coach: Joe Gibbs

Coaches: Don Breaux Jack Burns Bobby DePaul Rod Dowhower Jim Hanifan Larry Peccatiello Richie Petitbon Dan Riley Wayne Sevier Warren Simmons Charley Taylor Emmitt Thomas LaVern Torgeson Steve Wetzel

70 Greatest Redskins

21 Terry Allen RB 1995–98
41 Mike Bass CB 1969–75
20 Cliff Battles B 1932–37
33 Sammy Baugh QB 1937–52
31 Don Bosseler B 1957–64
53 Jeff Bostic C 1980–93
4 Mike Bragg P 1968–79
80 Gene Brito DE 1951–53, 1955–58
43 Larry Brown RB 1969–76
77 Bill Brundige DE 1970–77
65 Dave Butz DT 1975–88
21 Earnest Byner RB 1989–93
84 Gary Clark WR 1985–92
51 Monte Coleman LB 1979–94
53 Al DeMao C 1945–53
36 Chuck Drazenovich LB 1950–59
35 Bill Dudley RB 1950–51, 1953
17 Turk Edwards T 1932–40
44 Andy Farkas FB 1938–44
37 Pat Fischer CB 1968–77
28 Darrell Green CB 1983–2002
68 Russ Grimm G 1981–91
55 Chris Hanburger LB 1965–78
57 Ken Harvey LB 1994–98
56 Len Hauss C 1964–77
27 Ken Houston S 1973–80
70 Sam Huff LB 1964–67, 1969
66 Joe Jacoby T/G 1981–93
47 Dick James RB 1955–63
9 Sonny Jurgensen QB 1964–74
22 Charlie Justice RB 1950, 1952–54
17 Billy Kilmer QB 1971–78
26 Paul Krause DB 1964–67
79 Jim Lachey T 1988–95
14 Eddie LeBaron QB 1952–53, 1955–59
72 Dexter Manley DE 1981–89
71 Charles Mann DE 1983–93
58 Wilber Marshall LB 1988–92
73 Mark May T 1981–89
79 Ron McDole DE 1971–78
63 Raleigh McKenzie G 1985–94
53 Harold McLinton LB 1969–78
40 Wayne Millner E 1936–41, 1945
49 Bobby Mitchell FL 1962–68
30 Brian Mitchell RB 1990–99
81 Art Monk WR 1980–93
3 Mark Moseley K 1974–86
29 Mark Murphy S 1977–84
21 Mike Nelms KR 1980–84
52 Neal Olkewicz LB 1979–89
23 Brig Owens LB 1966–77
65 Vince Promuto G 1960–70
44 John Riggins RB 1976–79, 1981–85
11 Mark Rypien QB 1987–93
83 Ricky Sanders WR 1986–93
76 Ed Simmons T 1987–93
87 Jerry Smith TE 1965–77
60 Dick Stanfel G 1956–58
74 George Starke T 1973–84
72 Diron Talbert DT 1971–80
84 Hugh (Bones) Taylor E 1947–54
42 Charley Taylor WR 1964–77
7 Joe Theismann QB 1974–85
67 Rusty Tillman LB 1970–77
85 Don Warren TE 1979–92
25 Joe Washington RB 1981–84
17 Doug Williams QB 1986–89

Coaches

George Allen Head Coach 1971–77
Ray Flaherty Head Coach 1936–42
Joe Gibbs Head Coach 1981–92

Washington Redskins Ring of Fame

George Allen Head Coach 1971–77
Cliff Battles RB 1932–37
Sammy Baugh QB 1937–52
Gene Brito DE, 1951–53, 1955–58
Larry Brown RB 1969–76
Dave Butz DT 1975–88
Gary Clark WR 1985–92
Jack Kent Cooke Owner 1961–97
Bill Dudley RB, 1950–51, 1953
Wayne Curry Prince George's County Executive 1994–2002
Pat Fischer CB 1968–77
Joe Gibbs Head Coach, 1981–92, 2004–07
Darrell Green CB 1983–2002
Russ Grimm G 1981–91
Chris Hanburger LB 1965–78
Ken Harvey LB 1994–98
Len Hauss C 1964–77
Phil Hochberg PA Announcer 1963–2000
Ken Houston S 1973–80
Sam Huff LB, 1964–67, 1969
Joe Jacoby T/G 1981–93
Dick James RB 1956–63
Sonny Jurgensen QB 1964–74
Charlie Justice RB, 1950, 1952–54
Billy Kilmer QB 1971–78
Eddie LeBaron QB, 1952–53, 1955–59
Vince Lombardi Head Coach 1969
Dexter Manley DE 1981–89
Charles Mann DE 1983–93
George Preston Marshall Team Founder & Owner 1932–69
Wayne Millner End, 1936–41, 1945
Bobby Mitchell Flanker 1962–68
Brian Mitchell RB/KR 1990–99
Art Monk WR 1980–93
Mark Moseley PK 1974–86
Brig Owens DB 1966–77
Richie Petitbon S 1971-72, defensive coordinator 1981-92
Vince Promuto G 1960–70
John Riggins RB, 1976–79, 1981–85
Jerry Smith TE 1965–77
Charley Taylor WR 1964–77
Sean Taylor S 2004–07
Joe Theismann QB 1974–85
Lamar "Bubba" Tyer Head Athletic Trainer, 1971–2002, 2004–08
Doug Williams QB 1986–89

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