Washington Redskins:

Redskins Great - Gary Clark

by Robert Janis - Capital News Services

01/06/06

If you have talent, professional football will find you. Witness the career of Gary Clark. Clark played two seasons for the USFL Jacksonville Bulls, eight seasons with the Washington Redskins, two seasons with the Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, and one season with the Miami Dolphins. He was an instrumental part of the Redskins winning seasons under head coach Joe Gibbs during the 1980s and played in and won two super bowls. He was also selected to four Pro Bowls and is among the NFL’s all time top 50 in receptions (23rd), receiving yards (17th), receiving TDs (tied for 35th), and yards from scrimmage (45th). In addition, he is one of the 70 Greatest Redskins of all time.

Born in May, 1962 in New River Valley, Virginia, Clark was the youngest of four children (three boys and a girl). His father drove a school bus, was a janitor, and was president of the local NAACP. His mother was a teacher’s aid.

Clark first got involved in sports when he was just five years old, he said.
He was kind of urged into it because his brothers played.

He attended Pulaski County High School in Virginia where he played football, basketball, and ran track. He was a receiver and safety for the football team.
Although he doesn’t remember receiving honors or awards for his prowess on the field, he was voted most likely to become a professional athlete by his follow students.

He received a scholarship to play football at James Madison University, an NCAA I-AA Division team. By the end of his college career he held every significant James Madison University receiving record. He caught 155 passes for 2,863 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also ran three punt returns for touchdowns including an 89 and 87 yarders in one game in 1983 at Virginia. His best year was in
1983 when he caught 57 passes and was an honorable mention All-American. In
1982 he caught 46 passes and was the Virginia offensive player of the year and an honorable mention All-American.

Perhaps because he played for a Division I-AA college, Clark was overlooked by the NFL after graduating from James Madison in 1984. However, he was the first round selection of the Jacksonville Bulls in the second USFL draft.

In two seasons with the Jacksonville Bulls Clark caught 66 passes for 821 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 12.4 yards per catch. He was named to the second team of the All-USFL team.

Clark was selected by the Redskins in a supplemental draft in 1985. Other former USFL players to join the Redskins along with Clark included Ricky Sanders (Houston), Kelvin Bryant (Philadelphia/Baltimore), Doug Williams (Oklahoma/Arizona), and Clarence Verdin (Houston).

Clark explained that he was available because Jacksonville had released him due to financial problems. “The Redskins had my rights and Bobby Beathard recruited me,” said Clark. After his selection in the supplemental draft, Clark went to the Redskins facility to show the coaches what he could do. “I ran a 4.38 40 yard dash with two pulled hamstrings and they liked what they saw,” said Clark. “They really brought me in to return punts and kick offs.”

He was greatly impressed by Gibbs from day one. “I was in awe of how he went about taking care of business and preparation for an opponent,” said Clark.
“We truly knew what to expect in every game from our opponent.

“My relationship with Joe was like that of a father and son,” continued Clark. “I was a very passionate player and would say whatever was on my mind at the time when the game was going on. I don’t believe in losing and I still don’t. There is nothing good about it. Sometimes I expressed that passion too verbally for Joe’s liking and he would let me know when he felt I was over stepping any lines. Heck, he compared me to Tony Stuart (the race car driver). He loved me when the game was on the line but hated my mouth and my actions some time.”

Clark was also in awe of Charley Taylor, the Redskins’ Receivers’ Coach.
“Simply put, Charley Taylor was the best Redskins receiver to ever put on a Redskins uniform,” he said. “I should never ever be mentioned in the same breath with Charley Taylor. What a hell of a man and a player.”

When asked to choose his best game, Clark replied, “Heck, pick any game from the NFC East. I always played my best football against the Giants, Cowboys, Eagles, and Cards and also played well against San Francisco and Minnesota outside of the East. And during that time span and for 10 to 11 years, the NFC East or San Fran won the super bowl.”

Clark was a major contributor to the Redskins success during the 1980s and in winning two super bowls. He noted that he scored the go ahead touchdown against the Broncos in Super Bowl XXII and scored the touchdown that “broke the backs of the Bills” in Super Bowl XXVI.

His Redskins team stats look like this:

Finally, Clark is third all time in receiving yards for the Redskins.

After Joe Gibbs retired, Clark joined the Cardinals and played for them for two seasons (‘93, ‘94). He finished his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins in 1995.

The fact that Gibbs retired was a great influence for him to leave the Skins.
“I would have retired a Redskin if Joe Gibbs did not retire,” said Clark.
“So would have Art Monk and Ricky Sanders. Joe had a way of keeping the team together and players in place for less money. He made everyone understand that the team was first and everything else was second. Nobody since Joe first left understood how to get that point across to players. When I was in Washington, it was obvious I should have been paid more money than I was. I led the Redskins receivers in most categories for most of my years there. My point is I knew I was worth more money than I was getting paid. But Joe kept me there and I have no regrets for staying and playing for less money. I won two rings and got to go to war with a team of guys who would give their right arm to win. It does not get any better than that!”

Today Clark owns a restaurant and lives in the Washington, D.C. area.

Comments? Here.

© 2006 Capital News Services - All Rights Reserved