Dallas came to Iowa as an undersized walk-on linebacker and transformed himself into a First Team All-Big Ten tight end, consensus First Team All-American tight end and John Mackey award recipient. Dallas Clark was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts as the 24th pick overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. Clark has experienced tremendous success in his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts. He is widely considered one the best pass catching TE’s in NFL history and he certainly has the stats to back it up. In 2009, Clark tied for the team lead in receptions with 100, for 1106 yards and 10 touchdowns and continued to make circus catches such as these. During the playoffs he had 18 more catches for 180 yards and a touchdown to help the Colts reach Super Bowl XLIV, where they were defeated by the Saints. He was rewarded for his great season by being named a 1st-Team All Pro and was named to the Pro Bowl. Clark sat out the entire 2010 preseason while recovering from an injury but caught 37 balls for 347 yards and 3 touchdowns before injuring his wrist during the 6th game of the season. After meeting with multiple specialists, the Colts placed him on Injured Reserve. Before his season was shut down, Clark led all Tight Ends in receptions as well as being 4th in both yards & touchdowns and 6th in yards per game. He returned healthy for the 2011 season, despite missing his Quarterback Peyton Manning, who was sidelined to start the season with a neck injury. His 2011 stats:
Week 1 vs. Houston Texans: 4 receptions – 39 yards
Week 2 vs. Cleveland Browns: 4 receptions – 32 yards, 1 touchdown
Week 3 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2 receptions – 12 yards
Week 4 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3 receptions – 46 yards
Week 5 vs. Kansas City Chiefs: 1 reception – 7 yards
Week 6 vs. Cincinnati Bengals: 6 receptions – 53 yards, 1 touchdown
Week 7 vs. New Orleans Saints: no stats
Week 8 vs. Tennessee Titans: 6 receptions – 77 yards
Week 9 vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2 receptions – 21 yards
Week 10 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: DNP
Week 11: Bye
Week 12 vs. Carolina Panthers: DNP
Week 13 vs. New England Patriots: DNP
Week 14 vs. Baltimore Ravens: 1 reception – 12 yards
Week 15 vs. Tennessee Titans: DNP
Week 16 vs. Houston Texans: DNP
Career Accolades:
In 2007, Clark broke the Colts’ franchise record for touchdown receptions in a season by a tight end (11).
On December 28, 2008, Clark broke the Colts’ franchise record, held by Hall of Famer John Mackey, for yards in a season by a tight end (848). He eventually set a new record after the 2009 season with 1106 yards.
On September 21, 2009, Clark had a career high 183 receiving yards and a touchdown on just seven receptions during the Monday Night Football match up against the Miami Dolphins. This is also the fourth highest receiving yards ever for a Tight End in NFL history.
On November 8th, 2009 against the Houston Texans, Clark caught 14 balls; a career high for him and tying the team record for receptions in a game.
On November 22, 2009 Clark broke the Colts’ franchise record, held by Hall of Famer John Mackey, for career receptions by a tight end (321). This number continues to rise and stands at 422.
On February 7, 2010, in Super Bowl XLIV, Clark became the NFL’s All-Time leader by a tight end in post-season receptions with 64, and yards with 847.