Name Mike Clark Positions Placekicker Education Texas A&M University | Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight 93 kg Place of death: Dallas, Texas | |
Date of birth: (1940-11-07)November 7, 1940 Date of death: July 24, 2002(2002-07-24) (aged 61) Died July 24, 2002, Dallas, Texas, United States | ||
Michael Vincent Clark (November 7, 1940 – July 24, 2002) was an American football placekicker in the National Football League from (1963-1973). He was a part of the Dallas Cowboys' Super Bowl VI winning team.
Contents
- Early years
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Dallas Cowboys first stint
- Buffalo Bills
- New England Patriots
- Dallas Cowboys second stint
- Personal life
- References
Early years
Clark attended Longview High School before moving on to Texas A&M University, where he was converted from offensive end to kicker by head coach Jim Myers.
Philadelphia Eagles
Clark was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent after the 1963 NFL Draft. He was mainly a kickoff specialist until 1964, when he was sold to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired Clark after deciding to trade Lou Michaels to the Baltimore Colts. His best season was in 1966, when he registered 97 points. The next year, he was named to the Pro Bowl after scoring 71 points. He led the team in scoring in each of his four seasons with the Steelers.
On July 16, 1968, he announced his retirement. The Dallas Cowboys convinced him to play in his home state and traded center Mike Connelly to the Steelers in exchange for his rights.
Dallas Cowboys (first stint)
In 1968, he replaced a retired Danny Villanueva and was second in the NFL with 108 points scored. The next year, he was again second in the league with 103 points, but he is mostly remembered for a playoff game against the Cleveland Browns, where he received an offside penalty for whiffing on an onside kick and when he attempted a second try, he received another penalty because the onside kick didn't travel the required 10 yards.
In 1971, he was passed on the depth chart by Toni Fritsch and sent to the taxi squad for two games, before Fritsch pulled a hamstring and he regained the starting job. He was waived on September 6, 1972.
Buffalo Bills
Clark was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills, but was injured in 1972 and was eventually released on August 30, 1973.
New England Patriots
He was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots and was eventually cut by the team on September 11, 1973.
Dallas Cowboys (second stint)
On October 26, 1973, he signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys. He played in four games and retired at the end of the season after not being able to recover from a broken leg.
Personal life
Clark worked for Lockheed Martin. He died of a heart attack at Baylor University Medical Center. He was diagnosed with advanced melanoma in 1998.