Dallas Clark

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Clark's journey began at Twin River Valley High School in Bode, Iowa, where he was a multi-sport star before becoming a unanimous All-American at the University of Iowa. In 2002, he won the John Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end and helped lead Iowa to an undefeated conference season. Upon entering the NFL, the Colts called him a "perfect fit." His rookie year in 2003 was cut short by a broken leg against the New England Patriots after starting ten games, but he returned stronger. By 2007, Clark had started fifteen games and shattered John Mackey's franchise records for receptions (58) and touchdowns (11) by a tight end. On December 28, 2008, he broke another record with 848 receiving yards in a season. His peak came in 2009 when he became only the second tight end in NFL history to catch 100 passes in a single season, finishing with 100 catches for 1,106 yards and ten touchdowns.

In Their Own Story

The defining moments of Clark's career were marked by specific, record-shattering performances. On September 21, 2009, during a Monday Night Football matchup against the Miami Dolphins, he hauled in seven receptions for a career-high 183 yards and a touchdown, marking the fourth-highest receiving yardage ever recorded by a tight end in NFL history. Just weeks later on November 8, 2009, facing the Houston Texans, Clark caught 14 balls, setting another personal career high that earned him AFC Offensive Player-of-the-Week honors. Earlier in his career, he demonstrated clutch ability during the 2006 playoffs; as a member of the Super Bowl XLI champions, he caught 17 passes for 281 yards across three games. His durability and production were hallmarks until a wrist injury against the Washington Redskins on October 17, 2010, forced him onto injured reserve, ending his tenure with the Colts after their release of Peyton Manning in March 2012.

Reader's Guide

For fans tracking Dallas Clark's statistical legacy, his time with the Indianapolis Colts is defined by specific milestones. He was drafted in 2003 and played through the 2010 season before moving to Tampa Bay and Baltimore. His most productive year was 2009, where he reached the rare feat of 100 receptions. In the Super Bowl XLI victory over Chicago, his stat line included four catches for 36 yards and a one-yard rush. He held the Colts' single-season reception record (58) and touchdown record (11) for tight ends in 2007, surpassing John Mackey's previous marks. His contract history includes a six-year extension signed on February 19, 2008, which averaged $4.5 million per year, making him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL at that time.

Did You Know?

• Clark became only the second tight end in NFL history to catch 100 passes in a single season during 2009.
• In college, Clark broke a 95-yard pass play record at Kinnick Stadium against Purdue, which remains the longest in school history.
• On September 21, 2009, Clark recorded 183 receiving yards against Miami, the fourth-highest single-game total ever for a tight end.
• Clark was granted a scholarship by Iowa specifically to play tight end after playing linebacker as a freshman and sophomore.
• He retired as a Colt on June 18, 2014, after signing a one-day contract to close his career with the team that drafted him.