Al Clark (American football)

Al Clark (February 29, 1948 – June 4, 2004) was an American professional football defensive back who played six seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, and Philadelphia Eagles.

Al Clark

No. 21, 44
Position:	Defensive back
Personal information
Born:	(1948-02-29)February 29, 1948 Bogalusa, Louisiana, U.S.
Died:	4 June 2004(2004-06-04) (aged 56)
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school:	Greenville (Park Hammond, LA)
College:	Eastern Michigan
NFL draft:	1971: 3rd round, 72nd pick
Career history
Detroit Lions (1971) Los Angeles Rams (1972–1975) Philadelphia Eagles (1976)
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

Clark was born in Bogalusa, Louisiana and attended Greenville Park High School in Hammond.^[1] He enrolled and played college football at Grambling State University before transferring to Northern Arizona University and lastly Eastern Michigan University.

Professional career

Clark was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 1971 NFL draft, 72nd overall.^[1] After one year with the Lions as a cornerback and kick returner, Clark signed with the Rams, where he stayed for four years. His final year was with the Eagles in 1976.^[1]

On December 10, 1972, Clark was on the field when St. Louis Cardinals' quarterback Jim Hart completed a pass to Bobby Moore (later known as Ahmad Rashad), who caught the ball on the run near his own 40-yard line. After Gene Howard, Jim Nettles, Marlin McKeever, and Dave Elmendorf missed tackles, Clark brought down Moore on the Rams' one-yard line, making it the longest non-scoring pass play in NFL history.^[2]

Later life

Clark died June 4, 2004, of undisclosed causes.^[3]