Darryl Clack

Darryl Earl Clack (born October 29, 1963) is a former American football kick returner and wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) with the Dallas Cowboys for four years.

Early years

Clack, then known as "Mr. Click," began to show his prowess at Widefield High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Clack was at his best in track and field. He won the state championship in the 100 meters in his junior and senior years. He missed winning in a photo finish as a sophomore, but he won the 200 meters and the 400 meters in each of his last three years in high school. He set state-record times of 10.65 seconds in the 100 meters, 21.22 in the 200 and 47.95 in the 400. Widefield won team state titles in 1979, 1980 and 1981. Clack was inducted into the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.^[1]

College career

Clack began his college football career at Arizona State University in the 1982 season, becoming the first freshman to lead the Sun Devils in rushing in 30 years.^[2] His freshman season culminated in the Devils' victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, with Clack scoring a third-quarter touchdown.^[3] Even as a freshman, Clack's popularity galvanized Arizona State fans, to an extent that metal noisemakers, known as "Darryl Clackers," were sold by stadium vendors.^[4]

Clack continued to excel at Arizona State, leading the Pacific-10 Conference with an average 93.2 yards rushing per game in his sophomore year^[4] and rushing for over 1,000 yards, earning MVP honors, in his junior year. His promising collegiate career was cut short when a broken leg sidelined him for seven games as a senior.^[2]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys drafted him in the second round of the 1986 NFL Draft, to be the backup and possible successor to Tony Dorsett, unfortunately for Clack, that was the same year that Herschel Walker arrived to the team from the United States Football League (USFL).

The talent level at running back, relegated him to returning kickoffs. He was the NFC's third leading kickoff returner in 1988.

With the arrival of head coach Jimmy Johnson, he was waived as part of the rebuilding process during the 1989 season.

Cleveland Browns

In 1990 he signed with the Cleveland Browns, but was released before the season started.

Toronto Argonauts (CFL)

In 1991 he was signed by the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, where he played in the Grey Cup championship game.

Orlando Thunder (WFL)

In 1992, he signed with the Orlando Thunder of the World League of American Football. He became the team's starter at running back and received All-World League honors at the end of the season.^[5]

Personal life

After his playing days, Clack went to the University of Texas at El Paso to finish work on undergraduate and advanced degrees. He moved around the business world for a time but has settled into the banking business. He is currently a vice president at Compass Bank in Tempe, Arizona, not far from the Arizona State University campus.

References