Nate Clements

Nate Clements

refer to caption

Clements with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011
No. 22
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Date of birth: (1979-12-12) December 12, 1979
Place of birth: Shaker Heights, Ohio
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 209 lb (95 kg)
Career information
College: Ohio State
NFL Draft: 2001 / Round: 1 / Pick: 21
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Tackles: 812
Quarterback sacks: 4.5
Interceptions: 36
Forced fumbles: 23
Touchdowns: 5
Player stats at NFL.com

Nathan D. Clements (born December 12, 1979) is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Ohio State. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills 21st overall in the 2001 NFL Draft, and also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals.

Early years

Clements was born to Nathan Clements, Sr. and Emma Clements in Shaker Heights, Ohio and graduated from Shaker Heights High School.[1] Nate's father was strict and did not allow Nate to date while in high school.[2] Clements excelled at both defensive back and quarterback and was named an All-American by USA Today, Blue Chip Illustrated and Super Prep.

Clements was also named first team All-Ohio during a season in which he had seven interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. He also returned two kicks for touchdowns. Clements led the Raiders to a playoff berth in 1997 and led them past a Euclid Panther team that featured Notre Dame back Tony Fisher. Clements also holds the Shaker record for career interceptions with 14.[1] The school retired his number 20 jersey in 2005.

College career

Clements attended Ohio State University. Clements started 24 of 36 games and recorded 177 career tackles and seven interceptions. As a junior, he intercepted four passes and racked up 470 yards returning punts, with an average of 13.1 yards per return. In 2000 He was an All-Big Ten Conference first-team choice. After his junior year Clements decided to forgo his senior season and declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft. He majored in general studies.

Professional career

Clements on the field prior to a game against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 12, 2008

Buffalo Bills

Clements was drafted by the Buffalo Bills with the 21st pick of the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft. Clements played for the Bills from 2001 to 2006 and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2004.

Nate recorded his first career interception and touchdown against Peyton Manning and the Colts on 9/23/2001.[3]

In 2002, Clements set a career high with 6 interceptions, including 3 against Miami in Week 7, one of which was returned for a TD. Clements was named Defensive Player of the Week.[3]

Clements earned his first Pro-Bowl trip in 2004, after tying his career high in Ints with 6.[3]

He finished his career with the team starting 91 of 96 games, recording 432 tackles, 13 forced fumbles and 23 interceptions.

San Francisco 49ers

On March 2, 2007 Clements became the highest paid defensive player in NFL history after signing an eight-year, $80 million with $22 million guaranteed deal with the San Francisco 49ers.[4] The contract has since been topped by Washington Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who signed a seven-year, $100 million contract with $41 million guaranteed with the Washington Redskins on February 27, 2009.[5] It has been most recently topped by Mario Williams who signed a 6-year $100 million contract with the Buffalo Bills. Clement's streak of playing in 119 straight games was snapped in 2008, when he was inactive against the New York Jets.[3] On September 27, 2009, Clements joined Kevin Ross as the only players in NFL history to return a blocked field goal for a touchdown twice. On November 1, 2009, Clements suffered a right shoulder injury against the Indianapolis Colts in the first quarter and forced to leave the game. Reports indicate that he suffered a fractured right scapula. He was placed on the IR and missed the remainder of the 2009 season.

He was released on July 28, 2011.[6]

Clements in training camp, 2012

Cincinnati Bengals

Clements signed a 2-year contract worth $10.5 million and $6 million guaranteed with the Cincinnati Bengals on July 30, 2011.

NFL stats

Year Team Games Combined Tackles Tackles Assisted Tackles Sacks Forced Fumbles Fumble Recoveries Fumble Return Yards Interceptions Interception Return Yards Yards per Interception Return Longest Interception Interception Return Yards Passes Defended
2001 BUF 16 63 53 10 1.0 3 0 0 3 48 16 48 1 13
2002 BUF 16 65 52 13 0.0 0 0 0 6 82 14 42 1 19
2003 BUF 16 62 51 11 0.0 0 0 0 3 54 18 54 1 7
2004 BUF 16 73 53 20 0.5 5 1 0 6 77 13 35 1 13
2005 BUF 16 99 78 21 0.0 3 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 13
2006 BUF 16 72 56 16 0.0 2 2 0 3 80 27 58 1 19
2007 SF 16 92 77 15 1.0 3 0 0 4 74 19 62 0 14
2008 SF 15 63 56 7 0.0 1 0 0 2 13 7 13 0 9
2009 SF 7 35 30 5 0.0 0 0 0 1 8 8 8 0 7
2010 SF 16 82 72 10 1.0 3 0 0 3 46 15 39 0 10
2011 CIN 15 55 49 6 1.0 2 2 0 2 5 3 7 0 12
2012 CIN 15 53 31 22 0.0 1 0 0 1 21 21 21 0 5
Career 180 814 658 156 4.5 23 6 0 36 508 14 62 5 141

[7]

References

  1. 1 2 "Nate Clements". Ohio State Buckeyes. Archived from the original on June 2, 2001.
  2. ↑ Brown, Daniel (March 3, 2007). "Parents provided strong influence for new 49er". San Jose Mercury News. Archived from the original on March 6, 2007.
  3. 1 2 3 4 http://www.49ers.com/team/roster/Nate-Clements/e9de3ddd-7b8d-4869-bd13-ba23a8f300aa
  4. ↑ 49ers make Clements NFL's highest-paid defender ever
  5. ↑ Haynesworth's choice: Redskins
  6. ↑ Rosenthal, Gregg. "Release Tracker". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  7. ↑ "Nate Clements Stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
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