Dallas Clark

The record-breaking tight end who anchored the Colts' offense to a Super Bowl XLI title.

Dallas Clark was a dominant force for the Indianapolis Colts, serving as the team's primary tight end for eight seasons from 2003 to 2010. Selected in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft with the 24th overall pick out of Iowa, he quickly replaced Marcus Pollard and Ken Dilger to become a cornerstone of the offense. Clark was a key member of the Super Bowl XLI championship team that defeated the Chicago Bears, where he recorded four receptions for 36 yards and rushed once for a yard. Known for his versatility, he shattered franchise records set by Hall of Famer John Mackey for both single-season receptions and touchdowns by a tight end.

Quick Facts

Position: Tight end
Born: 12 June 1979
Birthplace: Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.
High school: Twin River Valley (Bode, Iowa)
College: Iowa (1998–2002)
Draft year: 2003
Draft round: 1
Draft pick: 24

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.

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?

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.