Iowa Time Machine ⏰:On June 12, 1979, Dallas Clark was born. A standout performer for Twin River Valley High School and the Iowa Hawkeyes, Clark went on to an All-Pro NFL career.
Born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Clark moved with his family to Iowa and starred at small Twin River Valley High School in Bode in multiple sports. A letter-winner in football, basketball, track, and baseball, Clark racked up 160 tackles as a senior and earned first-team all-conference and second-team all-state honors. Headed to walk-on in Iowa City, Clark initially struggled to see the field for the Hawkeyes and did not appear in any games during his freshman season. Clark’s sophomore season saw a few special teams opportunities but didn’t truly start to create an exceptional Hawkeye legacy until moving to tight-end before the 2001 season.
Clark started 10 games at tight end for Iowa in 2001, catching 38 passes for 539 yards and four touchdowns on the season. He also played special teams, memorably recovering an on-side kick to clinch a win against Penn State. Clark gained an honorable mention for All-Big Ten Conference while also earning a scholarship. Starting all games as a senior, Clark helped lead Iowa to its first undefeated conference season in 80 years.
Against Purdue, Clark caught three passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns. In the third quarter, Clark broke a Purdue tackle and raced 95 yards for a touchdown. The catch represented the longest pass play in Kinnick Stadium history and the second-longest in school history. Clark's second touchdown came with 1:07 left in the game with the Hawkeyes down 28–24. Clark caught a seven-yard pass on fourth and goal from quarterback Brad Banks to give Iowa a 31–28 win.
The Indianapolis Colts drafted the first-team All-American, first-team All-Big Ten, and John Mackey Award-winning tight end 24th overall in the 2003 draft. Clark went on to an 11-year NFL career. A Super Bowl XLI Champion, Clark also gained distinction as a 2009 first-team All-Pro selection. With over 500 receptions and 5,000 years, the Indianapolis Colts inducted Clark into the team’s ring of honor. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar
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