Highlighted Year: Gary Clark, 1986

Wide Receiver, Washington Redskins

Age: 24

4^th season in pro football, 2^nd in NFL & with Redskins

College: James Madison

Height: 5’9”    Weight: 173

Prelude:

Clark caught 155 passes for 2863 yards and 16 touchdowns in college and was chosen by the Jacksonville Bulls in the first round of the 1984 USFL draft. He had 56 catches for 760 yards and two TDs as a rookie and also returned kicks. He had a lesser season in ’85 and caught only 10 passes. Following the demise of the USFL, he joined the Redskins in the Fall, who had taken him in the second round of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft. He had a big first year with Washington in ’85 with 72 receptions for 926 yards and 5 TDs. He proved to be an explosive receiver with great toughness.

1986 Season Summary

Appeared in 15 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 74 [10]           

Most receptions, game – 11 (for 241 yds.) at NY Giants 10/27

Yards – 1265 [4]

Most yards, game – 241 (on 11 catches) at NY Giants 10/27

Average gain – 17.1

TDs – 7 [15, tied with four others]

200-yard receiving games – 1

100-yard receiving games – 5

Punt Returns

Returns – 1

Yards – 14

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 7

Points – 42

Postseason: 3 G

Pass receptions – 6

Most pass receptions, game – 5 at Chicago, NFC Divisional playoff

Pass receiving yards – 45

Most pass receiving yards, game – 37 at Chicago, NFC Divisional playoff

Average yards per reception – 7.5

Pass Receiving TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-NFL: AP

1^st team All-NFC: UPI, Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Redskins went 12-4 to finish second in the NFC East to qualify as a wild card playoff entry. Won NFC Wild Card playoff over Los Angeles Rams (19-7) & NFC Divisional playoff over Chicago Bears (27-13). Lost NFC Championship to New York Giants (17-0).

Aftermath:

Clark followed up with another All-Pro season in 1987, catching 56 passes for 1066 yards and 7 TDs in Washington’s Super Bowl-winning campaign, that was strike-interrupted. An off year in 1988 with a 79-catch year in ’89 for 1229 yards and 9 touchdowns. Clark garnered Pro Bowl recognition in 1990 and ’91 (75 receptions for 112 yards and 8 TDs followed by 70 catches for 1340 yards and 10 TDs). Following a 64-catch, 912-yard season in 1992, Clark moved on to the Phoenix Cardinals as a free agent in ’93. He spent two years with the Cards and finished his stellar career with Miami in 1995. Overall in the NFL he caught 699 passes for 10,856 yards and 65 touchdowns. Of those totals, 549 receptions for 8742 yards and 58 TDs came with the Redskins. Clark received at least some first-team All-NFL honors twice and was selected to four Pro Bowls.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970