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Dutch Clark
Dutch Clark
Dutch Clark
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Earl Harry "Dutch" Clark (October 11, 1906 – August 5, 1978), sometimes also known as "the Flying Dutchman" and "the Old Master", was an American football player and coach, basketball player and coach, and university athletic director. He gained his greatest acclaim as a football player and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame with its inaugural class in 1951 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame with its inaugural class in 1963. He was also named in 1969 to the NFL 1930s All-Decade Team and was the first player to have his jersey (No. 7) retired by the Detroit Lions.

Key Information

Born in Colorado, Clark attended Colorado College where he played football, basketball, and baseball, and also competed in track and field. During the 1928 football season, he rushed for 1,349 yards, scored 103 points, and became the first player from Colorado to receive first-team All-American honors. After graduating in 1930, he remained at Colorado College as the head basketball coach and assistant football coach.

Clark played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) with the Portsmouth Spartans / Detroit Lions for 7 seasons from 1931 to 1938. He was selected as the first-team All-Pro quarterback six times, was named by the United Press (UP) as the best player in the NFL in both 1935 and 1936, led the Lions to the 1935 NFL championship, and led the NFL in total offense in 1934 and scoring in 1932, 1935, and 1936. In his final two seasons with the Lions, he also served as the team's head coach. In 1940, he was selected by the Associated Press (AP) as the outstanding football player of the 1930s.

Clark was the head coach at the Colorado School of Mines (1933) and with the Cleveland Rams (NFL, 1939–1942) and Seattle Bombers (American Football League, 1944), an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Dons (All-America Football Conference, 1949) and University of Detroit Titans (1950), and head coach and athletic director for the University of Detroit (1951–1953).

Early life

[edit]

Clark was born in the town of Fowler in Otero County, Colorado, in 1906.[3] He was the son of Harry J. Clark (1874–1924), a Michigan native, and Mary Etta (Lackey) Clark (1876–1969), a North Carolina native. Clark had an older sister, Mabel May (1899–1990), two older brothers, Carl (1901–1927) and Fred (1903–1942), and a younger sister, Pearl (1919–2003). As of 1910, the family lived in La Junta, Otero County, where the father was a farmer. In 1917, when Dutch was 10 years old, the family moved approximately 60 miles to the west to Pueblo, where the father was employed as a locomotive fireman on a steam railroad.[4][5][6]

Clark attended Pueblo's Central High School. As a sophomore in the 1923–24 academic year, he was a member of the football team, captain of the basketball team, and was voted the most popular man in the school.[7]

As a junior during the 1924–1925 academic year, Clark was voted as the class president.[8] He was also regarded as "the best all-around athlete in the state."[9] Playing at fullback for the football team, he helped Central win the 1924 South Central League championship and was named to the all-state team.[10] He was named captain of the basketball team for the second consecutive year, played at the center position, and was selected as an all-conference player.[11]

According to an account published in 1980, Clark earned all-state honors in football and basketball and set South Central League track & field records in the discus and high hurdles. Baseball was his "weak" sport, on account of impaired vision in his left eye. He earned 16 letters at Central High and graduated in 1926.[12]

Colorado College

[edit]

In the fall of 1926, Clark enrolled at the Colorado College in Colorado Springs. He played football for four years and was team captain as a senior. He also played basketball for four years and was team captain as both a junior and a senior. He also competed in track all four years and in baseball as a senior.[13]

During the 1928 season, Clark averaged 10 yards every time he carried the ball. He rushed for 1,349 yards on 135 carries and scored 103 of the team's 203 points. At the end of the 1928 season, he was selected by the Associated Press as the first-team quarterback on the 1928 College Football All-America Team.[14] He was the first All-American football player from any of Colorado's colleges and universities.[12]

Clark graduated from Colorado College in June 1930 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology. After graduating, Clark remained at Colorado College during the 1930–1931 academic year as an assistant football coach and head basketball coach.[15]

NFL playing career

[edit]

Portsmouth Spartans

[edit]

In May 1931, Clark was granted a leave of absence from his coaching responsibilities at Colorado College to allow him to play for the Portsmouth Spartans in the National Football League (NFL), with the understanding that he would return to coach the school's basketball team when the Spartans' season was over.[16] The Spartans compiled an 11–3 record in 1931, good for second place in the NFL. Clark appeared in 11 games and was the team's leading scorer with 60 points on nine touchdowns and six extra points.[17] He ranked third in the NFL in scoring and was selected as the first-team All-Pro quarterback.[18][19] Clark was actually the leading scorer in the NFL when he secured permission to leave the team early to resume his coaching responsibilities with the Colorado College basketball team.[20]

Clark returned to the Spartans in the fall of 1932 and led the team to a 6–2–4 record and third place in the NFL.[21] Clark led the NFL with 581 rushing yards;[22] he also led the league with 55 points scored, 10 extra points, and three field goals.[3] For the second consecutive year, he was selected as the first-team All-Pro quarterback.[3][23] In December 1932, United Press sportswriter George Kirksey rated Clark as the greatest football player of the past 10 years.[24]

Despite his success during the 1931 and 1932 NFL seasons, Clark returned to Colorado College as the school's head basketball coach at the end of the 1932 season. Then, in March 1933, he surprised followers of the professional game by announcing that he would not return to the NFL in 1933, having elected instead to serve as the head football coach for the Colorado School of Mines.[25]

Detroit Lions

[edit]

Clark signed with the Detroit Lions in May 1934 and joined the team for training camp at the end of August.[26][27] (The Portsmouth Spartans moved to Detroit and became the Lions in 1934.)

"Coach" Clark on the cover of a 1938 Detroit Lions game program.

Clark was the quarterback for the 1934 Detroit Lions team that compiled a 10–3 record and finished in second place in the NFL West behind the undefeated Chicago Bears.[28] Clark led the NFL in 1934 with 1,146 yards of total offense and eight rushing touchdowns and ranked among the leaders with 73 points scored (second), 763 rushing yards (third), and 383 passing yards (fourth).[3] At the end of the 1934 season, Clark was selected as the first-team All-Pro quarterback for the third time in three years playing in the NFL.[3][29][30]

In August 1935, Clark was selected by his Detroit teammates as the team captain without a dissenting vote.[31] As quarterback and captain, Clark led the 1935 Detroit Lions to the NFL championship. Clark led the NFL with 55 points scored and 16 extra points.[3] Clark later cited the Lions' 13–0 victory over the Bears on Thanksgiving Day as his most memorable game. In that game, Clark scored both Detroit touchdowns, the first on a pass from Bill Shepherd and the second when he rolled out on a flanker play and took a lateral pass 21 yards into the end zone.[32][33] In the 1935 NFL Championship Game, Clark had "a sensational 42-yard dash" for a touchdown in the second quarter, as the Lions defeated the New York Giants, 26–7.[34]

On January 1, 1936, Clark led the Lions to a 33–0 victory over an all-star team in the first professional football game played in Denver. Clark scored two touchdowns in the game, including a 52-yard touchdown run.[35]

After the 1935 season, Clark was again selected as the first-team All Pro quarterback; the United Press also selected him as the best player in the NFL, calling him the "keenest football strategist", the "most dangerous one-man threat", "a fine drop-kicker and a deadly tackler."[36] The Los Angeles Times noted that Clark "has been acclaimed as the greatest back in the history of the game."[37] Another writer said he had "the nimblest legs in football" and called him the modern back who comes "nearest to perfection"."[38] Red Grange called Clark "the hardest man in football to tackle" and noted: "His change of pace fools the best tacklers."[38] Lions' head coach Potsy Clark cited intelligence and leadership as the factors that separated Clark from others:

For one thing he knows what plays to call. He is one of the most intelligent men who ever played football. He knows the game thoroughly. He rarely makes a mistake. But his main asset is ability to gain the confidence of players. He makes them absolutely believe in him. They never question any play he calls, they regard him as infallible. This confidence is not misplaced. I have never known 'Dutch' to criticize any player. Any time a play goes wrong he takes the entire blame, regardless of who is responsible."[38]

In February 1936, Clark announced that, despite the successful 1935 season, he might quit professional football. He noted that time had slowed him, and he preferred pursuing a business career in his hometown of Pueblo, Colorado.[39] He took a job as the general manager of the Colorado State Fair, but wrote to the Lions in June advising that he had been granted a leave of absence to rejoin the club in August, with time to prepare for the Chicago College All-Star Game set for September 1.[40]

During the 1936 NFL season, Clark led the Lions to an 8–4 record, third-best in the NFL. For the third time in his career, Clark led the NFL in scoring with 73 points, Clark's tally coming on seven touchdowns, 19 extra points, and four field goals. He ranked second in the league with 1,095 yards of total offense. He also ranked among the NFL's leaders with 628 rushing yards (third) and 467 passing yards (sixth). For the fifth time in five years of NFL play, he was selected as the first-team All-Pro quarterback.[3] The United Press also selected Clark as the most valuable player in the NFL, citing his talents as "the smartest quarterback in football" and his multiple talents as ball carrier, passer, drop-kicker, and defensive player.[41]

At the end of the 1936 season, Clark announced that he intended to pursue a coaching position for the 1937 season.[42] Three weeks after Clark's announcement, the Lions' head coach Potsy Clark resigned to accept the head coaching job with the Brooklyn Dodgers.[43] Dutch Clark was signed the next day as the Lions' head coach, adding coaching duties to his pre-existing duties as player and team captain.[44]

During the 1937 season, Clark finished among the NFL leaders with five rushing touchdowns (first), 4.9 yards per rushing attempt (second), 468 rushing yards (fourth), and 45 points scored (fourth).[3] For the Lions' 1937 Thanksgiving Day game against the Bears, the team held a "Dutch Clark Day". Before a capacity crowd of 26,000, the Lions presented Clark with an automobile, and his wife received a platinum wristwatch set with diamonds. After the game, a punishing loss, Clark announced his retirement as a player, saying: "I'm too old. Look how long it takes me to get undressed."[45] Tod Rockwell of the Detroit Free Press wrote that, as Clark announced his retirement, he was "bruised from head to foot", his left hand was "swollen double its normal size", there were "welts on his legs, a lump over one eye, and a belt on the mouth had split open his lips in several places."[45]

After the 1937 season, Clark was named the first-team All-Pro quarterback for the sixth time.[3][46] In polling of 27 sports editors in NFL cities, Clark led all other players with 25 first-team votes.[47]

In May 1938, Clark announced that he was open to playing during the 1938 season, though he intended to play "as little as possible," and not at all if the Lions could secure the services of a satisfactory quarterback.[48] Bill Shepherd took over as the club's starting quarterback in 1938, and Clark appeared only briefly in six games, carrying the ball seven times and completing six of 12 passes.[3]

During his eight years as a player in the NFL, Clark appeared in 75 games, totaled 2,772 rushing yards, 1,507 passing yards, and 341 receiving yards, scored 42 touchdowns, kicked 72 extra points and 15 field goals, and totaled 369 points scored.[3] He held the NFL's career scoring record at the time of his retirement.[49]

Coaching career

[edit]

Colorado School of Mines

[edit]

In March 1933, Clark was hired as head football coach for the Colorado School of Mines football team.[25] He led the team to a 1–5 record during the 1933 college football season. He resigned his post in March 1934 in order to return to the NFL with the Detroit Lions.[50]

Detroit Lions

[edit]

Clark was player-coach with the Lions during the 1937 and 1938 seasons. Under his leadership, the Lions compiled identical 7–4 records and finished in second place in the NFL's West Division in both years.[51][52]

Cleveland Rams

[edit]

In December 1938, Clark resigned as head coach of the Lions and signed a two-year contract as head coach of the Cleveland Rams.[53] During the 1939 season, Clark sought permission to play for the Rams, but the NFL ruled that the Lions held rights to him as a player, rejected the Rams' request to declare Clark a free agent, and held that the Rams must strike a deal with the Lions to allow Clark to play. The Lions expressed a willingness to work something out but only if the Rams sent a player to the Lions in exchange.[54] No deal was reached, and Clark's role with the Rams in 1939 was limited to coaching. In January 1940, after the Lions were sold to new owners, the club agreed to grant Clark a players' release if he submitted a request.[55]

As head coach, Clark led the Rams to records of 5–5–1 in 1939, 4–6–1 in 1940, 2–9 in 1941, and 5–6 in 1942.[56]

In March 1943, Clark announced that he would not seek renewal of his contract as coach of the Rams.[57]

Military service and business career

[edit]

After retiring from the Rams, Clark returned to Pueblo, Colorado, where he took a job selling insurance.[58] In February 1944, Clark was accepted for limited service in the United States Army.[59] After the war, Clark continued to work in the insurance business and acquired an ownership interest in a wine merchant in Colorado Springs.[60]

Seattle Bombers

[edit]

In July 1944, Clark signed as coach of the Seattle team in the newly formed American Football League (not to be confused with the more successful American Football League of the 1960s which is now the basis of the NFL's American Football Conference) of the Pacific Coast.[61] He coached the Seattle Bombers to a 5–5–1 record in the league's only season.[62][63]

Los Angeles Dons

[edit]

In March 1949, Clark was hired as backfield coach for the Los Angeles Dons of the All-America Football Conference.[64] In December 1949, after one season with the Dons (which folded after the season, with some of the other AAFC teams merging into the NFL),[65] Clark accepted a job offer to become backfield coach with the Chicago Cardinals for the 1950 season, but that opportunity was lost days later when Buddy Parker resigned as the Cardinals' head coach.[66]

University of Detroit

[edit]

In March 1950, Clark was hired as an assistant coach of the University of Detroit Titans football team.[67] The 1950 Detroit Titans football team, with Clark as backfield coach, compiled a 6–3–1 record.[68] After the 1950 season, Chuck Baer resigned as the school's head football coach. In February 1951, Clark was promoted to the dual role of head football coach and athletic director at the University of Detroit.[69] Despite leading the Titans to records of 4–7 and 3–6 in 1951 and 1952, respectively, Clark was selected by his fellow Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) coaches as coach of the year at the end of the 1952 season.[70] In 1953, he led the Titans to a 6–4 record and a tie with Oklahoma A&M for the MVC championship.[71]

At the end of December 1953, Clark resigned as the University of Detroit's head football coach to pursue a business opportunity in Detroit.[72][73] He remain as athletic director through the end of February 1954 when his contract expired.[74]

Legacy and honors

[edit]
Entrance to Dutch Clark Stadium in Pueblo, Colorado, with Pikes Peak in the distant background.

Clark has received numerous honors for his contributions to the sport. His honors include the following:

  • In January 1940, the Associated Press (AP) selected Clark as "Football's Man of the Decade", the outstanding football player of the 1930s, beating out competitors such as Don Hutson, Sammy Baugh, and Mel Hein. In selecting Clark, the AP noted: "He could do everything. An accurate punter, a great drop-kicker, a sure tackler and a skillful, hard blocker, he was also one of the National league's better passers and had few equals as a runner. As a quarterback, he was virtually a coach on the field. Clark was not only fast but ran with a deceptive change of pace."[75]
  • In August 1950, Clark was one of 24 players selected as charter inductees into the Helms Athletic Foundation's Professional Football Hall of Fame.[76]
  • In November 1951, Clark was one of 52 inaugural inductees into the National Football Foundation's Football Hall of Fame (later renamed the College Football Hall of Fame).[77][78]
  • In May 1959, Clark was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.[79]
  • In January 1963, Clark was selected as one of the 17 inaugural inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. At the time of the announcement, Clark called it his greatest thrill since being selected as an All-American in 1928.[80]
  • In March 1965, Clark was one of three inaugural inductees (along with Byron White and Jack Dempsey) into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.[81][82]
  • In August 1969, Clark was named to the NFL 1930s All-Decade Team.[83]
  • In October 1973, Clark was selected as one of two inaugural inductees into the Greater Pueblo Sports Association's Hall of Fame.[84][85]
  • In 1980, the Pueblo Public School Stadium was renamed Earl "Dutch" Clark Stadium. A statue of Clark by the Latka Studios was added in 1985.[86]
  • In 1995, Clark was inducted posthumously, and as one of the inaugural inductees, into the Colorado College Athletic Hall of Fame.[87]
  • In November 2009, Clark was one of 12 former Detroit Lions to be included in the club's "Pride of the Lions" charter class.[88]
  • In November 2019, Clark was among 12 running backs named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.[89]

Family and later years

[edit]

In June 1930, Clark received his degree from Colorado College. Later the same day, he was married to Dorothy Schrader, a school teacher and Clark's high school sweetheart, in a ceremony at Pueblo, Colorado.[90][91] They had a son, Earl Clark Jr., born in December 1934.[92]

Clark's wife, Dorothy, died suddenly in May 1952 as the result of a stroke at age 43.[93][94] In January 1955, Clark was remarried to Ruth Jane Lowther, the widow of former Detroit Lions player Jackie Lowther. In December of that year, their son, Timothy Clark was born. Clark also became stepfather to his second wife's two sons, Charles and Thomas Lowther, ages nine and five.[95][96]

After retiring from football in the 1950s, Clark lived in Royal Oak, Michigan, and worked as a sales representative for an engineering firm.[97]

In 1975, Clark and his second wife, Ruth Jane, moved to Canon City, Colorado. In August 1978, Clark died from cancer at age 71 at his home in Canon City.[96] He was buried at Lakeside Cemetery in Canon City.

Head coaching record

[edit]

College football

[edit]
Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Colorado Mines Orediggers (Rocky Mountain Conference) (1933)
1933 Colorado Mines 1–5 1–5 10th
Colorado Mines: 1–5 1–5
Detroit Titans (Missouri Valley Conference) (1951–1953)
1951 Detroit 4–7 2–4 T–5th
1952 Detroit 3–6 1–3 4th
1953 Detroit 6–4 3–1 T–1st
Detroit: 13–18 6–8
Total: 14–22
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

College basketball

[edit]
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Colorado College Tigers (Rocky Mountain Faculty Athletic Conference) (1930–1933)
1930–31 Colorado College 14–15
1931–32 Colorado College 14–6
1932–33 Colorado College 7–12
Colorado College: 35–33
Colorado Mines Orediggers (Rocky Mountain Faculty Athletic Conference) (1933–1934)
1933–34 Colorado Mines 1–13
Colorado Mines: 1–13
Colorado Buffaloes (Rocky Mountain Faculty Athletic Conference) (1934–1935)
1934–35 Colorado 3–9 3–9
Colorado: 3–9 3–9
Total: 39–55

Professional football

[edit]
Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
DET 1937 7 4 0 .636 2nd in NFL Western – – – –
DET 1938 7 4 0 .636 2nd in NFL Western – – – –
DET Total 14 8 0 .636 – – – –
CLE 1939 5 5 1 .500 4th in NFL Western – – – –
CLE 1940 4 6 1 .409 4th in NFL Western – – – –
CLE 1941 2 9 0 .182 5th in NFL Western – – – –
CLE 1942 5 6 0 .455 3rd in NFL Western – – – –
CLE Total 16 26 2 .386 – – – –
NFL Total[98] 30 34 2 .470 – – – –
Total 30 34 2 .470 – – – –

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Dutch Clark

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Earl "Dutch" Clark (October 11, 1906 – August 5, 1978) was an , and executive best known as a pioneering triple-threat tailback and in the () during the league's early professional era. Born in Fowler, Colorado, Clark starred at , where he earned honors in 1929 as the first player from the school to achieve that distinction. After a brief hiatus following graduation to coach at the , he entered professional football in 1931 with the , later transitioning to the from 1934 to 1938, where he served as both player and player-coach. Over his seven-season NFL career, Clark appeared in 75 games, excelling in the single-wing formation as a versatile back who rushed for 2,772 yards and 36 touchdowns on 606 carries, passed for 1,507 yards and 11 touchdowns, and scored a total of 368 points, including 42 touchdowns, 15 field goals, and 71 extra points. He led the in scoring three times (1932, 1935, and 1936), earned All-NFL first-team selections in six of his seven seasons, and set a Lions single-season rushing record of 763 yards in 1934 that stood for 36 years. Renowned for his drop-kicking prowess—he is believed to be the last NFL player to successfully dropkick a field goal in a game—Clark's exceptional instincts compensated for his poor eyesight, making him one of the league's most dynamic and toughest players during the 1930s. Beyond playing, Clark's coaching career included leading the Lions from 1937 to 1938, the in 1939, and the [Los Angeles Dons](/page/Los Angeles_Dons) of the from 1946 to 1947, though his professional teams had mixed success, with several seasons below .500. He was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for and recognized as Football's Man of the Decade for that era in 1940. Clark's contributions to the sport were honored with induction into the as part of its inaugural Class of 1963, as well as the in 1951 and the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1965.

Early life and education

Early life

Earl Harry "Dutch" Clark was born on October 11, 1906, on a farm near Fowler, Colorado, to Harry J. Clark, a farmer originally from Michigan, and Mary Etta Lackey Clark, a native of North Carolina. He grew up in a rural environment that fostered physical activity, with his family including older siblings Mabel May (born 1899), Carl Reed (born 1901), and Fred George (born 1903), as well as a younger sister Pearl (born 1919). This farm upbringing provided early opportunities for outdoor play and informal athletics, shaping his athletic development before the family relocated to Pueblo, Colorado, in 1917 when Clark was 10 years old. In , attended Central High School starting in 1923, where he quickly emerged as a multi-sport standout, earning 16 letters across football, , , track, and from 1923 to 1926. As a three-year starter at in football, he led the Wildcats to a 22-3-1 record and earned all-state honors, showcasing his skills as a sharp-minded leader and versatile athlete in local leagues. In , was a three-year starter who averaged 14.6 points per game as a senior, captaining the team to the 1926 state championship and a second-place finish in the national tournament, also securing all-state recognition. Clark's prowess extended to , where he excelled as a and , and to track, where he set school and South Central League records in the shot put and discus events. He also competed in as a singles player, rounding out his reputation as one of the most accomplished high school athletes in history. These achievements at Central High School, graduating in 1926, laid the foundation for his transition to college athletics.

College career

Clark enrolled at in 1927 after a brief, homesickness-induced departure from , drawn back to his home state by a booster-funded . He majored in and graduated with a degree in June 1930. Building on his high school athletic foundation at Pueblo Central, Clark quickly established himself as a standout multi-sport athlete for the Tigers. In football, Clark served as and tailback from 1927 to 1929, also playing linebacker, , and kicker in an era of single-wing formations that demanded versatility. During his junior year in 1928, he rushed for 1,359 yards on 135 carries (averaging 10.1 yards per carry) and scored 103 points, leading the (RMAC) in scoring for the third straight season. That performance earned him first-team All-American honors from the , making him the first player from any or university to receive such recognition. He was a three-time All-RMAC selection overall. Clark's reputation as a versatile athlete extended beyond football; he earned 12 varsity letters across four sports from 1927 to 1929, securing all-conference honors in each. In , he contributed as a guard; in , he played outfield; and in , he competed in sprints and jumps, showcasing his speed and explosiveness. His multi-sport prowess highlighted his athletic dominance at the small institution, where he helped elevate the Tigers' programs. Key games underscored Clark's leadership and skill. As a freshman, he scored four touchdowns against Colorado State. In 1928 against Wyoming, he rushed for 381 yards, completed 8 of 15 passes for 200 yards, and tallied 36 points in a 48-25 victory. His senior year featured a drop-kicked from 38 yards that accounted for all of Colorado College's points in a 3-2 upset win over the , as well as both touchdowns in a 13-0 of Colorado Mines. These performances solidified his legacy as a triple-threat tailback capable of impacting games through rushing, passing, and kicking. Following graduation, Clark stayed at Colorado College for the 1930–1931 academic year as an assistant football coach and head basketball coach, marking the beginning of his coaching career before pursuing professional opportunities.

Playing career

Portsmouth Spartans

After earning All-American honors at , Dutch Clark transitioned to professional football by signing with the in 1931, where he served as the team's tailback—functioning as the on-field by calling plays—and placekicker. This move came shortly after he had begun assistant coaching duties at his , from which he received a to pursue the pro opportunity amid the nascent NFL's growing appeal for college stars. Clark quickly adapted to the professional level's physical demands and single-wing formations, showcasing his versatility as a triple-threat player capable of rushing, passing, and kicking. In his 1931 season, he appeared in 11 games, starting seven, and led the Spartans with nine rushing touchdowns en route to 60 points scored, earning first-team recognition while helping the team achieve an 11-3 record and second-place finish in the . The following year, , Clark again earned first-team honors—his second of six career selections—and led the league in scoring with 55 points from six total touchdowns (three rushing and three receiving), including 461 rushing yards on 137 carries despite the team's 6-2-4 mark and third-place standing. His contributions extended to key matchups against rivals like the and , where he demonstrated strategic play-calling and kicking accuracy to keep competitive in tight games. During Clark's tenure, the Spartans operated as a midwestern NFL franchise in the small industrial city of , drawing modest crowds amid the Great Depression's economic hardships that strained team finances with attendances often limited to 4,000-5,000 fans per home game. These struggles, compounded by low revenues and regional competition, foreshadowed the franchise's relocation to after the 1933 season, though Clark himself stepped away from playing that year to focus on coaching.

Detroit Lions

After retiring from full-time playing following the 1936 season, Dutch Clark served as player-coach for the Detroit Lions in 1937, marking the beginning of his head coaching tenure with the team. In this dual role, he guided the Lions to a 7–4 record in 1937, finishing second in the Western Division and demonstrating solid performance amid increasing league parity. The following year, 1938, the team again posted a 7–4 mark under Clark's direction, securing second place despite mounting injuries to key contributors, including Clark himself. Over his two seasons as head coach, Clark compiled a 14–8 record with the Lions, contributing to his overall NFL coaching ledger of 30–34–2 across multiple teams. Clark's tactical approach emphasized a balanced, offense-oriented rooted in his own background as a triple-threat tailback proficient in rushing, passing, and kicking. He prioritized versatile play-calling to exploit defensive weaknesses, fostering an "infantry attack" that relied on ground gains and opportunistic aerial plays, much like the dynamic style that had defined his playing career. In mentoring emerging talent, Clark focused on developing ball-handlers such as fullback Clarence "Ace" Gutowsky and halfback Ernie Caddel, instilling discipline and strategic awareness to maintain the Lions' competitive edge in a league dominated by power-running squads. The stint was not without significant challenges, as Clark juggled the demands of playing and in an of grueling schedules and limited roster depth. transitions, including the integration of younger players to replace aging veterans from the 1935 championship roster, strained resources, while fierce competition from powerhouses like the and tested the Lions' consistency. An injury-plagued season further hampered performance, limiting Clark's on-field contributions and exacerbating the dual-role pressures. These factors culminated in his departure after the campaign, when Clark retired from playing due to persistent injuries and accepted a head position with the expansion , seeking a fresh start unencumbered by playing duties.

Coaching career

Colorado School of Mines

In March 1933, shortly after concluding his playing career with the , Dutch Clark was hired as the head football coach at the , marking his initial full-time coaching position. During the 1933 season, Clark led the Orediggers to a 1–5 record, with the team's sole victory coming against the Colorado Agricultural College (now ). As a small engineering institution focused on mining education in , the school presented significant challenges for its athletics program, including limited resources and enrollment primarily drawn from in-state students interested in technical fields rather than sports. Clark also took on the role of head basketball coach at for the 1933–34 season, guiding the team through a Mountain States Athletic Conference schedule. The basketball squad finished with a 1–13 overall record, reflecting the program's nascent stage and the difficulties in building competitiveness at a specialized technical school with a small student body of around 500. His multi-sport background from , where he had excelled in football, basketball, baseball, and track, allowed Clark to contribute to overall team development by emphasizing fundamentals and versatility among players, many of whom were local recruits balancing rigorous academic demands.

Detroit Lions

After retiring from full-time playing following the 1936 season, Dutch Clark returned to the Detroit Lions in 1937 as player-coach, marking the beginning of his head coaching tenure with the team. In this dual role, he guided the Lions to a 7–4 record in 1937, finishing third in the Western Division and demonstrating solid performance amid increasing league parity. The following year, 1938, the team again posted a 7–4 mark under Clark's direction, securing another third-place standing despite mounting injuries to key contributors, including Clark himself. Over his two seasons as head coach, Clark compiled a 14–8 record with the Lions, contributing to his overall NFL coaching ledger of 30–34–2 across multiple teams. Clark's tactical approach emphasized a balanced, offense-oriented rooted in his own background as a triple-threat tailback proficient in rushing, passing, and kicking. He prioritized versatile play-calling to exploit defensive weaknesses, fostering an "infantry attack" that relied on ground gains and opportunistic aerial plays, much like the dynamic style that had defined his . In mentoring emerging talent, Clark focused on developing ball-handlers such as fullback Clarence "Ace" Gutowsky and halfback Ernie Caddel, instilling discipline and strategic awareness to maintain the Lions' competitive edge in a league dominated by power-running squads. The stint was not without significant challenges, as Clark juggled the demands of playing and in an of grueling schedules and limited roster depth. Team transitions, including the integration of younger players to replace aging veterans from the 1935 championship roster, strained resources, while fierce competition from powerhouses like the and tested the Lions' consistency. An injury-plagued season further hampered performance, limiting Clark's on-field contributions and exacerbating the dual-role pressures. These factors culminated in his departure after the campaign, when Clark retired from playing due to persistent injuries and accepted a head position with the expansion , seeking a fresh start unencumbered by playing duties.

Cleveland Rams

In December 1938, Earl "Dutch" Clark, fresh from his player-coach role with the , signed a two-year contract to become of the , a franchise struggling with mediocrity since its founding in 1936. His hiring came amid the NFL's early preparations for potential wartime challenges posed by , though the full impact of player shortages would not hit until later in his tenure. Clark aimed to instill discipline and leverage his playing background to turn around the team's fortunes. Over four seasons from 1939 to 1942, Clark compiled a record of 16 wins, 26 losses, and 2 ties, with yearly marks of 5–5–1, 4–6–1, 2–9, and 5–6, respectively. The finished no higher than third in the Western Division and made no playoff appearances, hampered by inconsistent talent and injuries. In response to emerging player shortages due to military enlistments—particularly acute by 1942—Clark adapted by emphasizing versatile lineups and relying on undrafted local talent, such as blocking back Chet Adams, to maintain competitiveness in a league roiled by the . Notable events included a 1939 tie against the that highlighted the team's defensive grit and a 1942 upset win over the , demonstrating resilience amid roster instability. Clark's tenure laid foundational elements for the franchise, including improved and player development that contributed to the ' eventual 1945 NFL championship under successor Adam Walsh, after the team suspended operations for the 1943 season due to wartime constraints. In , amid escalating league disruptions, Clark opted not to renew his , ending his NFL head coaching career on a note of steady, if unspectacular, progress.

Los Angeles Dons and Seattle Bombers

After his tenure with the , Dutch Clark returned to professional football coaching in 1944 as head coach of the Seattle Bombers in the American Football League's division. The Bombers compiled a 5-5-1 record that season, finishing third in their division amid a league disrupted by travel restrictions and player shortages. Clark's team featured a balanced offense led by players like Jim Hardy and fullback Bill Osmanski, but they struggled against stronger opponents like the Hollywood Rangers, highlighting the challenges of regional pro football during wartime. In 1949, Clark joined the (AAFC) as backfield coach for the under head coach Jimmy Phelan, contributing to the team's offensive strategies in the league's final season before its merger with the . The Dons finished with a 4-8 record, placing fifth in the seven-team league, but showed competitiveness in high-scoring games typical of the AAFC's emphasis on open offenses and passing attacks. Key player Glenn Dobbs, a versatile tailback and , exemplified the league's innovative style under Clark's guidance; Dobbs passed for 825 yards and 4 touchdowns while rushing for 161 yards and 3 touchdowns, helping the Dons average over 20 points per game despite defensive woes. Clark's involvement with the AAFC came at a time when was pioneering elements like unlimited free substitution and specialized roles, which reduced the reliance on two-way players and boosted offensive innovation compared to the . As backfield coach, focused on play-calling and running schemes that leveraged Dobbs' single-wing expertise, contributing to the Dons' attempts to challenge established teams like the , though financial strains across the AAFC ultimately led to its dissolution after the 1949 season. The Dons folded without transitioning to the , marking the end of Clark's professional coaching stints in alternative leagues.

University of Detroit

In 1951, Earl "Dutch" Clark was appointed head football coach and athletic director at the University of Detroit, a Jesuit institution, following his service as backfield coach for the Titans in 1950. This role came after his earlier college coaching experience at in 1933, where he had a 1–5 record. Over three seasons from 1951 to 1953, Clark guided the Titans to an overall record of 13–17, competing in the (MVC) amid a challenging Midwest recruiting environment dominated by larger programs. The 1951 team finished 4–7 (2–4 MVC), struggling with consistency in a 11-game schedule. In 1952, the Titans posted a 3–6 mark (1–3 MVC), yet Clark was honored as MVC Coach of the Year for his development of the offense, highlighted by Ted Marchibroda's NCAA single-game passing record of 390 yards against Tulsa. Clark's tenure culminated in 1953 with a 6–4 record (3–1 MVC), earning a share of the conference championship alongside Oklahoma State after a pivotal 27–14 victory over the Cowboys. This improvement reflected his emphasis on discipline drawn from his professional playing and coaching background, though the program faced ongoing hurdles in talent acquisition within the competitive regional landscape. Clark resigned as following the 1953 season to focus on other pursuits, remaining as until 1954 and leaving a legacy of offensive at the despite modest overall success.

Interruptions and other pursuits

Military service

In February 1944, at the age of 37, Earl "Dutch" Clark was accepted for limited service in the United States Army by his local draft board in . His induction was restricted due to a vision deficiency in one eye that did not meet standards for general service, compounded by lingering injuries from his extensive football career. Clark's military tenure was brief, serving in a non-combat capacity during the final stages of . This period marked a temporary interruption in his civilian pursuits, following his resignation from coaching the in 1943 to enter the insurance business. Upon discharge after the war's end, Clark resumed his involvement in professional football, returning to coaching roles that intertwined with his business interests in .

Business ventures

Following his discharge from military service in 1945, Earl "Dutch" Clark established himself in the industry in , where he worked as a representative. By 1943, while still involved in pursuits, Clark had already begun selling in , leveraging his local reputation to build a successful career in the field. His experience in and contributed to , allowing him to transition smoothly into post-athletic endeavors. In 1945, Clark expanded his entrepreneurial activities by becoming co-owner of a wine shop in nearby Springs, marking an early venture into retail business ownership. This move complemented his work and reflected his interest in diversifying streams during the post-war economic recovery. The wine merchant enterprise, though modest, provided additional revenue and highlighted Clark's adaptability in business. Later in his career, after retiring from football-related roles in the 1950s, Clark relocated to , where he served as a sales representative for an engineering firm, continuing his pattern of -oriented professional pursuits. Throughout his business years, Clark occasionally participated in speaking engagements at banquets and community events, drawing on his football fame to inspire audiences and maintain public connections. For instance, in 1949, he was the principal speaker at a Harbor Area Association banquet in San Pedro, California. These appearances, often tied to his athletic legacy, supplemented his and reinforced his status as a respected figure in circles.

Legacy

Honors and awards

Earl "Dutch" Clark was inducted into the in 1951, recognizing his outstanding performance as a triple-threat at , where he scored in nearly every game over three varsity seasons and amassed 105 points. In 1963, Clark became a charter member of the , honoring his versatility as a player who excelled in rushing, passing, and kicking during his NFL career with the and . Clark earned six First-Team selections from 1931 to 1932 and 1934 to 1937, as recognized by major outlets including the , reflecting his dominance as a tailback and in an era of iron-man football. He was named to the 1930s All-Decade Team in 1969, selected as one of the top quarterbacks of the period for his leadership in guiding the Lions to the 1935 championship. Clark led the NFL in scoring three times, with 55 points in 1932, 55 points in 1935, and 73 points in 1936, primarily through touchdowns, field goals, and extra points as the league's premier drop-kicker. In 1965, he was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, celebrating his contributions to football and other sports in his home state. The retired Clark's number 7 jersey, the first such honor in franchise history, in recognition of his pivotal role in the team's early success. In 2019, Clark was selected as one of 12 running backs on the 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, affirming his place among the league's historical elite. In 2024, Clark was named to the East-West All-Century Team as Colorado's first All-American .

Impact and recognition

Dutch Clark's pioneering role in professional football extended across multiple leagues and eras, establishing him as a foundational figure in the sport's development during its formative years. As one of the earliest stars in the , Clark exemplified the triple-threat archetype, seamlessly blending rushing, passing, and kicking duties while serving as the on-field play-caller for teams like the and . His versatility influenced the evolution of the position into a hybrid role that demanded athleticism beyond mere signal-calling, a model that persisted in the single-wing formations prevalent in the 1930s. Clark's transition to coaching in both the and the rival (AAFC) further amplified his impact; he led the in the AAFC, contributing to the competitive landscape that pressured the to modernize and expand. In contemporary assessments, Clark's legacy endures through scholarly and institutional recognition that highlights his contributions to early pro football. Selected as a running back for the NFL's 100th Anniversary All-Time Team in 2019, he stands alongside legends like , underscoring his lasting influence on the game's positional demands. Books such as Chris Willis's Dutch Clark: The Life of an NFL Legend and the Birth of the (2012) analyze his role in elevating the Lions' profile and popularizing professional football in the Midwest, drawing on archival accounts to portray Clark as a bridge between college and pro eras. Articles in outlets like Springsmag emphasize his integration of multi-sport coaching—overseeing the football program at the University of —addressing historical gaps in how athletes like him professionalized cross-disciplinary training and team management. Clark's cultural significance as a symbol of gridiron era is rooted in his resilience and regional pride, particularly in , where he forged enduring ties. Nicknamed the "" for his dynamic play despite vision impairments, he embodied the grit of Depression-era athletics, inspiring narratives of perseverance in early lore. His connections remain prominent: the state's first All-American from a local college, Clark's legacy prompted the renaming of Pueblo's stadium as Dutch Clark Stadium in 1980, and his multi-sport prowess at continues to influence youth programs there, reinforcing his status as a pioneer who elevated regional talent to national prominence.

Personal life

Family

Clark was born on October 11, 1906, in Fowler, Colorado, the fourth of five children to Harry J. Clark, an engineer for the Colorado & Wyoming Railroad, and Mary Etta Clark, who managed the household and raised the family. His siblings included older brothers Carl and Fred and older sister Mabel, and younger sister Pearl; the family relocated to , in 1917 when Clark was 10 years old, where his father continued railroad work until his death in 1924. The siblings' close-knit upbringing in rural and later urban Pueblo instilled a strong work ethic, influenced by their parents' dedication amid economic challenges in the early . In 1930, shortly after graduating from , Clark married Dorothy L. Schrader, his high school sweetheart and a schoolteacher from Pueblo Central High School, in a ceremony in . The couple had one son, Earl Clark Jr., born in December 1934. Dorothy died suddenly in 1952 at age 43 from a . Clark remarried in 1955 to Ruth Jane Lowther, a widow whose first husband, Russell Jack "Jackie" Lowther, a former player, had died young; the couple welcomed their son, Timothy Clark, later that year in December. Through this marriage, Clark became stepfather to Ruth's two young sons from her previous union, Charles and Thomas Lowther, then aged nine and five. Throughout Clark's professional football and coaching career, his family provided steadfast support amid frequent relocations and travel demands, maintaining close ties despite his moves between , (during his tenure and University of Detroit coaching), and (for the ). The family resided primarily in these states, with early years in and later stability in after retirement, reflecting the adaptability shaped by Clark's nomadic athletic pursuits.

Later years and death

After resigning as head football coach and athletic director at the University of Detroit in early 1954 to pursue business opportunities, Clark worked as a sales representative for an engineering firm in , specializing in tools and machinery. He retired from this position in 1963 and settled into a quieter life in suburban , where he enjoyed playing —achieving a handicap as low as 2—and , while occasionally attending alumni events to connect with former teammates. Supported by his second wife, Ruth Lowther, whom he married after the death of his first wife Dorothy in 1952, Clark maintained a low profile, focusing on family and leisure rather than public engagements. In 1976, seeking a return to his native after growing weary of Michigan's urban pace, Clark and his wife relocated to Cañon City, where they built a home for a more relaxed lifestyle amid the familiar landscapes of his youth. There, he continued his leisure pursuits, avidly watching professional football games on television and reflecting on his career in occasional interviews, once remarking on his durability as a player: "I was made of Indian rubber, guess. I could run all day." Clark engaged minimally in local community activities, preferring private enjoyment of the region's outdoor offerings over formal involvement. Clark's health declined in his final years when he was diagnosed with cancer in October 1977. He battled the disease at home in Cañon City until his death on August 5, 1978, at the age of 71. He was buried at Lakeside Cemetery in Cañon City. Clark was survived by his wife Ruth, two sons, two stepsons, and two sisters; his estate arrangements emphasized family support, with no major public endowments or foundations established in his name.

Head coaching record

College football

Dutch Clark compiled a head coaching record of 14–22 (.389) in college football over four seasons at two institutions. His year-by-year record is summarized in the following table:
YearSchoolOverall (W-L-T)Conference (W-L-T)Conference Standing
1933Colorado School of Mines1–5–01–5–0 (RMC)Not specified
1951University of Detroit4–7–02–4–0 (MVC)Tied for 5th
1952University of Detroit3–6–01–3–0 (MVC)4th
1953University of Detroit6–4–03–1–0 (MVC)Tied for 1st
Notes: RMC = Rocky Mountain Conference; MVC = Missouri Valley Conference. Data sourced from official athletics records and conference summaries. At in 1933, Clark took over a program in the Rocky Mountain Conference, guiding the Orediggers to a 1–5 overall mark with losses to regional rivals including the and Colorado State. The single conference win provided limited success in a competitive league, but Clark's brief tenure laid groundwork for future development at the small mining school. Clark's longer stint at the University of from 1951 to 1953 marked a period of program stabilization in the . The Titans started with a 4–7 record in 1951, tying for fifth place amid a rebuilding phase following prior struggles. In 1952, they improved slightly to 3–6 overall but finished fourth in conference play. The 1953 season represented a high point, with a 6–4 record and a 3–1 conference mark that earned a shared MVC championship alongside Oklahoma A&M, highlighted by key victories including a 20–7 upset over the Cowboys. Although no outright titles or postseason appearances occurred, Clark's leadership fostered talent development and competitive balance, contributing to the Titans' emergence as a mid-tier conference contender during his era.

College basketball

Clark served as head basketball coach at three institutions in the Mountain States Athletic Conference (MSAC), compiling an overall record of 39–55 over five seasons from 1930 to 1935. His tenure began immediately after his playing career at , where he had excelled as a multi-sport in football, , , and track. At from 1930 to 1933, Clark guided the Tigers to a 35–33 mark, with varying success across his three seasons. In the 1930–31 season, the team finished 14–15 overall and 5–9 in conference play. The following year, 1931–32, marked his most successful campaign, as achieved a 14–6 overall record and 10–4 in the MSAC, placing third in the Eastern Division standings. The 1932–33 season ended on a lower note at 7–12 overall and 6–8 in conference. Clark's brief stint at the in 1933–34 yielded a challenging 1–13 record, with the same mark in MSAC play, reflecting the program's struggles during that period. He then moved to the for the 1934–35 season, where the Buffaloes posted a 3–9 overall and conference record under his leadership.
SeasonSchoolOverall RecordConference RecordConference Finish
1930–3114–155–9 (MSAC)—
1931–3214–610–4 (MSAC)3rd (Eastern Division)
1932–337–126–8 (MSAC)—
1933–341–131–13 (MSAC)—
1934–353–93–9 (MSAC)—

Professional football

Clark served as a for the in the () before transitioning to full-time head coaching roles in professional football. His overall head coaching record in professional football was 35 wins, 39 losses, and 3 ties, for a of .474, spanning seven seasons across the and (AFL). No playoff appearances occurred under his leadership. The following table summarizes Clark's year-by-year professional head coaching record:
YearTeamLeagueWinsLossesTiesWinning %Division Finish
1937Detroit LionsNFL740.6363rd (Western)
1938Detroit LionsNFL740.6362nd (Western)
1939Cleveland RamsNFL551.5004th (Western)
1940Cleveland RamsNFL461.4004th (Western)
1941Cleveland RamsNFL290.1825th (Western)
1942Cleveland RamsNFL560.4553rd (Western)
1944Seattle BombersAFL551.5003rd
Total35393.474
Clark's tenure with the Lions in 1937 and 1938 built on his playing success, achieving consistent finishes in a competitive Western Division amid the league's expansion and growing popularity. With the from 1939 to 1942, his teams faced increasing challenges as began impacting player availability, leading to roster instability and varied performance; the 1941 season was particularly poor due to military enlistments depleting talent across the . In 1944, Clark coached the Seattle Bombers of the AFL to a 5–5–1 record, finishing third in the league's only season. Postwar, Clark contributed to professional football as an assistant coach with the of the (AAFC) in 1949, during the league's final season before its merger discussions with the , though he did not hold a head coaching position there.

References

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