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Nathan D. Clements (born December 12, 1979) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft with the 21st overall pick, and also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

Clements declared for the 2001 NFL draft and was regarded as one of the top prospects. Prior to his junior season, Clements was ranked as the second best cornerback in the upcoming draft by NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. and was also ranked as the 23rd overall prospect regardless of position by Mel Kiper Jr.[3] He attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana, but opted to only perform the bench press and 40-yard dash. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Clements was projected to be a first round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the top cornerback prospect by DraftScout.com.[4]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash Bench press
5 ft 11+1⁄8 in
(1.81 m)		 209 lb
(95 kg)		 4.37 s 20 reps
All values from NFL Combine[5][3][4]

Buffalo Bills

[edit]

The Buffalo Bills selected Clements in the first round (21st overall) of the 2001 NFL draft.[6] Clements was the first cornerback drafted in 2001.[7]

2001

[edit]

On July 27, 2001, the Buffalo Bills signed Clements to a five-year, $6.70 million contract that includes $3.17 million guaranteed.[8][9]

Throughout training camp, Clements competed to be a starting cornerback against Lance Brown, Ken Irvin, and Jimmy Williams.[10][11] Head coach Gregg Williams named Clements the third cornerback on the depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Antoine Winfield and Ken Irvin.[12] He was also named the starting kick returner to begin his rookie season.[13]

He made his professional regular season debut in the Buffalo Bills' season-opener against the New Orleans Saints and recorded one solo tackle in their 24–6 loss. On September 23, 2001, Clements made one tackle, deflected a pass, and returned his first career interception for a touchdown during their 42–26 loss at the Indianapolis Colts. He intercepted a pass by quarterback Peyton Manning and returned it for a 61-yard touchdown in the third quarter to mark the first score of his career.[14] On October 18, 2001, Clements earned his first career start after he surpassed Ken Irvin on the depth chart. He recorded three solo tackles and broke up a pass in the Bills' 13–10 win at the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5. In Week 8, Clements collected three combined tackles, deflected a pass, and returned a punt for a 66-yard touchdown during the second quarter of a 30–24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.[15] In Week 14, he collected three combined tackles and made his first career sack on quarterback Tom Brady during a 12–9 loss at the New England Patriots.[16] On December 23, 2001, Clements collected a season-high 11 solo tackles, a season-high three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Michael Vick in the Bills' 33–30 loss at the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15.[17] He completed his rookie season in 2001 with 63 combined tackles (53 solo), ten pass deflections, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, a sack, and a touchdown in 16 games and 11 starts. He also had 30 kick returns for 628-yards and four punt returns for 81-yards and a touchdown.[18]

2002

[edit]

Defensive coordinator Jerry Gray chose to retain Clements and Antoine Winfield as the starting cornerbacks in 2002.[19] On October 20, 2002, he recorded four solo tackles, four pass deflections, three interceptions, and a touchdown during a 20–13 victory at the Miami Dolphins in Week 7. He intercepted three passes by quarterback Ray Lucas and returned an interception by Lucas for a 29-yard touchdown in the second quarter.[20] In Week 12, Clements collected a season-high ten combined tackles (eight solo) and broke up a pass in the Bills' 31–13 loss at the New York Jets. On December 29, 2002, Clements had a season-high five pass deflections, nine combined tackles, and an interception during a 27–9 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17.[21] Clements finished his second season with 65 combined tackles (52 solo), 13 pass deflections, a career-high six interceptions, and a touchdown 16 games and 16 starts.[18]

2003

[edit]

Head coach Gregg Williams retained Clements and Antoine Winfield as the starting cornerback tandem in 2003.[22] On September 21, 2003, Clements recorded four solo tackles, two pass deflections, and two interceptions during a 17–7 loss at the Miami Dolphins in Week 3. He made both interceptions off pass attempts by Jay Fiedler and returned one for a 54-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.[23] In Week 5, he collected a season-high seven combined tackles and a pass deflection in the Bills' 22–16 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals.[24] He finished the 2003 season with a total of 61 combined tackles (51 solo), four pass deflections, three interceptions, and a touchdown in 16 games and 16 starts.[18] He also returned 14 punts for 137 yards in 2003.[25]

2004

[edit]

The Buffalo Bills chose not to renew Gregg Williams after finishing with a 6–10 record and not qualifying for the playoffs for a third consecutive season. The Buffalo Bills' new head coach Mike Mularkey retained Clements as a starting cornerback to begin the season, along with newly acquired free agent Troy Vincent.[26] In Week 2, Clements collected a season-high seven solo tackles during a 13–10 loss at the Oakland Raiders. On October 31, 2004, he recorded a season-high nine combined tackles and was credited with half a tackle in a 38–14 victory against the Arizona Cardinals. On November 21, 2004, Clements recorded five combined tackles, broke up a pass, and returned a punt for a touchdown for the first time in his career during a 37–17 victory against the St. Louis Rams. He returned a punt by Sean Landeta for an 85-yard touchdown in the third quarter.[27] In Week 17, he recorded five solo tackles, a pass deflection, and returned an interception by rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for a 30-yard touchdown in the Bills' 29–24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The touchdown extended his streak to four consecutive seasons with a pick six. He completed the 2004 season with 73 combined tackles (53 solo), seven pass deflections, a career-high six interceptions, a touchdown, and was credited with half a sack in 16 games and 16 starts.[18] Clements also had 35 punt returns for 327-yards and a touchdown.[28]

On January 28, 2005, Clements was named as a late replacement to the 2005 Pro Bowl. He replaced Kansas City Chiefs' cornerback Patrick Surtain who was himself replacing Baltimore Ravens' Chris McAlister. Both players were unavailable to play due to injuries.[29]

2005

[edit]

Head coach Mike Mularkey retained Clements as a starting cornerback in 2005, along with Terrence McGee. On November 20, 2005, Clements collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (nine solo) during a 48–10 loss at the San Diego Chargers in Week 11. In Week 14, he tied his season-high of 11 combined tackles (nine solo), deflected a pass, and made an interception in the Bills' 35–7 loss to the New England Patriots.[30] He completed the 2005 season with 99 combined tackles (78 solo), 13 pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions in 16 games and 16 starts.[18]

2006

[edit]

On January 13, 2006, Buffalo Bills' head coach Mike Mularkey unexpectedly resigned from his role after a 5–11 campaign in 2005.[31] On February 22, 2006, the Buffalo Bills' general manager Marv Levy announced that the Bills would apply their franchise tag to Clements for the 2006 season.[32] On May 7, 2006, Clements signed a one-year, $7.20 million tender to remain with the Buffalo Bills.[33] The Buffalo Bills' new head coach, Dick Jauron, officially named Clements the No. 1 starting cornerback entering the regular season, alongside Terrence McGee.[34]

On November 5, 2006, Clements collected a season-high nine combined tackles and deflected a pass during a 24–10 win against the Green Bay Packers.[35] In Week 11, he made four combined tackles, a season-high three pass deflections, and an interception during a 24–21 win at the Houston Texans.[35] In Week 14, Clements collected five combined tackles, a pass deflection, and returned an interception for a 58-yard touchdown in the Bills' 31–13 win at the New York Jets in Week 14.[35] He finished the season with 70 combined tackles (54 solo), a career-high 16 pass deflections, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a touchdown in 16 games and 16 starts.[18]

San Francisco 49ers

[edit]

2007

[edit]

On March 2, 2007, the San Francisco 49ers signed Clements to an eight-year, $80 million contract with $22 million guaranteed.[36] The contract made him the highest paid defensive player in league history in 2007.

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

Clements became part of a revamped secondary that finished 27th in passing yards the previous season. Head coach Mike Nolan officially named Clements the No. 1 starting cornerback to start the season, along with cornerback Walt Harris and safeties Michael Lewis and Mark Roman.[37]

In Week 2, Clements collected six solo tackles and sacked quarterback Marc Bulger in the 49ers' 17–16 win at the St. Louis Rams.[38] On November 25, 2007, Clements collected a season-high ten combined tackles (eight solo) and a pass deflection during a 37–31 victory at the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13.[38] On December 23, 2007, he recorded seven combined tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception during a 21–19 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[38] Clements finished the season with 92 combined tackles (77 solo), 14 pass deflections, four interceptions, three forced fumbles, and a sack in 16 games and 16 starts.[18]

2008

[edit]

Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky retained Clements and Walt Harris as the starting cornerbacks in 2008.[39] On September 14, 2008, Clements collected a season-high seven solo tackles and deflected a pass in a 33–30 win at the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2.[40] On October 19, 2008, he recorded five combined tackles, a pass deflection, and returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown during the 49ers' 29–17 loss to the New York Giants. Clements recovered the ball and returned it 74-yards for a touchdown in the third quarter after linebacker Manny Lawson blocked a field goal attempt by Giants' kicker John Carney.[41] On October 21, 2008, the San Francisco 49ers fired head coach Mike Nolan after they fell to a 2–5 record. Assistant head coach/linebackers coach Mike Singletary was named the interim head coach for the remaining ten games. In Week 13, he collected six solo tackles during a 10–3 win at his former team, the Buffalo Bills.[40] During the game, Clements injured his thumb and was inactive for the 49ers' Week 14 victory against the New York Jets.[40] This became the first time in Clement's professional career that he was inactive. His injury ended his streaks of 119 consecutive game appearances and 115 consecutive starts.[42] In Week 17, Clements tied his season-high of seven solo tackles and also deflected a pass in a 27–24 win at the Washington Redskins.[40] Clements finished the 2008 season with 63 combined tackles (56 solo), nine passes defensed, two interceptions, and a forced fumble in 15 games and 15 starts.[18]

2009

[edit]

The San Francisco 49ers' new head coach, Mike Singletary, officially named Clements the No. 1 cornerback to start the 2009 regular season, opposite Tarell Brown.[43] He started in the San Francisco 49ers' season-opener at the Arizona Cardinals and five combined tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception in their 20–16 victory. The following week, Clements made six combined tackles and a season-high four pass deflections during a 23–10 win against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2.[44] On September 27, 2009, Clements recorded four combined tackles and returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown in the 49ers' 27–24 loss at the Minnesota Vikings. Clements recovered the ball and returned it for a 59-yard touchdown after it kicker Ryan Longwell's attempt was blocked by Ray McDonald in the second quarter.[45] He joined Kevin Ross as the only players in NFL history return a blocked field goal for a touchdown on two separate occasions. On November 1, 2009, Clements suffered a right shoulder injury in the first quarter of a Week 8 loss at the Indianapolis Colts and exited the game. He sustained the injury after he was tackled by Philip Wheeler and Jerraud Powers while returning a punt in the second quarter. Many media members called into question head coach Mike Singletary's decision to place Clements in the punt return role due to his substantial contract and importance in the secondary. Clements took over punt return duties from Arnaz Battle who had disappointing performances after replacing recently released Pro Bowl return specialist Allen Rossum.[46] Former head coach Mike Nolan was asked upon Clements signing about the possibility of Clements returning punt and immediately rejected the idea stating, "Not even maybe." On November 3, 2009, it was reported that Clements sustained a broken right scapula to his right shoulder and was expected to miss the remainder of the season.[47] Head coach Mike Singletary elected to not place Clements on injured reserve for the rest of the season in hopes of a possible late season or playoff return. He finished the 2009 season with 35 combined tackles (30 solo), seven passes defensed, and an interception in seven games and six starts.[18]

2010

[edit]

Head coach Mike Singletary retained Clements as the 49ers' No. 1 starting cornerback to start the season, alongside Shawntae Spencer.[48] On September 26, 2010, Clements collected a season-high nine solo tackles in the 49ers' 31–10 loss at the Kansas City Chiefs. In Week 7, he collected a season-high tying nine combined tackles and a sack in a 23–20 loss at the Carolina Panthers.[49] On December 27, 2010, the San Francisco 49ers fired head coach Mike Singletary after the team fell to a 5–10 record. He finished the season with 82 combined tackles (72 solo), ten pass deflections, three interceptions in 16 games and 16 starts.[18]

2011

[edit]

On July 28, 2011, the San Francisco 49ers released Clements.[50]

Cincinnati Bengals

[edit]

2011

[edit]

On July 30, 2011, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Clements to a two-year, $10.5 million contract with $6 million guaranteed and a $2 million signing bonus.[8]

Clements in training camp, 2012

Head coach Marvin Lewis named Clements and Leon Hall the starting cornerbacks to start the 2011 regular season.[51] In Week 9, he collected a season-high seven solo tackles during a 24–10 win at the Tennessee Titans. On December 18, 2011, Clements tied his season-high of seven solo tackles and made a sack in the Bengals' 20–13 victory at the St. Louis Rams.[52] He finished the 2012 season with 55 combined tackles (49 solo), 12 passes defensed, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a sack in 15 games and 15 starts.[18]

The Cincinnati Bengals finished third in the AFC North with a 9–7 record, but clinched a wildcard berth as the sixth seed in the NFC. On January 7, 2011, Clements started in his first career playoff game and recorded three solo tackles and a pass deflection in the Bengals' 31–10 loss at the Houston Texans in the AFC Wildcard Game.[52]

2012

[edit]

Clements entered training camp slated as a starting cornerback, but saw competition from Terence Newman, Jason Allen, Adam "Pacman" Jones, and Dre Kirkpatrick. Clements was one of six cornerbacks on the Bengals' roster that were once heralded first round picks.[53] Head coach Marvin Lewis officially named Clements and Hall the starting cornerbacks to begin 2012.

On September 23, 2012, Clements recorded a season-high ten combined tackles (five solo) during the Bengals' 38–31 win at the Washington Redskins. Clements was inactive for the Bengals' Week 4 victory at the Jacksonville Jaguars due to an injury.[54] Upon returning, Clements began to transition to strong safety after losing his starting cornerback job to Terence Newman during his absence.[55] He started five of the next six games before losing the role back to Chris Crocker. He finished the season with 53 combined tackles (31 solo), five pass deflections, and an interception in 15 games and nine starts.[18]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Year Team GP Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
Cmb Solo Ast Sck FF FR Yds Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD
2001 BUF 16 63 53 10 1.0 3 0 0 3 48 16.0 48 1 13
2002 BUF 16 65 52 13 0.0 0 0 0 6 82 13.6 42 1 19
2003 BUF 16 62 51 11 0.0 0 0 0 3 54 18.0 54 1 7
2004 BUF 16 73 53 20 0.5 5 1 0 6 77 12.8 35 1 13
2005 BUF 16 99 78 21 0.0 3 1 0 2 0 0.0 0 0 13
2006 BUF 16 72 56 16 0.0 2 2 0 3 80 26.6 58 1 19
2007 SF 16 92 77 15 1.0 3 0 0 4 74 18.5 62 0 14
2008 SF 15 63 56 7 0.0 1 0 0 2 13 6.5 13 0 9
2009 SF 7 35 30 5 0.0 0 0 0 1 8 8.0 8 0 7
2010 SF 16 82 72 10 1.0 3 0 0 3 46 15.3 39 0 10
2011 CIN 15 55 49 6 1.0 2 2 0 2 5 2.5 7 0 12
2012 CIN 15 53 31 22 0.0 1 0 0 1 21 21.0 21 0 5
Career[56] 180 814 658 156 4.5 23 6 0 36 508 14.1 62 5 141

References

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

Nate Clements

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Nate Clements is a former American professional football cornerback who played twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily known for his tenure with the Buffalo Bills, where he was selected as a first-round draft pick out of Ohio State University.[1] Born on December 12, 1979, in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Clements starred at Ohio State, earning third-team All-American honors and first-team All-Big Ten accolades in 2000 during his college career.[1] Drafted 21st overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 2001 NFL Draft—after being originally selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and traded—he quickly established himself as a shutdown defender, finishing third in voting for Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year in his debut season with 3 interceptions and 67 tackles.[1] Over six seasons with the Bills (2001–2006), he amassed 23 interceptions, including a career-high 6 in 2004, and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2004, showcasing his physicality with 446 total tackles, 87 passes defensed, and 13 forced fumbles during that span.[2][1] In 2007, Clements signed an eight-year, $80 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers as an unrestricted free agent, marking the richest deal ever for an NFL defender at the time and reflecting his reputation as one of the league's top cornerbacks.[2] He spent four seasons with the 49ers (2007–2010), contributing 10 interceptions and 40 passes defensed while transitioning to a more versatile role in the secondary.[1] Clements concluded his career with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011 and 2012, adding depth to their defense before retiring after the 2012 season.[1] Across 180 regular-season games, he recorded 36 interceptions (5 returned for touchdowns), 144 passes defensed, 826 tackles, 23 forced fumbles, and 2 punt return touchdowns, solidifying his legacy as a durable and impactful NFL defender.[1]

Pre-professional career

Early life and high school

Nate Clements was born on December 12, 1979, in Shaker Heights, Ohio.[1] He was raised in a working-class family by his parents, Nate Sr., an electrician and firefighter, and Emma, a shipping coordinator, who had been married for over two decades and instilled values of hard work, sacrifice, and discipline in their children.[3][4] Clements has a younger brother, and his father played a pivotal role in his early athletic development by challenging him to intense backyard basketball games, which built resilience and toughness despite Clements being undersized as a youth.[5] This paternal influence extended to football, where Nate Sr. encouraged his son to pursue professional aspirations seriously, emphasizing weight training, academic focus, and avoiding distractions to secure a college scholarship.[3] Clements attended Shaker Heights High School, where he graduated in 1998.[6] His initial exposure to football came through local youth leagues, but he committed to the sport earnestly during high school, balancing early-morning workouts with late-night studying under his father's guidance.[3] At Shaker Heights, Clements excelled as both a defensive back and quarterback, leading the team to two playoff appearances and a Lake Erie League championship in 1997.[6] He earned recognition as a USA Today, Blue Chip Illustrated, and Super Prep All-American, showcasing exceptional poise and athleticism on the field.[3] Clements set a school record with 14 career interceptions, highlighting his defensive prowess.[7] In honor of his contributions, Shaker Heights retired his jersey number in 2005.[8]

College career at Ohio State

Clements was heavily recruited following his standout high school career and enrolled at Ohio State University in 1998 as a freshman cornerback for the Buckeyes.[5] Over three seasons from 1998 to 2000, he appeared in 34 games, starting 24, and established himself as a physical and versatile defensive back capable of contributing on both defense and special teams.[9] His career statistics included 177 tackles and seven interceptions, with the latter showcasing his ball skills in coverage.[9] As a junior in 2000, Clements recorded four interceptions and led the Big Ten in punt returns with 36 for 470 yards at an average of 13.1 yards per return, including one touchdown that highlighted his speed and return ability.[10] That senior season also brought significant recognition, as Clements earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from both coaches and media after finishing second on the team with 60 solo tackles.[11] He was additionally named to the Associated Press Third-Team All-America squad, affirming his status as one of the conference's top cornerbacks.[12] Key contributions included an interception in the fourth quarter of a 27-16 win over Miami (OH) that set up a field goal, helping to seal the victory, and consistent tackling in big games, highlighted by his mid-season ranking third on the team with 40 total tackles entering the matchup against Purdue.[13][14] While pursuing a general studies major, Clements opted to forgo his senior year and declare for the 2001 NFL Draft after the 2000 season, positioning himself as an early-round prospect based on his development into a shutdown defender.[15][16]

Professional career

Buffalo Bills (2001–2006)

Clements was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the 21st overall pick in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft, following a standout college career at Ohio State where he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2000.[1][17] He signed a five-year rookie contract worth $6.7 million shortly after the draft.[18] During his six seasons with the Bills from 2001 to 2006, Clements appeared in 96 games, starting 91 of them, and established himself as a key member of the secondary.[1] He amassed 446 combined tackles, 23 interceptions, and five defensive touchdowns from those interceptions, providing critical coverage and ball skills that bolstered the team's pass defense.[1] Clements evolved into a shutdown cornerback, often tasked with neutralizing opposing teams' top wide receivers during the Bills' competitive defenses in the early 2000s.[8] His standout performance earned him a Pro Bowl selection in 2004, highlighting his impact on the field.[1] To retain him entering the final year of his rookie deal, the Bills applied the franchise tag in 2006, which resulted in a one-year contract valued at $7.226 million.[18] Following the 2006 season, Clements became an unrestricted free agent.[18]

San Francisco 49ers (2007–2010)

Clements signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an unrestricted free agent on March 2, 2007, agreeing to an eight-year contract worth $80 million, including $22 million guaranteed, which made him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history at the time.[2] The deal reflected the 49ers' intent to bolster their secondary after a defense that ranked near the bottom in pass defense the previous season.[2] During his tenure from 2007 to 2010, Clements appeared in 54 games for the 49ers, starting 53, primarily as the starting cornerback opposite Shawntae Spencer.[1] He recorded 272 combined tackles (235 solo), 10 interceptions for 141 yards, and one touchdown via a 59-yard return of a blocked field goal against the Minnesota Vikings in 2009.[1][19] These contributions came amid a period of defensive rebuilding, where Clements served as a veteran anchor in a unit that improved under multiple coordinators. Clements faced challenges transitioning from the Buffalo Bills' 4-3 defensive scheme to the 49ers' hybrid system under head coach Mike Nolan, requiring adjustments in coverage responsibilities and blitz packages during his 2007 integration.[5] His performance varied across coaching changes: under Nolan in 2007 and 2008, he tallied 155 tackles and six interceptions in 31 starts, helping the defense rank mid-tier in interceptions league-wide.[1] With Mike Singletary taking over as interim and then full-time head coach in 2009 and 2010, Clements adapted to a more aggressive, man-heavy approach, but a fractured right scapula sustained against the Indianapolis Colts in November 2009 limited him to seven games that year and sidelined him for the final nine.[20] He rebounded in 2010 with 82 tackles and three interceptions in 16 starts, though the secondary struggled with consistency.[1] Contract tensions emerged as Clements entered the later years of his deal, with the 49ers seeking to restructure his $7.25 million base salary for 2011 to alleviate cap strain amid roster needs.[21] Negotiations failed, and on July 28, 2011, the team released him, freeing approximately $15 million in salary cap space for potential free-agent pursuits like Nnamdi Asomugha.[22][23] The release, coming after persistent injury concerns and declining production relative to his contract, marked the end of a high-profile but ultimately underwhelming stint in San Francisco.[24]

Cincinnati Bengals (2011–2012)

Following his release by the San Francisco 49ers in July 2011, Clements signed a two-year, $10.5 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals on July 30, 2011, including $6 million guaranteed and a $2 million signing bonus.[18] This deal provided the Bengals with veteran depth in their secondary amid roster changes.[25] Over his two seasons with Cincinnati, Clements appeared in 30 games, starting 24 of them, and contributed significantly as a rotational defender and mentor in the Bengals' defensive backfield.[26] His cumulative statistics during this period included 108 total tackles (80 solo), 3 interceptions for 26 yards, 1 sack, and 17 passes defended, helping stabilize a secondary that ranked among the league's better units against the pass in 2011.[26] In 2011, he started all 15 games at cornerback, recording 55 tackles and 2 interceptions, while in 2012, he added 53 tackles and 1 interception across 15 games.[26] Due to injuries and the emergence of younger cornerbacks like Terence Newman, Clements transitioned from his lifelong role at cornerback to strong safety during the 2012 preseason, adapting to the Bengals' needs for versatility in the defensive backfield.[27] This shift allowed him to leverage his experience against the run and in coverage, though it came with challenges in adjusting to the position's demands, such as increased tackling responsibilities.[28] Clements started nine games at safety that year, providing leadership to a secondary that helped the Bengals finish 10-6 and secure a playoff berth.[1] Clements' tenure with Cincinnati marked the conclusion of his 12-year NFL career, as he did not play in 2013 and effectively retired thereafter, reflecting on a journey that began as a first-round draft pick out of Ohio State.[1] His adaptability and steady presence in the Bengals' secondary during his final seasons underscored his professionalism, even as age and positional changes limited his snaps toward the end.[25]

Career overview

NFL statistics

Nate Clements played 180 regular-season games over 12 NFL seasons, starting 158 of them, while accumulating 826 total tackles (669 solo, 157 assisted), 36 interceptions (including 5 returned for touchdowns), 144 passes defensed, 23 forced fumbles, 4.5 sacks, 8 fumble recoveries, and 9 total touchdowns from defensive and special teams plays.[1] His interceptions were distributed across teams as follows: 23 with the Buffalo Bills (2001–2006), 10 with the San Francisco 49ers (2007–2010), and 3 with the Cincinnati Bengals (2011–2012).[1] The following table summarizes Clements' regular-season statistics year by year:
YearTeamGamesStartsTackles (Solo/Ast)Interceptions (Yds/TD)SacksFumble RecoveriesTotal TDs
2001BUF161157/103 (48/1)1.002
2002BUF161652/136 (82/1)0.001
2003BUF161651/113 (54/1)0.011
2004BUF161658/216 (77/1)0.522
2005BUF161681/212 (0/0)0.010
2006BUF161655/163 (80/1)0.021
2007SFO161677/154 (74/0)1.000
2008SFO151556/72 (13/0)0.001
2009SFO7630/51 (8/0)0.001
2010SFO161672/103 (46/0)1.000
2011CIN151549/62 (5/0)1.020
2012CIN15931/221 (21/0)0.000
Career Total180158669/15736 (508/5)4.589
Clements appeared in two postseason games with the Bengals, recording 12 tackles (11 solo) and no interceptions, sacks, or fumble recoveries.[1]

Accolades and legacy

Clements earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2004 as a cornerback for the Buffalo Bills, recognizing his standout performance that season with six interceptions and 79 tackles.[1] He also finished third in voting for the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2001 after recording three interceptions and 67 tackles in his debut NFL season.[29] No first- or second-team All-Pro honors were awarded to him during his 12-year career.[1] In 2006, the Bills applied the franchise tag to Clements, securing him for one year at $7.2 million before he entered free agency.[30] The following offseason, he signed an eight-year, $80 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers in March 2007, becoming the first defensive player in NFL history to reach that total value and establishing a benchmark for cornerback compensation at the time.[2] Over his tenure with the Bills from 2001 to 2006, Clements recorded 23 interceptions, contributing significantly to the team's secondary and ranking seventh on the franchise's all-time list at the time of his departure.[31] Across his full career, he amassed 36 interceptions, placing him 16th among cornerbacks since 2000 and underscoring his ball-hawking skills in an era defined by high-powered passing attacks.[32][33] Known as a shutdown corner during his prime, Clements anchored the Bills' defense in the early 2000s, limiting top receivers and forcing turnovers that bolstered a unit prone to inconsistencies.[8] Later, Clements demonstrated adaptability by transitioning to safety with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2012, where he recorded 108 tackles and three forced fumbles over 24 starts with the team in 2011 and 2012 before retiring at age 32 following the 2012 season.[1] As of 2025, Clements has not pursued notable public roles in coaching or business, leaving his legacy centered on his on-field tenacity and role in elevating defensive back play during the 2000s.[34]

References

  1. Nate Clements Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College
  2. 49ers make Clements NFL's highest-paid defender ever - ESPN
  3. Clements accepts dad”s challenges
  4. Father pushes Clements of 49ers on toward Canton - East Bay Times
  5. Clements Keeps at It - 49ers.com
  6. Hall of Fame Inductees Reflect on Their Time at Shaker
  7. Unveiling top 10 players in PD50 high school football series over ...
  8. Bills player history: Looking back at cornerback Nate Clements
  9. Top 10 Big Ten Defensive Backs of the BCS Era - Athlon Sports
  10. Nate Clements College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits
  11. 2000 All-Big Ten Football Teams & Individual Honors Announced – Ohio State Buckeyes | Ohio State
  12. 2000 Associated Press All-America Football Team - University of ...
  13. Flashback: Ohio State vs. Miami (OH), 2000 | Eleven Warriors
  14. No. 12 Ohio State Buckeyes at No. 16 Purdue
  15. Nate Clements - Buckeye Rosters
  16. TERRELL LEAVES MICHIGAN – Orlando Sentinel
  17. Former Ohio State Cornerback Signs With The Buffalo Bills
  18. Nate Clements | NFL Contracts & Salaries - Spotrac.com
  19. 49ers lead at halftime behind Clements blocked FG return for TD
  20. Broken scapula for 49ers' Clements - ESPN - NFC West
  21. Sources: Clements won't return under current deal
  22. Conflicting Information About 49ers And Nate Clements
  23. 49ers will cut Nate Clements, for real - NBC Sports
  24. 49ers Release Veteran CB Clements - CBS San Francisco
  25. Nate Clements leads Cincinnati Bengals roster battle - NFL.com
  26. Nate Clements Career Stats - NFL - ESPN
  27. Bengals' Clements seeing time at safety - ESPN - NFL Nation
  28. Nate Clements Talks About Transition From Cornerback To Safety
  29. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/awards_2001.htm
  30. https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2339805
  31. Buffalo Bills Career Defense Leaders | Pro-Football-Reference.com
  32. NFL Interceptions Career Leaders (since 1940)
  33. Most Interceptions By A Cornerback Career Since 2000 | StatMuse
  34. Clements Signs With 49ers for 8 years and $80 Million
  35. Nate Clements Age, Net Worth, Relationships, and Career Highlights
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