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Dallas Clark to retire as a member of Indianapolis Colts

By Patrick Schmidt

Oct 13, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Dallas Clark (87) runs for yardage after his catch in front of Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Dallas Clark (87) runs for yardage after his catch in front of Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dallas Clark played the past two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baltimore Ravens, respectively, but his heart never left Indianapolis and the former Pro Bowl tight end announced on Monday he will retire as a member of the Colts.

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Clark, 35, played the first nine seasons of his career with the Colts after they spent a first round pick on the former Iowa Haykeye and Mackey Award winner where he racked up prolific numbers on the receiving end on a plethora of passes from Peyton Manning. Clark retires as the Colts all-time leader in receptions and touchdowns by a tight end.

For his career, Clark had 505 receptions for 5,665 yards and 53 touchdowns while playing in 143 games. 427 receptions, 4,887 yards and 46 touchdowns came while wearing an Indianapolis uniform.

His finest season came in 2009 when he recorded career-highs in receptions with 100 and yards with 1,106 and had his second-highest career total with 10 touchdowns en route to earning All-Pro honors.

Clark helped usher in a new era at the tight end position and the importance of a pass-catcher at the position evolved from the classic mindset of having a glorified offensive tackle line up at the position. His ability to line up flexed out and beat linebackers down the seam is now customary from the top tight ends in the league and they owe a bit of gratitude to the retiring Clark for being a bit of a trendsetter.

Clark signed with the Buccaneers after the Colts released him in 2012 after missing 15 games as a result of injury over his final two seasons in Indianapolis and finished his career with the Ravens where he had 31 receptions for 343 yards and three touchdowns.

Clark will have his formal retirement announcement on Wednesday.

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