INDIANAPOLIS – Post-NFL life has been good to Dallas Clark, and it got much better – much more fulfilling – with a text crystalizing his place in Indianapolis Colts’ history.
But before we talk about the Ring of Honor and the raw emotions that followed . . .
Monday afternoon, Clark was sitting in the bleachers at an Iowa baseball facility for a youth game for 15-year-old son Dane. Son Camden, 13, and daughter Hazel, 9, probably were wandering around the ballpark. Fans situated nearby provided a noisy backdrop for a cell phone interview.
It was the latest occasion for the long-time Indianapolis Colts’ standout tight end to simply enjoy being just another guy out and about with his kids.
“I’m very fortunate,’’ Clark said. “We’re at that next chapter in life and we’re doing good. I did an Ironman two years ago. I ran 5 miles yesterday. I’ve got teammates from college and the pros who are dealing with hips and shoulders and knees and things, or just don’t feel good. I’m way blessed.’’
Clark’s down-home personality punctuated every comment. He was engaging, funny.
Then, he recalled a recent text from Pete Ward, owner Jim Irsay’s Chief Operating Officer (i.e., right-hand man).
Then, Clark struggled for words.
“Funny,’’ he said before his emotions got the better of him. “Pete texted me, ‘Hey, give me a call when you get a chance.’ I didn’t think much about it.’’
Clark dialed up Ward and they spent a few minutes getting caught up on how each was doing.
“I thought maybe he texted me to see how the crops were doing in Iowa,’’ Clark said with a laugh. Then he told me about the Ring of Honor.’’
When the Miami Dolphins visit Lucas Oil Stadium on Oct. 20, Clark’s name will be added to the Colts’ Ring of Honor.
His reaction to the news?
“I . . .’’ he began before pausing. It’s like one of those things if you really let it sink in . . .’’
Again, a long pause. Clark was fighting back tears.
It was mentioned how emotional the news was to him.
Finally, he was able to gather himself.
“Oh, man. Yeah,’’ Clark said. “I might somehow say it in my speech.’’
His mind will race back to Sept. 7, 2003, or any game that immediately followed his rookie debut against the Browns in Cleveland. He was the Colts’ first-round pick in the draft, No. 24 overall. He was joining an offense that was absolutely loaded with elite-skill players.
“When I came into the huddle, seriously, I remember thinking, ‘What the hell am I doing here? I’m around these dudes. These guys are the dudes,’’’ Clark said.
Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Jeff Saturday, Tarik Glenn and other dudes.
“Now to be recognized with them . . .’’ Clark said before once again being temporarily overcome. "They were my idols. I just wanted to play like them. I wanted to run routes like Reg. I wanted to catch the damn ball like Marv. I wanted to be tough like Edge. I wanted to be smart like Peyton. I wanted to have freakin’ leadership like Saturday. I just wanted to take every bit of their qualities and make it part of my game.’’
Done.
Clark’s NFL career would span 11 seasons, but he established himself as one of the league’s top tight ends during his nine-year stint in Indy. Then-general manager Bill Polian believed the 6-3, 252-pound Clark – one of those hybrid tight ends capable of being a mismatch for defenses – was the missing piece to an already explosive offense.
He started 111 of 115 regular-season games and proved to be everything the Colts and Polian anticipated: 427 receptions, 4,887 yards, 46 touchdowns. The catches and TDs are club records for a tight end. The yards are second to Hall of Famer John Mackey.
In 2009, Clark was as good as it gets: 100 receptions, 1,106 yards, 10 TDs. He was first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection. He’s one of eight tight ends in NFL history with at least 100 catches in a season.
In 2006, Clark was instrumental in the Colts bringing the Lombardi Trophy to Indy with their 29-17 win over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. He had 21 receptions for a team-best 317 yards during the playoff run.
“I was fortunate to play in a phenomenal era,’’ he said. “It was the best.’’
And now, Dallas Clark is the latest Ring of Honor inductee. He’ll join a lot of those “dudes.’’ The Ring of Honor already features several members of the Colts’ storied 2000s: Manning, Wayne, Harrison, James, Glenn, Saturday, Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, Polian and Tony Dungy.
Manning recognized Clark’s honor on social media.
“Congratulations to my good friend Dallas Clark,’’ he posted. “Colts 2024 Ring of Honor Inductee! Incredible player and teammate!’’
The rest of the Ring of Honor: Jim Harbaugh, Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Chris Hinton, Bill Brooks, Ted Marchibroda, Robert Irsay and the 12th Man.
It’s a forever place in Colts’ history.
“I made that joke to my oldest brother,’’ Clark said. “I was like, ‘Bro, if (owner Jim) Irsay builds a new home, they put that in a box and they take it over and put that back up on the wall. It ain’t going down. It stays with the house, like the washer and dryer.’’’
One last pause.
“I’ve been very blessed,’’ Clark said.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.