Boobie Clark

Boobie Clark
Boobie Clark
Position(s)
Running back		 Jersey #(s)
35, 42
Born November 8, 1950(1950-11-08)
Jacksonville, Florida
Died October 25, 1988(1988-10-25) (aged 37)
Career information
Year(s) 1973–1980
NFL Draft 1973 / Round: 12 / Pick: 302
College Bethune-Cookman College
Professional teams
Career stats
Rushing attempts-yards 802-3032
Receptions-yards 157-1197
Touchdowns 27
Stats at NFL.com
Career highlights and awards

Charles Lee "Boobie" Clark (November 8, 1950 – October 25, 1988) was a professional American football running back who played in the National Football League for eight seasons and was named the UPI AFL-AFC Rookie of the Year for 1973.[1]

Contents

Early years

Clark was born in Jacksonville, Florida and was a athletic standout at Stanton High School, where the nickname "Boobie" originated. He played tight end in high school and at Bethune-Cookman College.[1]

Pro football

He was drafted in the 12th round by the the Cincinnati Bengals and became a fullback. Despite inexperience at the position, he was named Rookie of the Year in 1973. That same year, Clark was involved in an on-field incident where he struck Dale Hackbart of the Denver Broncos with a right forearm to the back of Hackbart's head and neck after the play was finished. Hackbart filed a lawsuit and the case eventually went to trial as an intentional tort, specifically battery (tort). Clark testified that he was frustrated because his team was losing and that he intentionally hit Hackbart due to his frustration. The case went as far as the United States Court of Appeals (10th Circuit) in 1979.[2]

Clark played for Cincinnati from 1973–1978, where he rushed for 2,978 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also caught 151 passes for 1,139 yards and two touchdowns. He was traded to the Houston Oilers where he played little from 1979–1980. He retired before the 1981 season started.[1]

Death

Clark died of a blood clot in his lung at the age of 37 on October 25, 1988 at Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville.[3] The City of Jacksonville renamed the Sherwood Forest Playground as Charles "Boobie" Clark Park and Pool in his honor.[4] The Florida Times-Union named Clark number 37 on their list of the top 100 athletes from Jacksonville in 2000.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "#37 Charles "Boobie" Clark/Football" Florida Times-Union, 2000AD Top 100 Athletes
  2. ^ Hackbart v. Cincinnati Bengals, Inc., 601 F.2d 516 (10th Cir. 1979)
  3. ^ Booby Clark, Football Player, 37, New York Times, October 26, 1988
  4. ^ "Charles Boobie Clark Park and Pool" City of Jacksonville website, Parks & Recreation

External links

P vip.svg Biography portal


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