Bio
To be an 12 year veteran in the NFL, one usually is not the type of athlete to just rest on past laurels or last year’s accolades. br> Born April 20th in 1977, Desmond Clark originally a native of Lakeland, Florida has had a great career in Chicago and is revered as one of br>the Bears’ best players in history at the Tight End position. He currently resides in Orlando, Florida with his wife and three br>kids, which include twin daughters Ashanna, and Gianna and step-daughter Britanny Reaves. Desmond graduated from Kathleen High br>School in 1995, whilst also becoming an All-State quarterback in football and an All-State in basketball. After high school, he br>attended Wake Forest University from 1995-1999, where he became the All-Time leading receiver in ACC history before being drafted in the br>sixth round by the Denver Broncos. He also went on to finish his undergraduate studies in 2008, where Desmond attained a Bachelor’s br>degree in Communications.
Desmond has become one of the top tight end targets in franchise history since joining the team in 2003, ranking second all-time at his br> position with 222 receptions, second with 16 receiving touchdowns and third with 2,482 receiving yards... surpassed the br>3,000-yard receiving mark during 2007 and is one of 11 active tight ends in the NFL to eclipse that plateau... Exceeded 40 catches in br>2008 for the third consecutive year and fifth time in his career (2001, 2003, 2006-08)... Became the first Bears TE since Mike Ditka in br> 1962-64 to have three consecutive 40-reception seasons (2006-08)... Along with TE Greg Olsen, combined for 95 catches for 941 yards br> in 2008, setting the single-season franchise record for receptions by TEs which broke the record set in 2007 by Clark, Olsen and br>John Gilmore.
Desmond leads Chicago in receptions (222), receiving yards (2,482) and receiving TDs (16) since becoming a member of the Bears in 2003... br> Has started 92-of-94 games played since 2003 - more than any other TE other than Tony Gonzalez - including starts in 67 br>straight contests... Has registered 130 catches for 1,538 and 11 touchdowns in his last three seasons, the highest marks in a br>three-year period by a Bears tight end since 1963-65 (Mike Ditka)... His receiving yards and reception total over the last five seasons br>rank 11th in the league among tight ends, while his receiving TDs are 14th... Reception total over last six campaigns is also the br>most by a Bears TE since Mike Ditka caught 316 passes from 1961-1966 while his 2,482 receiving yards is the best by a Chicago TE br>since Emery Moorehead gained 2,597 yards from 1982-87... Has 11 receptions for 117 yards and 1 TD in 5 postseason contests with Denver br> and Chicago; starting all 4 with the Bears... Enjoyed 3 productive seasons with Broncos to begin career, posting 79 receptions for br> 910 yards with 9 TDs in 41 games with 6 starts over three seasons.
Desmond joins the 2010 Bears as they hope to make two appearances in Dallas this year; one in the regular season and one in the Super br>Bowl. During the off-season, Dez also has several successful business ventures and charitable efforts with his 88 Wayz Foundation. br> In the last three years, Clark has also made his way behind the microphone and on the airwaves. He has co-hosted both TV and radio br>sport’s talk shows in the Chicago markets, one which was through ABC and another that had been aired on ESPN. The Story about Desmond br> Clark has many chapters left to be told as his accolades on the field and off the field are truly remarkable. One thing is for br> sure. Desmond Clark addresses each challenge with Sportsmanlike Conduct.