Colorado College legend Earl 'Dutch' Clark, the first football player from the state of Colorado to earn All-America honors, was named to the East-West Shrine Bowl's All-Century Team today, celebrating the upcoming 100th edition of the oldest college football all-star game in the nation.
Clark played in the fifth East-West Shrine Bowl on Jan. 1, 1930. The All-Century Team features legendary players such as Tom Brady, Paul Hornung, Walter Payton, Roger Staubach, Lawrence Taylor and Doak Walker.
Clark played football, basketball, baseball and ran track at Colorado College from 1927-29. He excelled in football, playing tailback, linebacker, safety, and kicker. Clark garnered Associated Press All-America honors as a junior in 1928 after carrying the ball 135 times for 1,359 yards (10.1 yards per carry) and scoring 103 points.
A three-time All-RMAC selection, Clark led the league in scoring each of his three years at Colorado College. After graduating in 1930, he remained at Colorado College as the head basketball coach and assistant football coach.
Clark's success on the field continued when he entered the National Football League.
He played for the Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans from 1931-32. Clark then retired and became the Head Football Coach at the Colorado School of Mines, before signing with the Detroit Lions where he played from 1934-38.
In the professional ranks, Clark played quarterback and led the NFL in scoring in 1932, 1935 and 1936. A six-time all-pro honoree, Clark rushed for 2,772 yards, passed for 1,507 yards and scored 47 touchdowns. In 1937 and 1938, Clark held the role as player and coach. He retired from playing in the NFL in 1938 and went on to coach for the Cleveland Rams for four seasons, from 1939-42.
Clark has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame, the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame, the Colorado College Athletic Hall of Fame, the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. Born in Fowler, Colo., and a graduate of Pueblo Central High School, Clark passed away in August 1978.