Chicago Bears TE Desmond Clark talks Football and life off The Field
Published by Fred Richani on September 29, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
I had the pleasure of interviewing Chicago Bears tight end Desmond Clark a few weeks back via my site, The Sports Courier.I thought it was pretty cool to not only have the pleasure of interviewing him, but to be able to sense his confidence in the 2010 squad.
Well, his belief in this squad has paid off, as the Bears are currently 3-0—first place in the NFC North. Check out my interview with Clark below, as well as the links to his radio show and charitable foundation.
Chicago Bears tight end Desmond Clark is looking to bounce back both individually, as well as collectively with his team.
Injuries limited Clark to playing 11 games in 2009, making it tough for the tight end to watch the Bears struggle offensively with quarterback Jay Cutler, as well as defensively without linebacker Brian Urlacher. The Bears missed the playoffs for the third straight season, going 7-9, only good for third place in the tough NFC North dominated by Green Bay and Minnesota.
With a new offensive coordinator in Mike Martz, good health, and a promising 2010 season of redemption right on the horizon, Clark was kind enough to speak to The Sports Courier about the Bears’ progress and his life on and off the gridiron.
A lot of aspiring pro football players choose schools like Ohio State, Miami, USC, University of Florida, Oklahoma, and Notre Dame to make their mark in the college ranks. What made you choose Wake Forest?
A lot of professional football players come out of schools that are not traditional powerhouses. Also, it’s not always your choice to which school you go to. You have to be offered a scholarship first.
How has your time in Chicago, particularly your NFC Championship season, helped you come into your own as a player?
My time with the Chicago Bears has seen me evolve into a complete tight end. Coming in, I was regarded as a pass catching tight end. Now, I’m widely considered the best blocking tight end on the team, while still possessing wide receiver skills.
I once heard that you saved a cat at age 12 from getting hit by a car and that it inspired you to play football. Is that true and can you elaborate on why it made you choose football as a dream career?
You read that in Wikipedia and it’s the dumbest thing for someone to write stuff about others that’s not true. How does that transition into a passion to play football?
[Editor’s note: Good point…]
With the recent string of training camp injuries, specifically with the Denver Broncos, is there anything teams can do to prevent this from occurring or is it just the nature of the beast?
If you play football for a living, you are going to get hurt at some point. There is no way around it.
What kind of progress have you seen your team’s offense make since Mike Martz came in?
I’d say there is much more accountability and attention to detail.
After a season marred by injury, what is your personal goal in 2010?
My goal is to lead the Bears to a Super Bowl Championship.
What will it take for the Chicago Bears to once again reach and ultimately win the Super Bowl?
Clark: Better offense and defensive production. The stars have to shine and the role players have to be there when called upon. Run the ball effectively and stop the run on the other side.
Business mode.
Moving on from football. I understand you have a few ventures beyond the gridiron. Let’s start with your show Sportsmanlike Conduct. Can you tell us about that?
This is my online show that broadcasts every Tuesday at 6 p.m. Eastern on Voice America Sports. We mainly talk football but welcome and discuss all sports related matters. You can go to SportsmanLikeConduct.com to see what we have going on.
Is a career in broadcasting or entertainment an avenue you have your eye on when your NFL career is over?
I definitely enjoy radio broadcasting. I think it may be an option down the road.
You engage in a ton of philanthropy, mostly through your 88 Wayz Youth Foundation, Inc. What inspired you to start the foundation and what’s its ultimate goal?
Inspiration is found within. When you think back to all of the individuals that helped you along the way, you want to go back and also lend a hand to others.
Obviously, you have a great passion for helping people. If there’s one piece of advice you can give anyone going through hard times that’s trying to hold onto a dream, what would it be?
When you have a dream, you have to make it your focus and cast all outside distractions away or it will always be a dream.
For more information on Desmond Clark:
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