PULASKI SAD, BUT GLAD FOR $6 MILLION MAN IN GARY CLARK'S HOMETOWN, THERE WAS

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 24, 1993                   TAG: 9303240217
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN                                LENGTH: Medium
PULASKI SAD, BUT GLAD FOR $6 MILLION MAN IN GARY CLARK'S HOMETOWN, THERE WAS
People in Pulaski County, where football star Gary Clark grew up, seemed generally disappointed Tuesday at the news that he was leaving the Washington Redskins.
But most said they would do the same thing for a three-year, $6 million contract.
That was what Clark, who lived in Dublin and played football at Pulaski County High School, got to sign with the Phoenix Cardinals on Monday.
"I don't think he should [go to Phoenix]. I think he should stay in Virginia," said Tina Jarnigan, a Hiwassee resident having lunch at Western Steer in Pulaski.
"He isn't in Virginia," Barbara Duncan, across the table, pointed out.
"Well, it's close to Virginia," Jarnigan said. Duncan, a Redskins fan, agreed that she was disappointed, too.
Actually, Clark does live in Virginia - in Fairfax County - but has a home in Phoenix, where he has gone on recent off-season vacations.
"From a financial point of view, I think he made a real good decision," said Ira "Pete" Crawford, a county supervisor. "As a Redskins fan, I think it's terrible. . . . I hate to see him leave. But I would've made that same decision if I had that contract, $2 million a year."
Joel Hicks, who coached the Pulaski County High School Cougars to a state football championship last season and also coached Clark, felt the same way.
"My first reaction is: $6 million!" Hicks said at the school's field house, where Clark's football statistics are posted on a wall and his retired high school jersey framed over a door.
"They are professionals and, you know, a professional gets paid," Hicks said. "I'd say you'd have a hard time turning down that offer from anyone."
Hicks and Crawford both speculated that Clark, 30, might not be playing professional football that much longer.
"Gary's getting to the point, too, he probably hasn't got but two or three years left to him," Hicks said. "I think Gary will miss the Redskins, too. . . . It'll put a lot of pressure on Gary to do as well as he's done."
Students at Clark's high school also were impressed with the contract.
"Everybody's talking about that $6 million, mostly. They're talking about that price tag," Hicks said. "I'd say good luck to him. I'm behind him 100 percent. I'd have probably done the same thing."
In Dublin, where Clark's parents operate his sports shop, some folks are fans of Gary rather than the Redskins.
"I'm not a football fan, except I was a Redskins fan because I like Gary," said Ralph Reed, an employee at Wade's Supermarket who knows the Clark family. "So I'll probably switch allegiance."
The sports shop, next to Wade's, was not open Tuesday. But Gary's father, Milton Clark, was busy next door with arrangements for the June 20-26 Gary Clark Sports Camp, to be held for the first time at Clark's home high school.
The camps, which give athletic instruction with a self-esteem, anti-drug emphasis, have been held in Roanoke, Hillsville and Washington, D.C., since 1990. Part of their attraction for the 1,500 young people attending is meeting Clark and some of his fellow Redskins stars.
They will still come to the 1993 camp, Milton Clark said, even with the move. This year's Redskins include Mark Schlereth, Raleigh McKenzie, Terry Orr, Danny Copeland, Brian Mitchell, Kurt Gouveia, Fred Stokes, Ricky Sanders and Andre Collins, plus San Francisco '49er Charles Haley, who, like Clark, played at James Madison University.
"This is still Redskin country," Milton Clark said. "His teammates wish him well. . . . The camp's still needed, whether anyone's playing football or not."
Redskins players are also still scheduled for a "Charity Huddle" to benefit the camp at 7 p.m. April 3 at Radford's Best Western Hotel, with advance tickets only (by calling 674-1321), for $50. Dress was advertised as "black tie or Redskin jersey."
That was done before Clark made the switch, his father said. Presumably a Phoenix jersey would work, too.
His father said Gary went to Redskins management when he got the Phoenix offer. Clark made $750,000 last season and was to get $850,000 next season at Washington.
"They had a chance to match it and they just didn't," Milton Clark said. "What it really said, according to the contract, was that Phoenix wanted him and Washington didn't. It ain't all that complicated."

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB