ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, July 12, 1996 TAG: 9607120028
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: KEITH POMPEY STAFF WRITER
THE DUBLIN NATIVE has left the NFL after 11 seasons, according to members of his family.
Relatives of Dublin native Gary Clark say the four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver has retired after 11 seasons in the NFL.
``The only way Gary would return to football is if it's with a team that is guaranteed a trip to the Super Bowl,'' said his sister, Shelia Clark. ``Gary's happy with his decision to retire. His body is in great shape. He doesn't have any bumps and bruises. That's the way he wants to leave.''
Gary Clark is vacationing in Greece and was unavailable for comment. His father, Milton, said Gary broke off talks with several teams, including the Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys.
Clark, who spent the 1995 season with the Miami Dolphins, leaves the NFL as one of the top receivers in league history.
The 34-year-old ranks eighth on the all-time receptions list, with 699. He also ranks eighth in receiving yards, with 10,856. The former Pulaski County High School standout had a string of 105 games with at least one catch from 1985-92.
Last season, Clark caught 37 passes for 525 yards and two touchdowns.
Clark, the first former James Madison University football player to make an NFL roster, spent his professional career with four teams.
In 1984, he played for the Jacksonville Bulls of the now-defunct United States Football League. The Washington Redskins obtained his rights in the 1984 USFL supplemental draft. Clark played for the Redskins from 1985-92, winning two Super Bowls.
Clark then left the Redskins as a free agent and spent the 1993 and 1994 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Clark.by CNB