(Place-kicker, Dallas Cowboys)
Dec. 28, 1969
Mike Clark was responsible for the most embarrassing kickoff ever witnessed in an NFL play-off game.
Trailing the Cleveland Browns 38-7 after scoring a touchdown late in the contest, the Dallas Cowboys tried to get the ball back by having Clark attempt an onside kick.
The front line of the Browns tensed up in anticipation of the short kick while the Cowboys eagerly waited to pounce on the ball. Clark knew he had to hit the pigskin just right, squibbing it so that it would travel at least 10 yards but not much further. With total concentration, he trotted toward the ball, planted his left foot, and swung with his right.
The Cowboys charged forward and banged into the Browns. While some of the players blocked, others surged to where the ball should have been kicked. But it wasn't there. A frantic search began. No, it wasn't under a pile of Browns or a gang of Cowboys. The players finally spotted the ball, still standing upright where Clark had placed it—on the kicking tee. Clark had whiffed the kick!
His shoulders hunched, Clark just stood over the ball for a moment and shook his head as the Dallas boo-birds—already angry over the score—hooted and jeered.
The Cowboys were penalized 5 yards for being offside, so Clark attempted a second onside kick. This time he managed to kick the ball. Both teams dove for it as it bounced, but all the smashing helmets, hurling bodies, and clawing fingers were for naught. Clark's kick hadn't gone the required 10 yards. Once again, Dallas was penalized 5 yards.
By now, Clark could feel the heat steaming off the necks of his irritated teammates. He sure wasn't going to screw up on his third straight kickoff attempt. This time he had a foolproof plan. He ran up to the ball and booted it deep.
For this mortifying kicking episode, Clark was dishonored by the Dallas Bonehead Club. At the award ceremonies, Clark properly chastised himself by saying, "Everyone is entitled to make a mistake, but not in front of 70,000 spectators and a national TV audience."