The career of Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Frank Clark has had its share of highs and lows that tend to cloud the perception of his play.
A talented defensive lineman with multiple Pro Bowl selections has battled injuries and off-the-field issues during his professional tenure. Clark finished the regular season strong and consistently showed his dominance in postseason play.
Head coach Andy Reid has emerged as a mentor and guide for Clark throughout his tenure in Kansas City. The two were spotted sharing a wholesome moment on the sidelines after the AFC Championship Game win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Clark revealed details about their unique relationship on Thursday while speaking with reporters.
“I love him because of the man he is first, not the coach, (but) the man he is,” said Clark. “And I feel like if you know him from that standpoint, you will be able to attest to what I am saying. A lot of guys know him as a coach, and they only see the coach side of him. I (have) actually been fortunate enough to see the other side of him where I had a lot of conversations with him from that standpoint. Just helping me become a better father, helping me understand life a little bit more, and some of my tougher situations I (had) to endure over the last two years and just sticking by me. Understanding that guys do have some bad times, guys do (mess) up sometimes, but sometimes you got to have those guys there. You know, it’s the guys there for the guys that mess up, you know, are just important.
During the AFC Championship Game victory, Clark hit an impressive career milestone, passing Hall of Famer Reggie White and former Chiefs LB Terrell Suggs for the third-most sacks in postseason history. He’s set aside his off-the-field issues and struggles to take his game to a higher level in the postseason and he gives Reid a lot of credit for helping him get there.
Reid has been one of Clark’s biggest supporters throughout his struggles on the field and off of it. Clark even likens Reid to a father figure after having lost his father in a house fire the year before he was traded to Kansas City.
“For me, having (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid there was big because my father passed a few years ago – I lost my father in a house fire a few years ago – so you know the father figures are of lack at times,” said Clark. “Having a guy like that, I spend a lot of time with Coach. We spend 70% of our week, we at the building. We in here from eight in the morning to six at night sometimes, and camp is even longer, so I’ve spent a lot of time with Andy, and we have a great relationship. The things we talk about on the record and the things we talk about off the record, it helped shape our relationship and (brought) us so close, and I feel like I’m able to talk about him about anything and just winning that game was one of those things, we kind of pissed it off the second year together, you know we lost to Tampa Bay. Last year, Bengals came in and got rid of us, and just to be able to get back in my fourth year here is just dope.”
A player’s intangibles are often discussed whenever analysts break down their worth; the same could be said for coaches. Reid’s ability to support players outside the football field is a well-noted and often overlooked aspect of his coaching. It’s one of the things that makes him great and that his players have always appreciated most about him.
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