George Clark - (2004)

      During a football game in 1945 against Bogue Field’s military team, Duke’s George Clark suffered two fractured bones in his back. But two weeks later he was back at tailback, cracking through Wake Forest’s defense for a then school record 214 yards rushing and helping spark a 26-19 Blue Devils victory.

      Talk about an Iron Duke, Clark was of that ilk. In an era before players wore face masks, the elusive, 5-10, 168-pound Blue Devil was hard-nosed and hard to tackle.

He made third-team All-America in 1945, was voted Duke’s Most Valuable Player in ‘46, and still holds the school record for the longest punt return — a 95-yard dash against Wake Forest.

      Clark doesn’t recall all the details of his record run, but remembers teammate Tom Davis springing him loose with a block that “knocked the guy out in the track.”

      Give Clark a slit of daylight, and by George, he could go. “He was shifty,’’ Davis said. “When he got in the open, he could out maneuver them.”

      Clark ran with a song in his heart. He played touchdown tunes on Saturday afternoons and sang in the Chapel Choir on Sundays.

      A standout at Wilson High under legendary coach Leon Brogden, Clark had the will to succeed, be it music or football. On the field, he also had sprinter’s speed.

      “Wanting to win — that’s what makes you successful,’’ said the 78-year old Clark, a semi-retired Life Insurance salesman in High Point. “I don’t know where I got it. My mother instilled a strong desire to do your best.”

      Clark’s interest in Duke was spawned largely by Tom Davis, Jap Davis and Bill Davis — standout athletes from Wilson who played for Wallace Wade’s Blue Devils. Also, Duke was a national football power then and renowned for its academic prowess.

      Clark’s brightest gridiron glory might have come in the ‘46 Sugar Bowl, when he scored two touchdowns — including the game winner — in a 29-26 victory over Alabama.

      Operating in the single-wing, Clark scored on a play called “B37.” He started off tackle, read a double-team block on the defensive end, cut outside and was end zone bound.

      “I played behind some good players,’’ said a self-effacing Clark, whose jersey No. 28 is displayed in the Yoh Football Building at Duke.

Life wasn’t all touchdowns and triumphs, however. Duke lost to Charlie “Choo-Choo” Justice-led North Carolina in both ‘46 and ‘47, which still haunts Clark. “That was about as bad as I can remember,’’ he lamented. “I didn’t like losing to Carolina.”

      After graduating from Duke, Clark played pro football briefly in New Jersey and earned enough money to buy a car. While there he also got a Masters Degree in Music Education at Columbia University.

      Then he settled in High Point, worked as choir director at High Point United Methodist Church and started a family (3 children).

      In 1955 he launched a successful 49-year career in the life insurance business, supported community activities, and later became an active member at Wesleyan Memorial Methodist Church.

      “He’s a jolly person with a positive outlook,” said Eddie Huss, director of music at Wesleyan. “[And] he has been very supportive of the church.”

      Clark still sings in the choir at Wesleyan, enjoys spending time with his wife, Marie,  — and treasures a multitude of fond football memories.        

by A.J. Carr

May 20, 2004