Jack Clancy

Infobox NFLretired


width=
caption=Jack Clancy, Miami Dolphins 1968
position=wide receiver
number=24
birthdate=birth date and age|mf=yes|1944|6|18
city-state|Humboldt|Iowa
deathdate=
debutyear=1967
finalyear=1970
draftyear=1966
draftround=5
draftpick=73
college=Michigan
teams=Miami Dolphins (1967-1969)
Green Bay Packers (1970)
stat1label=reception
stat1value=104
stat2label=Yards
stat2value=1401
stat3label=Touchdowns
stat3value=5
pfr=
dbf=CLANCJAC01
highlights=American Football League All-star
AFL rookie reception record
Consensus All-American
Michigan Wolverine MVP
Michigan All-Time Records:Single-game rec. yds. (1966-):Single-season rec. yds. (1966-94):Single-season rec. (1966-2001):Career rec. yds. (1966-81):Career rec. (1966-82)Big 10 Single-season rec. (1966-80)
HOF=
CollegeHOF=

Jack David Clancy (born June 18, 1944 in city-state|Humboldt|Iowa) is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Miami Dolphins in 1967 and 1969 and for the Green Bay Packers in 1970. He also played in college for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1963-1966.

At Michigan, Clancy started as a quarterback, switched to halfback, returned punts and kickoffs, and became a star as an end. In two seasons as an end (1965-1966), Clancy rewrote the Michigan receiving record book. At the time of his graduation, he held the school records for most receptions and receiving yards in a career, season and game. His 1966 total of 197 receiving yards against Oregon State remains Michigan's single-game receiving record. He was named an All-American and also set the Big Ten Conference record for most receptions in a single season of conference play. Though most of his records have since been broken, Clancy continues to rank among the leading receivers in Michigan history.

Clancy was drafted by the Miami Dolphins of the American Football League. In 1967, quarterback Bob Griese and Clancy were both rookies for the Dolphins. Clancy caught 67 passes that year, setting an AFL rookie record. He was third in the AFL in receptions in 1967 and eighth in receiving yards. He was named to the 1967 AFL All-star game. After a sensational rookie season, Clancy suffered a serious knee injury in a 1968 exhibition game and missed the entire season. While making a comeback in 1969, Clancy suffered an injury to his other knee. Traded to the Green Bay Packers in 1970, Clancy was unable to return to his prior form after the knee injuries. He made only 16 receptions in 14 games and was released by the Packers before the start of the 1971 season.

College

A native of city-state|Fort Dodge|Iowa, [cite news|author=AP wire service report|title=Clancy Is Honored|publisher=Fresno Bee|date= [1965-11-23] ] Clancy's family moved to the Green Bay, Wisconsin area, where Clancy attended elementary school. His family next moved to Michigan, where Clancy graduated from St. Mary's High School in city-state|Redford|Michigan. Clancy then enrolled at the University of Michigan. As a freshman in 1962, Clancy was on the roster as a quarterback but did not play. [cite web|url=http://141.211.39.65/allroster/fbsearch.htm|title=Bentley Historical Library -- -- U of M Football Rosters: Clancy|date=2003-08-25|accessdate=2007-11-30|publisher=The Regents of the University of Michigan]

1963 season

In 1963, Clancy appeared in nine games as a halfback and also returned punts and kickoffs. He generated 520 yards of total offense: 228 yards on kickoff returns, 109 yards rushing, 105 yards on punt returns, and 78 yard receiving.cite web|url=http://stats.ath.umich.edu/football/footstart.php|title=Michigan Football Statistic Archive Query Page|accessdate=2007-12-06|publisher=Regents of the University of Michigan|date=2003] Against Minnesota in 1963, he fumbled a punt at Michigan's 35-yard line; the ball rolled toward the Michigan goal line and was recovered by Michigan at its own 16-yard line. Michigan punted from deep in its own territory on second down, and Minnesota cashed in on the field position with the game's only touchdown in a 6–0 Minnesota victory. [cite news|title=Gophers Frustrate Michigan|publisher=Long Beach Independent Press-Telegram|date= [1963-10-27] ]

1964 season

Clancy was named the starting halfback before the start of the 1964 season.cite web|url=http://www.bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fballam/aaclancy.htm|title=University of Michigan Football All-American, 1966, Team Captain, 1966: Jack Clancy|accessdate=2007-11-30|date=2007-01-10|publisher=The Regents of the University of Michigan] However, he suffered a back injury in September 1964 and spent more than two weeks in the University Hospital before being released on September 17, 1964.cite news|author=AP wire service report|title=U-M Halfback Is Sidelined|publisher=Ironwood Daily Globe|date= [1966-09-19] ] [cite news|author=Liska, Jerry|title=U-M Works on Aerial Attack|publisher=Ironwood Daily Globe|date= [1966-09-10] ] [cite news|author=AP wire service report|title='M' Dark Horse At Best: Bump|publisher=The News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, Mich.)|date= [1966-09-12] ] As a result of the injury, Clancy missed Michigan's Big Ten championship season in 1964, as Jim Detwiler took over his halfback spot. Clancy was given an extra year of eligibility for missing the 1964 season. Quarterback Dick Vidmer also missed the 1964 season with a broken leg;cite news|title=Rose Bowl Squads at Full Strength|publisher=The Capital Times|date= [1964-12-30] ] Vidmer and Clancy would return from their injuries as a powerful passing and receiving combination in 1966.

1965 season

In 1965, Clancy switched to end and became the first Michigan Wolverine with 50 receptions in a season, and set Michigan single-season records with 52 receptions and 762 yards. In his first game at the end position, Clancy made what was described as "a circus catch" in the endzone on a pass from quarterback Dick Vidmer. [cite news|title=Michigan Rolls to 31-24 Win Over Tough Tar Heels|publisher=The Lima News|date= [1965-09-19] ] Clancy set the Big Ten receiving record in against Wisconsin, catching a 52-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Wally Gabler on Michigan's first offensive play. [cite news|author=Butler, Tom|title=Michigan Buries Badgers, 50-14: Erupts for Five Scores in First Half|publisher=Wisconsin State Journal|date= [1965-10-31] ] At the time, the Associated Press reported: "What makes Clancy's record so much more impressive is the fact that he came to Michigan as a quarterback, switched to halfback and won a spot there two years ago and then turned to end this season. And with Michigan's reputation for always having talented ends—Benny Oosterbaan, Lowell Perry, Ron Kramer and John Henderson among them—Clancy's feat takes on even more brilliance." [cite news|author=Kennedy, Bernie|title=Clancy Set New Michigan Record: In Stunning Win Saturday Over Wisconsin, 50-14|publisher=The News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, Mich.)|date= [1965-11-01] ] At the end of the season, Clancy's teammates chose him as captain for the 1966 season.cite news|author=AP wire service report|title=Ex-Iowa Gridder Michigan Captain|publisher=Muscatine, Iowa Journal|date= [1965-11-23] ] [cite news|author=UPI wire service report|title=Clancy Elected Michigan Captain|publisher=The Holland, Michigan Evening Sentinel|date= [1965-11-23] ] He was also named a second-team All-Big Ten player by the United Press International (UPI). [cite news|title=Spartans Top UPI Squad|publisher=Pacific Stars and Stripes|date= [1965-11-26]

1966 season

Before the 1966 season, Clancy spent the summer in city-state|Ann Arbor|Michigan practicing with Michigan's quarterback Dick Vidmer, cornerback Mike Bass and safety Rick Volk. Clancy and Vidmer worked as a unit through the summer, trying to outmaneuver Bass and Volk. Clancy noted, "If I could catch three or four passes against those guys I'd be doing good." The summer sessions paid off, as both Clancy and Volk were named All-Americans in 1966. [cite web|title=1966 Football Team|url=http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1966fbt.htm|publisher=The Regents of the University of Michigan] Michigan opened the season with a 41–0 win over Oregon State. In that game, Vidmer threw 10 passes to Clancy for 197 yards. Vidmer's first completion to Clancy went for 49 yards and set up Michigan's first touchdown. After the game, the UPI wrote that Clancy and Vidmer were "almost too good for each other."cite news|title=Michigan Passing Combo 'Too Good'|publisher=The Daily Review (Hayward, CA)|date=1966-09-21] Clancy also led the attack in a 49–0 win over Minnesota on October 22, 1966, catching 10 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns, including a 56-yard touchdown pass. [cite news|title=Wolverines Romp; MSU Stops Purdue|publisher=the Holland, Michigan Evening Sentinel|date=1966-10-24] In 1966, Clancy had three games in which he caught at least 10 catches and broke his own school records with 76 receptions for 1,079 yards. [cite web|url=http://stats.ath.umich.edu/football/gametot.php?gkey=164|title=Versus Oregon State September 17, 1966|accessdate=2007-11-30|date=2003|publisher=Regents of the University of Michigan] His 50 receptions and 698 yards in conference play were also new Big Ten Conference records. [cite news|title=Records Erased in Big Ten Football|publisher=The Capital Times (Wisc.)|date=1966-11-26] He was named an All-American in 1966 and also received the team's Most Valuable Player award. [cite web|url=http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1966fbt.htm|title=1966 Football Team|publisher=The Regents of the University of Michigan|accessdate=2007-11-30|date=2007-03-31]

Records

After the 1966 season, Clancy held most major school receiving records at Michigan, as well as many Big Ten Conference records. His accomplishments included:
* "Single season receptions in Big Ten Conference play". Clancy was the first player with 50 receptions in Big Ten Conference play (in only seven conference games). His record was broken in 1980 when Keith Chappelle (Iowa) and Dave Young (Purdue) each recorded 51 receptions in eight conference games. The record was not broken on a per game rate until 1983 when Ricky Edwards (Northwestern) recorded 68 receptions in nine games. [cite web|url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2007bigtenfbguide.pdf|accessdate=2007-12-01|title=Big Ten Football: Annual Statistical Champions - Individual|publisher=The Big Ten Conference|format=PDF]
*"Career receptions and receiving yards". Clancy set Michigan career records with 132 receptions and 1,919 receiving yards. Anthony Carter broke Clancy's career receiving yards record in 1981 and his receptions record in 1982. Clancy now ranks eleventh in receptions and thirteenth in yardage.cite web|url=http://stats.ath.umich.edu/football/footstart.php|title=Michigan Football Statistic Archive Query Page|publisher=Regents of the University of Michigan|date=2003|accessdate=2007-11-30]
*"Single game receiving yards". As of early 2008, Clancy's 197 yards receiving continued to be the Michigan single-game record. He is also the only receiver with two of the top six and three of the top fifteen yardage games. In addition to the 197-yard effort, Clancy had 10 receptions for 166 yards against Minnesota and 11 receptions for 179 yards against the Illinois. [cite web|url=http://stats.ath.umich.edu/football/gametot.php?gkey=158|title=Versus Illinois November 5, 1966|accessdate=2007-11-30|date=2003|publisher=Regents of the University of Michigan] [cite web|url=http://stats.ath.umich.edu/football/gametot.php?gkey=160|title=Versus Minnesota October 22, 1966|accessdate=2007-11-30|date=2003|publisher=Regents of the University of Michigan]
* "Single season receptions". Clancy also set the single-season receptions record with 76 catches in 1966 (playing a 10 game schedule). Marquise Walker broke Clancy's record with 86 receptions in 2001 (playing a 13 game schedule). Clancy now ranks fifth in single-season receptions, but only Braylon Edwards has matched him on a comparable games basis with 76 receptions in his first 10 games of 2004.
*"Single season yardage". Clancy also held the single-season yardage record of 1077 until 1994 when Amani Toomer recorded 1096 in 12 games. He currently ranks seventh on the single-season receptions list. No receiver has surpassed his single-season yardage total in the first 10 games of the season. Braylon Edwards (76 receptions for 1049 yards in 2004) and Mario Manningham (62 receptions for 1062 yards in 2007) are the only other Michigan receivers to reach 1000 yards in their 10th game of a season.

Michigan single-season reception yardage

;100-Yard Games

N.B. All games were road losses.

ee also

* Lists of Michigan Wolverines football receiving leaders
* Michigan Wolverines Football All-Americans
* University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor

Notes

Further reading

* Bruce Madej, "Michigan: Champions of the West" (1997 Sports Publishing), p. 145.

Persondata
NAME = Clancy, Jack
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = College and Professional American football player
DATE OF BIRTH = June 18, 1944
PLACE OF BIRTH = Humboldt, Iowa
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =