For all the iconic players Dan Clark blocked with and for in his years with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, he never really considered himself among them.
"I'm not going to sugarcoat it. I'm shocked,” the longtime offensive line mainstay told reporters earlier this week after being announced as one of this year’s inductees into the Riders’ Plaza of Honour. “Not to sound like that humble guy that continues to be that way, but there's many people that deserve this over myself.”
The Plaza selection committee and at least one former teammate begged to differ, rewarding Clark’s effort, longevity, on-field success and extensive contributions to the community through school visits and other initiatives.
“When I think of Danny, it's just the effort,” fellow 2026 inductee, receiver Rob Bagg, told reporters. “I remember in his first couple years when, even on the practice roster, if you told me to go on the scout kickoff team, everyone's saying, "How is Clarky running that fast down the field 12 times during scout team?"
“But it's just this willingness to do whatever the team's asked. Embrace the role and whether it's a small one or a big one, you take it on with your full heart. And when I think of Danny Clark in particular, I just think of an individual that would do anything for the other guys in the same colour. And, yeah, just the ultimate team guy.”
A graduate of Thom Collegiate in Regina, Clark signed with the Riders in 2009 and dressed for his first CFL game in 2012. He broke his leg early in the 2022 season and retired after that year having played 131 career games, all in green and white.
He also retired a Grey Cup champion (2013) and one-time CFL all-star (2019).
“It's just surreal,” Clark said in a separate interview with the SportsCage radio program. “That's something that you never expect coming from Thom Collegiate, the RMF (Regina Minor Football), and just hopefully laid down the grounds for the future Saskatchewan Roughrider kids from Saskatchewan.”
And part of the message to those kids?
“There's going to be challenges,” Clark continued. “There's going to be times where you don't think you belong. There's going to be times where you even question yourself, if you have that, if you can make it through it. You can. And those all those times when you sit back and you think, can I do it? You definitely can.
“It's going to take hard work and dedication, but what are you willing to sacrifice to make those goals happen? If I could spend time again with that 19-year-old kid, I would say never stop believing in yourself. Never stop when a coach asks you to do something. Always be there. Always be that person to go above and beyond when they need you. And just … trust the process.”
Clark and Bagg will be honoured alongside former longtime kicker Paul McCallum at halftime of the Riders’ Oct. 17 game against the Montreal Alouettes.
