Ernie Clark, former Detroit Lions and Michigan State football standout, dies at 86
Former Detroit Lions and Michigan State linebacker Ernie Clark died Sunday at his residence in Buffalo. He was 86.
Clark was a two-way star at MSU under Duffy Daugherty in the early 1960s and a 13th round pick by the Lions in the 1963 draft.
He played five seasons with the Lions in 1963-67 and had seven fumble recoveries and three interceptions in 45 starts. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for defensive end Joe Robb in 1968.
“My father and I were honored to represent Ernie for more than two decades,” said Jim Acho, Clark’s longtime attorney. “A great player, coach and most importantly a great humanitarian who saw the good in everybody.”
After his playing career, Clark served as a spokesperson for HAP health insurance and was defensive coordinator at Chadsey High in the Detroit Public School League.
He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl, and her son, Troy.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him @davebirkett.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ernie Clark, former Lions and Michigan State star, dies at 86
