INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts’ Ring of Honor is expanding.
Welcome to the club, Dallas Clark.
The team announced Monday it was adding the standout tight end to its Ring of Honor. He will be inducted during the upcoming season.
Clark, a 2003 first-round draft pick, was viewed by then-general manager Bill Polian to the missing piece in the Colts’ high-powered offense. He joined completed quarterback Peyton Manning, wide receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne and running back Edgerrin James.
Clark’s NFL career spanned 16 seasons, but he established himself as one of the NFL’s top tight ends during a nine-year stint in Indy. Along with being an instrumental part of the 2006 Super Bowl championship team, he started 111 of 115 games and finished with 427 receptions, 4,887 yards and 46 touchdowns.
Among Colts’ tight ends, Clark holds team records for receptions and TDs and ranks second in yards.
In 2009, Clark piled up 100 receptions for 1,106 yards and 10 TDs. He was first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection.
“The Colts have had a long and historic tradition of record-breaking tight ends and receivers, and Dallas Clark stands alongside all these greats who have worn the horseshoe,’’ owner Jim Irsay said in a news release. “In today’s game, tight ends have become so much more dynamic and important to the offensive side of the ball, and Dallas was one of the pioneers with his style of play.
“He was electrifying, tough and dependable on the field and a great teammate and person off the field. And of course he was a key piece in bringing Indianapolis its first world championship.’’
After his decorated nine-year career with the Colts, Clark spent time with Baltimore and Tampa Bay.
Preceding Clark in the Ring of Honor: Robert Mathis, Dwight Freeney, Reggie Wayne, Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James, Marvin Harrison, Tarik Glenn, Jeff Saturday, Bill Polian, Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Tony Dungy, Jim Harbaugh, Chris Hinton, Ted Marchibroda, Bill Brooks, Robert Irsay, The 12th Man.