Nate Clements
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| San Francisco 49ers — No. 22 | |
| Cornerback | |
| Date of birth: December 12, 1979 | |
| Place of birth: Shaker Heights, Ohio | |
| Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | Weight: 209 lb (95 kg) |
| National Football League debut | |
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| 2001 for the Buffalo Bills | |
| Career history | |
| College: Ohio State | |
| NFL Draft: 2001 / Round: 1 / Pick: 21 | |
Teams:
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| Career highlights and awards | |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
Nathan D. Clements (born December 12, 1979 in Shaker Heights, Ohio) is an American football player who currently plays cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL.
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[edit] High school career
Clements went to Shaker Heights High School. Clements excelled at both defensive back and quarterback and was named an All-American by USA Today, Blue Chip Illustrated and Super Prep.
During Clements' senior year, Coach David Sedmak decided best for his team to try an inverted Wing-T formation to utilize Clements as a running quarterback. Clements' senior year at Shaker Heights was exciting to watch as he showed pure athleticism running and gunning Shaker Heights into formidable state playoff contention.
Clements was also named first team All-Ohio during a season in which he had seven interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. He also returned two kicks for touchdowns. Clements led the Raiders to a playoff birth in 1997 and led them past a Euclid Panther team that featured Notre Dame back Tony Fisher. Clements also holds the Shaker record for career record for interceptions with 14. Shaker Heights High School retired his number 20 jersey in 2005.
[edit] College career
Clements attended the nearby Ohio State University, and went on to an impressive showing during his three years. With 14 interceptions, and having been a multi-year starter, Clements decided to forego his senior season with the Buckeyes and declare himself for the NFL.
[edit] Professional career
Clements was drafted out of the Ohio State University by the Buffalo Bills with the 21st pick of the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
Since then, Nate Clements has become a Pro Bowl cornerback, named to the AFC squad in 2002 and 2004. In 2004 he helped lead the Bills to a 9-7 record as part of the league's second-ranked defense. He became an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2006 season, and it was announced that he would not be re-signed by the Bills.
Clements has played in every game during his career, and started every game since 2002. Over that stretch he has piled up 27 interceptions. He remains one of the most exciting defensive backs in the league, as demonstrated by the four interceptions and two punts he has returned for touchdowns since 2002.
According to the NFL Network and ESPN, Clements will be the highest paid NFL defensive player in history, an eight-year, $80 million with $22 million guaranteed in a deal he has signed with the San Francisco 49ers. This contract has since been topped by defensive end Dwight Freeney, who signed a six-year, $72 million contract with $30 million guaranteed with the Indianapolis Colts on July 13, 2007. [1]
Clements will start in the secondary of the 49ers, featuring fellow former Pro-Bowlers Walt Harris and former Eagles safety Michael Lewis.
[edit] References
- ^ Grateful Freeney signs $72 million deal with Colts. Retrieved on 2007-07-13.
[edit] External links
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