Monte Clark

IIt is ironic that I made most of my living working on Sundays in the NFL, as a player and coach, because I was raised in a very devout and strict Christian family, and I was not allowed to go to movies, dances, or even play sports on the “Lord’s Day”. My Sunday was consumed with worship – both in the morning and in the evening.

While I did step away from the injunction against playing on Sunday, I maintained the wonderful example my parents had given me – the example of commitment and dedication. Later, when I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior I received the gift of assurance and confidence that surpass commitment and dedication. That assurance and confidence played a great part in my career as a player in the NFL for 11 seasons, and my subsequent long career as a coach or consultant.

There has been a lot of great moments for me in the NFL. Playing with the Cleveland Browns, I was part of two championship games – winning the title in 1964 and then losing to the Green Bay Packers in 1965. I was the line coach with the Miami Dolphins in three Super Bowls, winning two, one of which was the only perfect season in the history of the NFL, the 17-0 Dolphins of 1972. Being in five Championship or Super Bowl games, and owing three title rings is a great blessing. I owe so much to the Lord, and some as well to the Dolphin linemen: Evans, Little, Langer, Kuechenberg and Moore.

I often pray, “Lord, let me be Your man on this job.” There have been successes, and, of course, there have been disappointments and frustrations. It is my faith that has given me the strength through difficult times, and that’s when I found that the only way I could be God’s man on the job was to rely completely on His promise: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5,6)

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