Packers DT Kenny Clark: Lack of props from peers 'messes with my mind'
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Kenny Clark’s breakout 2019 season came at the right time. Cracking his first Pro Bowl roster, Clark caught a natural springboard into the final season of his rookie contract.
His six sacks and 62 tackles — not to mention constant double teams — warranted the selection. At just 24 years old, Clark tied for sixth among the NFL’s interior linemen in sacks and was fourth in tackles. He was the youngest interior lineman to rank among the league’s top eight in sacks or tackles, and Clark did both.
But when the NFL Network released its top 100 players this offseason, a list voted on by fellow players in the league, Clark was not included.
No, that didn’t sit well with the former first-round pick.
“Sometimes it just messes with my mind,” Clark said, “because I don’t know what (more) I can do or show. I don’t know. I don’t know. It’s clearly, I don’t know if they don’t respect me as much or because I’m inside, they don’t see (me). They don’t know the game, they aren’t watching the film. They don’t see me on tape as much. I’m not making as much splash plays. I don’t know what it is.
“I gotta get back to work and just keep proving myself again this year. I plan on having another great year and hopefully they see that this year.”
Another great year would again come at the right time, especially given the potential salary-cap restraints expected if the coronavirus pandemic dwindles league revenue this fall. Clark brushed aside a question about his contract status, saying he’s focused on how he plays.
Still, the need for a big year made for an easy decision when considering whether or not to opt out because of COVID-19 this season. No, Clark said, he never considered it.
“I just miss football man,” he said.