CHADRON – Looking back on his football career, Jess Clarke realizes how nicely everything fell into place for him.
Like how former NFL player Joe Planansky moved back home to coach the Chadron State tight ends and receivers during Clarke’s time on the Eagle roster.
“That was a great year,” he said.
Or how Clarke spent his redshirt year for Chadron State College behind Cory Brooks, who has the most career receptions and receiving yards in CSC program history.
But Clarke caught perhaps his biggest break before he even stepped foot on Chadron State College’s campus — when he had no intentions on even playing college football.
Sure the Alliance High graduate had a decent career for the Bulldogs, but he had his mind set on playing another sport in college.
“I really wanted to go down somewhere in Kansas – Barton County – and try my hand at baseball,” Clarke said.
But a quick sit down from then-AHS head football coach Jeff Tomlin opened Clarke’s eyes a little bit.
“He pulled me into his office one afternoon and he basically just told me that if I really wanted to put in the effort and the time, than I could probably be successful at the next level,” Clarke said. “I had never heard that before.”
He took that advice to heart and never looked back.
In turn, Clarke became one of the most decorated receivers in Eagle football history.
Because of his accomplishments on the field, Clarke is being inducted into the CSC Hall of Fame Oct. 31 after Chadron State’s home football contest with New Mexico Highlands.
“I’m proud. Humbled,” Clarke said. “It’s something you never expect, I guess. You start to reflect a little bit on your playing career and who helped you and who helped you get through it.”
Perhaps it was good Clarke chose against baseball.
Perhaps not.
“I don’t play the what if game,” he said.
Regardless, football turned out just fine for the Alliance native.
As a four-year starter, Clarke racked up 168 receptions for 2,673 yards and 15 touchdowns for Chadron State.
He ranks third on Chadron State’s all-time reception list and second in total receiving yards. He was named to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference First Team and earned Nebraska NCAA Division II honors by the Omaha World-Herald his senior year.
Plus, he was named to the Chadron State College All-Century team.
Yeah, football turned out just fine for Clarke.
“I wouldn’t trade my career, the friends that I made and the people I met along the way, for anything,” Clarke said.
But Clarke doesn’t focus much on his statistics. Doesn’t really care about them, actually. Putting up big numbers each time out wasn’t exactly his game, anyway. He was more of a consistent force.
“I started for four years so the numbers basically added up,” he said. “I’m humbled and honored, but they’re just honors.”
In fact, one of Clarke’s better games he can remember came in the a playoff game his junior season against Central Oklahoma.
“And we lost,” Clarke said.
What does stand out to Clarke are the team victories over his career (like beating Kearney all four years), the playoff apperances and the championships.
But beyond the wins, he’ll always remember every teammate, coach and mentor he met along the way.
Those relationships mean far more to Clarke than any statistic or honor, he said.
“Football is unlike any other sport,” he said.
“The camaraderie you develop with your teammates is unlike anything else. That bond never leaves.”
Clarke, now an accountant in Alliance, still keeps up with the Chadron State College football program, usually making it a game or two per season.
“I’m close, I’m only 50 miles away,” he said.
Clarke can certainly add Chadron State’s Oct. 31 game against New Mexico Highlands to his calendar this year.