Kenny Clark Named Cowboys Captain Against Former Team, Packers
In a compelling narrative of professional sports, the Dallas Cowboys have announced that defensive tackle Kenny Clark will serve as Captain of the Week for their highly anticipated matchup against his former team, the Green Bay Packers. This symbolic gesture adds an extra layer of intrigue to Sunday’s contest at AT&T Stadium.
A Return to Remember
While the Cowboys have opted not to formally honor former first-round pick Micah Parsons in his return to Dallas as a Packer, the spotlight shines brightly on Clark. The veteran defensive tackle joins a distinguished group of season-long captains, including Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Osa Odighizuwa, Donovan Wilson, Brandon Aubrey, and C.J. Goodwin.
This captaincy is a testament to Clark’s immediate impact and leadership within the Cowboys’ locker room since his offseason trade from Green Bay.
Praise from the Sidelines
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer highlighted Clark’s character and on-field prowess when announcing the captaincy. “In talking to some of their coaches in passing since the trade, they’ve said how much they miss Kenny as a man, as a teammate, and his play style,” Schottenheimer told reporters on Friday. “So happy to have Kenny.”
Clark’s nine seasons with the Packers saw him become a three-time Pro Bowler, a testament to his consistent dominance on the defensive line. Now, facing his former team, Clark admitted the experience would be “weird.”
“It’ll definitely be weird when I’m out there,” Clark said. “You’ll see those yellow helmets and be like, ‘Damn, I was just over there.'”
Unwavering Professionalism
Despite the emotional reunion, Clark’s focus remains squarely on securing a victory for Dallas. He’s already planned a post-game jersey swap with former teammate, linebacker Rashan Gary, showcasing the enduring camaraderie that transcends team allegiances.
Tight end Tucker Kraft, another former Packer, lauded Clark’s leadership. “Kenny Clark was kind of that person people would look to in the sense of, what do we need to do? He was a walking standard,” Kraft remarked, underscoring the respect Clark commanded in Green Bay.
A Sudden Transition
The trade that sent Clark to Dallas in exchange for Parsons and several draft picks came as a shock, happening just a week before the offseason concluded. Clark recounted the emotional toll it took on his family, a common experience for players in the business of professional football.
“My mom was hot. My mom was hot,” Clark shared, via Ryan Wood. “My girl, my brothers, they were all pretty emotional about it. I had to explain to them, everybody gets this call if you play long enough.”
Eyes on the Prize
Despite the personal connections, Clark’s competitive spirit remains undimmed. He has already made a significant impact for the Cowboys this season, recording 10 tackles, one sack, and one tackle for loss through three games.
“It is a real connection but at the end of the day we trying to get to 1-0,” Clark affirmed. “It’s not about me. It’s about the Cowboys getting a win. I’m going to do everything in my power for us to do that.”
This Week 4 clash between the Cowboys and Packers promises to be a compelling spectacle, with Kenny Clark at the heart of the action, leading his new team against his storied past. For more comprehensive NFL news and insights, visit NFL.com.
