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It is protected to say that Mark Clayton has left an enduring affect on the Dolphins‘ group. A member of the group’s Honor Roll, the five-time Professional Bowl receiver was a part of Miami’s prolific passing trio in the course of the Nineteen Eighties that included himself, fellow receiver Mark Duper and quarterback Dan Marino. The trio performed an integral position within the franchise reaching the 1984 Tremendous Bowl.
The second-leading receiver in Dolphins historical past, Clayton is remembered fondly by Dolphins followers. However his profession has been ignored by Corridor of Fame voters within the years following his retirement after the 1993 season. Clayton, throughout a current look on fullpressradio.com, mentioned his profession and why it ought to obtain Corridor of Fame consideration within the coming years. This is a part of what Clayton stated, by way of Sports activities Illustrated’s Clark Choose.
“I imagine I belong there, as a result of I do not know what else I may base it on apart from the numbers and stuff. I do not actually like going forwards and backwards with guys’ numbers, however in the event you have a look at Harold Carmichael’s numbers … he performed in the identical period that I did … (and) he performed 13 years. I performed 11. He is acquired perhaps a number of extra catches (590) than me (582) and a pair extra yards (8,985-8,974). I acquired extra touchdowns than him (84 to 79). However I needed to share my passes with a bunch of different nice gamers and receivers, and I nonetheless actually produced.
“I do not know what extra I can say. I performed the sport at a excessive stage. I went in opposition to one of the best of one of the best. So, I do not know what would make it another person’s flip and never mine.
“I really feel like I am positively worthy, and I might be fairly honored if I might get that decision. I believe that might actually put the icing on my profession, although I did not win a Tremendous Bowl … Since Dan is in, I believe I had a pleasant hand in getting him there. I really feel like I deserve and I belong there, additionally.”
Clayton’s factors are legitimate ones. A Professional Bowler 4 occasions over a five-year span, Clayton twice led the NFL in landing receptions. In 1984, the then-second 12 months professional caught an NFL-best 18 touchdowns whereas serving to Marino set then-NFL data for single season passing yards (5,084) and landing passes (48). He then caught two landing passes in Miami’s playoff victories over Seattle and Pittsburgh earlier than recording 92 yards on six receptions in the course of the Dolphins’ 38-16 loss to the 49ers in Tremendous Bowl XIX.
Clayton was one of many NFL’s most efficient receivers in an period when the passing recreation was really starting to become what it’s right now. The continued growth of the passing recreation, nonetheless, has dropped Clayton right into a tie for 66th on the NFL’s profession receiving listing. He’s tied with Corridor of Famer Fred Biletnikoff (the MVP of Tremendous Bowl XI) and simply forward of Wes Chandler, whose personal profession has but to significantly advantage Corridor of Fame consideration. Given the manufacturing of right now’s receivers, any receiver that does not have not less than 12,000 receiving yards goes to have turbulence in the case of getting Corridor of Fame votes.
There are a number of Corridor of Fame receivers that do not have Clayton’s numbers. The listing contains Paul Warfield, John Stallworth, Lynn Swann and Drew Pearson. These gamers, nonetheless, made massive performs in massive video games for groups that both received or performed in a number of Tremendous Bowls. Warfield received an NFL title as a rookie in Cleveland earlier than serving to the Dolphins win back-to-back titles within the early ’70s. Pearson was a key cog in Cowboys groups that performed in three Tremendous Bowls. Swann and Stallworth made a slew of massive performs within the Steelers‘ 4 Tremendous Bowl wins in the course of the ’70s. Clayton’s profession, pretty much as good because it was, is devoid of such performs or group success that might bolster his Corridor of Fame case.
Luckily for Clayton, the Corridor of Fame has chosen to acknowledge Carmichael and Pearson — two receivers who starred within the ’70s — in consecutive induction courses. Given the voters’ current inclusion of those receivers, the window should be open for Clayton and different embellished receivers from earlier eras to have their careers immortalized in Canton, Ohio.
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