We’re counting down to the season opener (Day 59) with some Cowboys history
We’re counting down the days until the Dallas Cowboys battle the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener of the 2025 NFL season. To pass the time and mark the days, we running through 100 Days of Cowboys. So sit back and enjoy some Cowboys history while we countdown to football.
Today – number 59.
Frank Clarke
Born: February 7, 1934. Beloit, Wisconsin
Position: Tight end
Dallas Cowboys: 1960-1967
Awards: All-Pro- 1964
NFL receiving touchdowns leader (1962)
In celebration of #BHM, we recognize Frank Clarke (1934-2018) who was the first African American star player on the @dallascowboys as wide receiver, during a time when the team played in a racially divided Dallas.
: Dallas Cowboys Weekly pic.twitter.com/bqlxgez40u
— Dallas Sports Commission (@dallas_sports) February 16, 2023
Frank Clarke played receiver for the Dallas Cowboys from 1960 to 1967, becoming one of the franchise’s first true offensive stars. Originally a reserve in Cleveland, Clarke blossomed in Dallas, known for his speed, precise routes, and big-play ability. He was the first receiver in Cowboys history to record a 1,000-yard season and held numerous team receiving records by the time he retired. Clarke led the NFL in touchdown receptions in 1962, with 14 touchdowns, and played a key role in helping establish the Cowboys as a competitive team in the league’s early expansion era. He still ranks eighth in Cowboys history in receiving yards and his 50 career receiving touchdowns is still sixth-most in team history.
Sadly, Clarke passed away in 2018, at the age of 84 after a life of trailblazing in Colorado, Dallas and then broadcasting.
The original 82, Frank Clarke, scoring against Pittsburgh and is considered the Cowboys first deep-threat receiver.#DallasCowboys #Cowboys #NFL pic.twitter.com/nDQxGoGLUD
— Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) June 17, 2024
Best known for:
Clarke was best known for being the Cowboys’ first standout receiver, setting early franchise records and becoming a favorite target of quarterback Don Meredith during the team’s formative years.
This week in Cowboys history, the team choose 36 players from the pool made available by other NFL clubs. (The 1960 draft had already happened by the time the team was a franchise).
Frank Clarke, one of the players selected, was the 1st WR to reach 1,000 yds in club history. #TBT pic.twitter.com/22zVXGnx4Q— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) March 12, 2020
Lesser known fact:
After retiring, Clarke became a first in broadcasting, becoming one of the first Black sports anchors on television in the United States, breaking barriers in both professional football and the media industry.
✭ COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF ✭
With 100 days to go until the #Cowboys kickoff the season against the #Eagles, we are counting down with a @BloggingTheBoys Top-100 consensus ranking.We asked staffers to give in their top-100, here is:
DAY 59
Frank Clarke#DallasCowboys… pic.twitter.com/O35dj6Oiw0— Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) July 7, 2025