Jack Clancy

Jack David Clancy (born June 18, 1944) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins in 1967 and 1969 and for the Green Bay Packers in 1970.

His family next moved to Garden City, Michigan, where Clancy attended Garden City schools, then the family moved to Detroit, where he graduated in 1962 from St. Mary of Redford High School.

Clancy then enrolled at the University of Michigan.

As a freshman in 1962, Clancy was on the roster as a quarterback but did not play.

He played college football Michigan Wolverines from 1963 to 1966.

At the University of Michigan, Clancy started as a quarterback, switched to halfback, returned punts and kickoffs, and became a star as an end.

In 1963, Clancy appeared in nine games as a halfback and also returned punts and kickoffs.

He generated 520 yards of total offense: 228 yards on kickoff returns, 109 yards rushing, 105 yards on punt returns, and 78 yard receiving.

Against Minnesota in 1963, he fumbled a punt at Michigan's 35-yard line; the ball rolled toward the Michigan goal line and was recovered by Michigan at its own 16-yard line.

Michigan punted from deep in its own territory on second down, and Minnesota cashed in on the field position with the game's only touchdown in a 6–0 Minnesota victory.

Clancy was named the starting halfback before the start of the 1964 season.

However, he suffered a back injury in September 1964 and spent more than two weeks in the University Hospital before being released on September 17, 1964.

As a result of the injury, Clancy missed Michigan's Big Ten championship season in 1964, as Jim Detwiler took over his halfback spot.

Clancy was given an extra year of eligibility for missing the 1964 season.

Quarterback Dick Vidmer also missed the 1964 season with a broken leg; Vidmer and Clancy would return from their injuries as a powerful passing and receiving combination in 1966.

In two seasons as an end (1965–1966), Clancy rewrote the Michigan receiving record book.

At the time of his graduation, he held the school records for most receptions and receiving yards in a career, season and game.

In 1965, Clancy switched to end and became the first Michigan Wolverine with 50 receptions in a season, and set Michigan single-season records with 52 receptions and 762 yards.

In his first game at the end position, Clancy made what was described as "a circus catch" in the endzone on a pass from quarterback Dick Vidmer.

Clancy set the Big Ten receiving record in against Wisconsin, catching a 52-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Wally Gabler on Michigan's first offensive play.

At the time, the Associated Press reported: "What makes Clancy's record so much more impressive is the fact that he came to Michigan as a quarterback, switched to halfback and won a spot there two years ago and then turned to end this season. And with Michigan's reputation for always having talented ends—Benny Oosterbaan, Lowell Perry, Ron Kramer and John Henderson among them—Clancy's feat takes on even more brilliance."

At the end of the season, Clancy's teammates chose him as captain for the 1966 season.

He was also named a second-team All-Big Ten player by the United Press International (UPI).

Before the 1966 season, Clancy spent the summer in Ann Arbor, Michigan practicing with Michigan's quarterback Dick Vidmer, cornerback Mike Bass and safety Rick Volk.

Clancy and Vidmer worked as a unit through the summer, trying to outmaneuver Bass and Volk.

Clancy noted, "If I could catch three or four passes against those guys I'd be doing good."

The summer sessions paid off, as both Clancy and Volk were named All-Americans in 1966.

In 1967, quarterback Bob Griese and Clancy were both rookies for the Dolphins.

Clancy caught 67 passes that year, setting an AFL rookie record.

He was third in the AFL in receptions in 1967 and eighth in receiving yards.

He was named to the 1967 AFL All-star game.

After a sensational rookie season, Clancy suffered a serious knee injury in a 1968 exhibition game and missed the entire season.

While making a comeback in 1969, Clancy suffered an injury to his other knee.

Traded to the Green Bay Packers in 1970, Clancy was unable to return to his prior form after the knee injuries.

He made only 16 receptions in 14 games and was released by the Packers before the start of the 1971 season.

A native of Humboldt, Iowa, Clancy's family moved to the Green Bay, Wisconsin area, where Clancy attended elementary school.

His 1966 total of 197 receiving yards against Oregon State remained Michigan's single-game receiving record until November 6, 2010.

He was named an All-American and also set the Big Ten Conference record for most receptions in a single season of conference play.

Though most of his records have since been broken, Clancy continues to rank among the leading receivers in Michigan history.

Clancy was drafted by the Miami Dolphins of the American Football League (AFL).