Jim Clack, a guard on two Super Bowl-winning Pittsburgh Steelers teams in the 1970s, died of heart failure. He was 58.
Clack had fought neck and throat cancer for about four years before his death at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, wife Susan Clack said.
Clack, who helped the Steelers win Super Bowls following the 1974 and 1975 seasons, played in 146 NFL games between 1971 and 1981. He played for Pittsburgh for seven season before joining the New York Giants in 1978 and playing for four more years.
Born in Rocky Mount, Clack attended Wake Forest and entered the school's hall of fame in 1991. He was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.
He returned to North Carolina after his football career, developing commercial and residential real estate and owning a restaurant. He started a sales training business and worked as a motivational speaker.
Clack also is survived by his stepchildren, Joseph and Lindsay Curtis, both of Wilmington.
A funeral is scheduled for April 10 at Cornerstone Baptist Church with burial at Westminster Gardens in Greensboro. A memorial service in scheduled for April 11 at Lakeside Baptist Church in Rocky Mount.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Former Steelers, Giants lineman Jim Clack dies at 58
Saturday, April 08, 2006
CB Clements a no-show at Bills minicamp
Nate Clements was a no-show when the Buffalo Bills opened a voluntary minicamp because he failed to accept a one-year contract as the team's franchise player.
New coach Dick Jauron said it was important for the star cornerback to attend camp to learn the new defensive system Jauron and coordinator Perry Fewell are implementing.
"We'd like to have him in, but we also understand his position in this thing," said Jauron, who took over after Mike Mularkey's abrupt resignation in January. "It'll straighten itself out over time one way or the other. We obviously value his abilities a great deal."
The Bills designated Clements their franchise player in February. The move means the Bills are committed to paying him about $7.2 million next season. The two sides are attempting to negotiate a long-term contract.
Clements' agent, Todd France, said there were "no new developments at this time," in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
Clements doesn't have to accept the offer, and the Bills can withdraw the deal at any time.
Buffalo's first-round pick in the 2001 draft, Clements is a five-year starter who leads the team with 20 interceptions, four of which he's returned for touchdowns.
The three-day minicamp ends April 9.
Two other players -- running back Willis McGahee and linebacker Takeo Spikes -- also were absent.
Jauron said McGahee had a scheduling conflict, but it's possible he will attend the final two days of camp. Spikes continues to recuperate after having surgery to repair an Achilles' tendon he tore in Week 3 of last season.
Spikes isn't expected to fully recover until the start of training camp in July.
avre still undecided about 2006 season
Brett Favre still is unsure if he will play another year with the Green Bay Packers.
"No change. I don't know, once again," he said during a brief news conference from the site of his charity golf tournament. "I don't know why you guys wasted a trip down here. The Packers and I will make a decision at some point soon."
The 36-year-old Favre -- whose grit, durability and cannon arm have become his trademark -- is the NFL's only three-time MVP (1995-97).
"I know people are getting impatient," he said. "But enjoy baseball right now."
Favre acknowledged that football is "in my blood," but he insisted he has not made up his mind, and he is not withholding his decision.
"No, I don't think that's fair to the Packers," he said. "If I knew one way or the other, for sure, and I wouldn't tell the Packers or not tell the media, that's unfair."
"I think the Packers have to go in a certain direction at some point," he added. "When I do know, I would tell them as soon as possible -- maybe within the next week. It has been a strain on the family as well."
Favre was joined by his agent, Bus Cook, and a representative for the Mississippi Delta casino where the tournament is being held. Wearing shorts and a golf cap, Favre concluded the news conference about an hour before playing golf. The tournament is about 400 miles, at the opposite end of the state, from his hometown of Kiln.
The former Southern Mississippi quarterback ranks second behind Dan Marino on the NFL's career list in touchdown passes (396), yards passing (53,615) and completions (4,678). He holds the NFL record for most consecutive starts for a quarterback with 221 (241 including the playoffs).
Favre has led the Packers to six division crowns, restoring success to one of the NFL's most famous franchises. The Packers won Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans, a 35-21 victory against New England, returning the Lombardi Trophy to Green Bay for the first time in 29 years.
"Maybe we don't get back to the Super Bowl, I don't know that, but I'd like to think we can compete for it," Favre said. "I want to feel like we can compete for the Super Bowl, not just say that to say it."
Last season, he suffered a career-high 29 interceptions and failed to throw for more than 20 touchdowns for only the second time since 1993. The Packers finished 4-12 for their first losing season since he joined the team in 1992.
"When I left after the season, yeah, it was tough to be excited about football. But it's in my blood," Favre said. "As time has passed, I have forgotten a little about the 4-12 season and think more about the good times. If I decide to come back and play, that's really what I'm deciding to come back to -- the fun."
There are concerns about the team's offensive line, which struggled last season after the departure of stalwart guards Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera to free agency. Favre also wants to make sure the Packers are going to be competitive after a dreadful 2005 season.
Speculation about Favre's future has become an annual rite of winter in Wisconsin. He has spoken of retirement in years past, only to return.
"I'm sure I would miss it, but at some point it has to end," Favre said. "At some point, you have to give it up."
Through it all, there has been a string of family troubles. His father died in December 2003. His wife, Deanna, survived breast cancer and mourned the death of her brother in an all-terrain vehicle accident. Several members of Favre's family in Mississippi were displaced because of Hurricane Katrina.
Favre memorably threw for 399 yards and four touchdowns against the Oakland Raiders one day after his father's death.
"There are other things to do and focus on right now (besides football)," Favre said, referring to his charity. "And I say do that, because that's what I'm trying to do. I want to make the right decision, but I have other things on my plate as well."
