On Thursday, the CFL announced the nominees from each club for the Jake Gaudaur Veteran’s Award. The honour recognizes a player who demonstrates the attributes of Canadian veterans: strength, perseverance, courage, comradeship and contribution to Canadian communities.
Offensive lineman Dan Clark was named as the 2022 Saskatchewan Roughriders nominee. The Regina native has faced plenty of adversity throughout his career, including this season. The Riders centre suffered a broken fibula in Week 2 against Edmonton. He was able to return to the Riders lineup in Week 17. The broken fibula was the second major injury Clark has suffered over the last three years.
He was injured in a one vehicle accident while travelling back from a speaking engagement in 2019.
The centre says he had a lot great leaders that provided a great example for him when he was a younger player with the Riders.
“You look at the veteran leadership we have, Weston (Dressler), Jeremy’s (O’Day) participation in the community, at the time Neil Hughes, everybody (Chris) Getzlaf, Scott McHenry, Luc Mullinder.”
Clark has provided a helping hand to the community both in Regina and across the province since he became a Roughrider in 2009. Among the community groups that he works with includes the Red Cross, Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. Through the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation he supports Game Changers Playbook, Win With Wellness program and Rider Reading Month. This season, Clark has visited 20 schools to support youth literacy.
Now that the 34 year old is one of the main veterans of the green and white, he makes sure that the younger players understand the importance of giving back to the community.
“I tell no matter what, if there a first round draft pick or an unsigned free agent, if you have that opportunity if someone asks you to do anything for the club, you got out there and put your best foot forward.”
When he is doing public speaking, Clark tries to provide an inspirational message to all listeners.
“Control what you can control.” He added “If you can’t control it you don’t have the opportunity to affect you in anyway. Just keep going, I’ve survived 100 percent of my worst days and I’m doing great and if I can do it, I know a lot of time we represent all star athletes, and just athletes in general, but we’re just normal people, I’m just a kid from Saskatchewan, that’s had an opportunity that a lot of people if they put that hard work and dedication, they can make it too.”
Clark confirmed on Thursday that he is a free agent this upcoming season and added that he has spent no time so far looking ahead to 2023, saying that his main focus is to finish off the season in Calgary.
This year’s recipient of the Jake Gaudaur Veteran’s Award will be announced during the CFL Awards on Thursday, November 17.
Clark and the rest of the Roughriders will conclude their season on Saturday, when they visit the Calgary Stampeders. The game can be heard on 620 CKRM, with an opening kickoff at 6:00.
