Dextor Clinkscale

Dextor Clinkscale (born April 13, 1958 in Greenville, South Carolina) is a former American football safety in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts. He played college football at South Carolina State.

Dextor Clinkscale
No. 47
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1958-04-13) April 13, 1958
Greenville, South Carolina
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:192 lb (87 kg)
Career information
High school:J. L. Mann (SC)
College:South Carolina State
Undrafted:1980
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:76
Interceptions:9
Sacks:7
Fumble recoveries:9
Touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early years

Clinkscale attended J. L. Mann High School, before accepting a football scholarship from South Carolina State University. He played at free safety his first 2 seasons, until moving to strong safety as a junior. He received Black College All-American honors in 1979.

In 2000, he was inducted into the South Carolina State Athletic Hall of Fame.[1]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Clinkscale was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 1980 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in all 16 games, playing on passing downs to help fill the void left by Cliff Harris' retirement and an injured Randy Hughes. He posted 30 tackles, 2 sacks, 9 passes defensed and one fumble recovery. He had one interception in the playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams.

In 1981, he entered training camp competing with Benny Barnes for the starting strong safety position that was left open with the retirement of Charlie Waters, but missed the entire season due to an Achilles tendon injury he suffered in training camp.[2]

In 1982, he played strong safety on passing downs, registering 20 tackles, 2 sacks, one interception, 2 passes defensed and one forced fumble. In the playoffs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he had one interception and 4 passes defensed.

In 1983, he was named the starter at strong safety to replace the retired Barnes, recording 89 tackles (fifth on the team), 4 fumbles recovered (led the team), 2 sacks and 2 interceptions, including one returned for a 68-yard touchdown against the New York Giants in a 28–13 win. In the season opener against the Washington Redskins, he made 12 tackles and one sack.

In 1984, he collected 93 tackles (third on the team), 3 interceptions (third on the team), 2 fumble recoveries (tied for the team lead) and one sack. Against the Chicago Bears, he produced 8 tackles, one interception and one sack.

In 1985, he registered a career-high 100 tackles (third on the team), 3 interceptions and 2 sacks. Against the Atlanta Falcons, he had 13 tackles and 2 interceptions. That year, he was a part of a secondary that earned the nickname "Thurman's Thieves", because of the amount of big plays and turnovers they generated.[3]

In 1986, he was released 5 games into the season and his position was assigned to Bill Bates, after staging a holdout from the start of training camp.[4] During his six years with the Cowboys, he appeared in 71 games (46 starts).

Indianapolis Colts

In 1986, Clinkscale was claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts, but he did not agree to a contract and had to be signed as a free agent until October 29.[5] He appeared in just 5 games, because he signed so late in the season. He was waived on July 27, 1987.[6]

References
  1. "South Carolina State Athletics University Hall of Fame". Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  2. "Transactions". Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  3. "Secondary Is The Cowboys' Primary Strength". Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  4. "Renegade Cowboy". Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  5. "Colts Sign Clinkscale". Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  6. "Happenings in the league". Retrieved January 6, 2018.
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