Detroit Lions: Ranking the top 10 quarterbacks in franchise history

3.) Earl ‘Dutch’ Clark

Earl ‘Dutch’ Clark was the Lions quarterback in 1932, then after a one-year hiatus from the game, he returned to play from 1934-1937. At a time that the quarterback position was really used as a ball-carrier while sharing the rare passing duties with his backfield mates, Clark was a true field general.

Not only did he play quarterback, but he also was the Lions head coach, which was not an uncommon practice of the time.

While passing wasn’t a big part of the game in his era, Clark had a career completion percentage of 45.6% as compared to the league average of 36.5% at that time and Clark even completed 53.5% in 1936.

He wasn’t the fastest or strongest of players and he even had poor eyesight, but he was considered one of the NFL’s premier players. In 1935 Dutch led the Lions to their first championship as Detroit defeated the New York Giants 26-7.

Probably the best way to sum up Clark’s Hall of Fame career would be this quote from a rival coach of Clark’s era (per the Pro Football Hall of Fame):

"“If Dutch stepped on the field with Red Grange, Jim Thorpe and George Gipp, Dutch would be the general.”."

Enough said.