Former Denver Broncos Running Back Tragically Passes Away

He remains the all-time leading rusher at his alma mater.

Former NFL running back Derrick Clark has passed away.

Evangel University announced Clark’s death on February 19. However, the news didn’t really begin spreading until this month. The school did not reveal a cause of death, and it’s still unclear how he passed.

Clark was 54.

The former running back is still Evangel’s all-time leading rusher and helped the NAIA program reach the playoffs in 1993 following a transfer from Florida State.

Clark joined the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 1994, playing alongside legend John Elway. The Broncos had a dismal campaign that year, going 7-9.

The former Evangel star didn’t see much of the field but would score three touchdowns in his final two appearances of the season.

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“Evangel Athletics mourns the loss of Hall of Fame football player, Derrick Clark,” the school said in a statement. “Derrick was a member of the 1992 and 1993 Evangel Football teams, where he became the all-time leading rusher in school history in just two seasons.”

“Clark was signed as a free agent by the Denver Broncos in 1994. … The [two-time] NAIA All-American, Clark was named to the Evangel Hall of Fame in the fall of 2021. Our prayers are with the Clark family, during this time of loss and mourning.”

Derrick Clark Touted As “One Of The Greatest Ever” By Former Coach

Running back Derrick Clark #43 of the Denver Broncos on the sidelines (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)

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Derrick Clark spent time on other practice squads over the next few years, mostly playing competitively in NFL Europe.

Clark scored 21 times for the Rhein Fire over five seasons.

He was inducted into the Evangel University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021.

“Mourning the loss of one [of] the greatest players I ever coached,” former Evangel football coach Keith Barefield shared via X. “Two-time All American, Hall of Famer Evangel Football Derrick Clark. Grateful for his friendship & proud of the Godly man he grew to be. A true “Crusader.” You will be missed!”

The Florida native also co-owned a semi-professional team, the Daytona Beach Broncos, while serving as a mentor and trainer at the program Xtreme Leverage.