1977 Profile: Clark Gaines

Running Back
No. 21
Wake Forest
"He led the team in rushing with a 4.6 average and in receptions with 41, so it was no surprise when he was named the team's offensive MVP. Signed as a free agent, he led all the NFL rookie runners with 724 yards. Clark is the first Jet to gain 100 or more yards four times in a season."

-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1977

"Word around Gotham City is that Clark Gaines is really Clark Kent in disguise. He wasn't drafted by anybody but was the top rusher among NFL rookies. The scouts' mistake was going to Wake Forest to weigh and measure him instead of checking his football ability. Too small and slow to be an NFLer, but nobody told him. He agreed to sign with the Jets over the phone while a Dallas scout was sitting in the room with him.
Born in Elberton, Georgia, Gaines was the second leading rusher in the country as a sophomore in junior college and got over 900 yards at Wake his senior season. He was voted the Jets' MVP. A starter the second half of the season, Gaines led the team in rushing (724 yards) and receiving (41 catches).
He's a superb blocker, and worked with a track coach in the off-season to improve his speed."

-Rich Kucner, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition

"A most unexpected story was 1976 for Clark Gaines. He barely made the club as a free agent and then became a starter in the seventh game after Ed Marinaro suffered an injury. From then on Gaines recorded four 100-yard games (a Jet single-season record) and outrushed all NFL rookie runners with 724 yards on 157 carries, a 4.6 average and three touchdowns. He also led the club in receiving with 41 for 400 yards, a 9.8 average and two touchdowns.
Gaines was selected by teammates as club MVP, made all the NFL all-rookie teams and was selected by the NFL Players Association as AFC Rookie Offensive Player of the Year. By leading the team in rushing and receiving, he became only the second player in club annals to do so- the other was John Riggins. His five touchdowns placed him second on the club in scoring to Pat Leahy.
Until he became a starter, Clark led the special teams in 'RBI's.' 'He's a hard runner who breaks tackles, a good blocker, a fine receiver and a good special teams member,' says head coach Walt Michaels. 'We're just hoping he'll take up where he left off. He's got the right attitude to do that, too.'
Gaines tied with Marinaro for the single-season rushing high last year with 119 yards at Buffalo. He also had 102 against Baltimore, 103 against Tampa Bay and 109 against Washington. His seven catches for 82 yards were club highs in both categories.
He might have been overlooked in the draft because of injuries. Clark gained 1,258 yards on 336 carries for a 3.7 average. All-Atlantic Coast Conference as a senior, he was named captain that year. He was an outstanding junior college runner at Lees-McRae (Banner Elk, NC). He rushed for 1,105 yards as a soph, second in the nation, and was named NJCAA All-America.
Clark majored in physical education and is nicknamed 'Super,' 'Nasty' and 'Killer' for his efforts. He worked in construction and as a watchman for 16 hours a day to help earn his degree. When Clark was in high school, his father died of lung disease from working in a quarry. Clark's birthplace and hometown is Elberton, Georgia."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide