Franklin Clarke - Early Years

Early Years

Clarke attended Beloit Memorial High School where he was an all-state football player. He later became the first African-American varsity football player at the University of Colorado at Boulder (also the first to letter), joining the Buffaloes in September 1954, after attending Trinidad State Junior College (Colo.) for two years, where he had a brilliant career (he had to sit out the 1954 season after transferring).

He was joined by John Wooten the following year. Because this was before the civil rights movement, the pair often had to endure open racism outside of Boulder.

Clarke amassed 532 yards receiving, ending his career fifth at the time in receiving yards at Colorado. He was so well liked among his peers on campus, that he was chosen as King of the annual CU Days festival (CU's equivalent of Homecoming King).

He was an honorable mention All-Big 7 conference performer as a junior, when he was second in the league in receiving. As a senior he was selected to play in the Copper Bowl All-Star Game.

In 2008, Clarke was inducted into the Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame.