Seahawks rookie Frank Clark was chosen in the second round of the NFL draft despite getting kicked off the team at Michigan following a domestic violence arrest. Clark seems to think those who have criticized the Seahawks for drafting him are unfairly singling him out.
Speaking about Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider helping him over the last few months, Clark hinted that he has a problem with the negative attention he has received.
“I think they did a good job of protecting me from certain people and the people who were trying to throw extra dirt on the situation,” Clark told Josh Katzenstein of the Detroit News.
But those who speak out against domestic violence aren’t “throwing dirt,” they’re raising very legitimate concerns about a real problem in our society. And Clark, who pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in connection with the incident, does seem to realize that he’s lucky to be getting a chance in the NFL, noting that it was surprising he went in the second round of the draft.
“I was surprised because of what I’d been through and I got drafted so high,” Clark said. “I’ve always known I was a good talent. I knew I was good. I’ve got a lot of confidence in myself, but at the same time for the Seahawks … to take an opportunity and give me an opportunity to showcase my talent there, I owe them a lot.”
Carroll and Schneider must be convinced that Clark is going to showcase his ample talent in Seattle, because they’ve stuck their necks out to give another chance to a player with a very checkered past.