In 1928, Earl (Dutch) Clark, also known as "the Flying Dutchman," was named to college football's All-American list while playing quarterback for Colorado College. After his graduation in 1930, he stayed with his alma mater as the head basketball coach. Then in the Fall of 1931, Dutch Clark suit up in purple for the Portsmouth Spartans. He would lead the Spartans in scoring during the year (finishing top three in the NFL) and, at the end of the season, was selected to the all-pro team.

In 1932, Clark led the league in scoring and rushing yards and was once again named to the all-pro team. He scored two touchdowns in the Iron Man Game, helping the Spartans unseat the NFL champion Green Bay Packers

Clark would miss the entire 1933 pro season, leaving the Spartans for a coaching position back in Colorado. His NFL career, however, was not over. In 1934, he re-joined his former Spartan teammates in Detroit after the team was moved and rebranded the Lions. Clark would then lead the Lions to the NFL Championship a year later in 1935.

All told, Clark led the NFL in rushing touchdowns three years, was selected to the pro bowl six times, and is an inaugural member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fames.