Don Clark was an outstanding halfback out of Ohio State who, teamed with fullback Bob White led the Buckeyes to a number of bowl appearances. Despite a number of injuries Clark was drafted in the first round of the NFL draft (seventh overall) by the Chicago Bears, but signed with Ottawa in April 1959. He represented the new look runner that Frank Clair wanted to go with new QBs Frank Tripucka (acquired from Saskatchewan at great cost) and rookie Don Allard (a first round NFL pick as well). Adjusting to the pass-centered CFL represented a major change for Clark since Ohio State had attempted only 15 passes all year in his senior year, but was on the receiving of 16 passes in his rookie year in the CFL. Clark also had 343 yards on 75 carries in his rookie season with the Rough Riders before injuries slowed his production, and he was released in October 1959 (in that era teams could keep only 12 imports on their roster for the final three games of the season) in favour of Joe Kelly. Contract talks between Clark and the Rough Riders stalled in 1960 when the issue of a guaranteed contract could not be resolved. As a result Clair traded Clark to the Blue Bombers in June of that year in exchange for guard Tom Gunderman and end Frank Gilliam. The Bombers then dealt Clark to the Alouettes in exchange for QB Syd Williams.
In his first season with Montreal, in 1960, Clark finished fourth in the East in rushing with 902 yards, and formed a strong 1-2 running punch with George Dixon. In 1961, Clark led the East in rushing with 1143 yards and was named to the East All-Star team (there were no CFL All-Stars until 1962). Injuries, limited Clark to just 4 games in 1962 which was unfortunate since it promised to be his best season. In just 4 games, Clark ran for 435 yards and 4 touchdowns. In his final season, in 1963, Clark played just 8 games and had 447 yards rushing to finish with a career total of 3270 yards rushing. He retired in June 1964 at age 27, having played in only 12 of the last 28 games of his Alouette career due to knee, rib and kidney injuries.
| Year | Team | GP | TC | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | OTT | 75 | 343 | 4.6 | 2 | 55 | 16 | 229 | 14.3 | 0 | 57 | 12 | |
| 1960 | MON | 13 | 170 | 902 | 5.3 | 5 | 55 | 22 | 312 | 14.2 | 2 | 73 | 42 |
| 1961 | MON | 14 | 200 | 1143 | 5.7 | 5 | 106 | 22 | 378 | 17.2 | 2 | 85 | 42 |
| 1962 | MON | 4 | 60 | 435 | 7.3 | 4 | 85 | 5 | 70 | 14 | 0 | 38 | 24 |
| 1963 | MON | 8 | 74 | 447 | 6 | 4 | 73 | 11 | 192 | 17.5 | 2 | 52 | 36 |
| Year | Team | KOR | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | PR | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | MFGRet | Yds | Avg | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | OTT | 13 | 289 | 22.2 | 0 | 46 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1960 | MON | 28 | 660 | 23.6 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 1961 | MON | 8 | 181 | 22.6 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1962 | MON | 3 | 44 | 14.7 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1963 | MON | 5 | 126 | 25.2 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
