Former Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Frank Clarke passed away early Thursday morning in McKinney, TX after suffering from a longterm illness, according to his son Gregory. He was 84.
Clarke, a member of CU’s Hall of Fame since 2008, is remembered as an original in a difficult era in modern history. He was the first African-American player in Colorado history — a decade before the civil rights act would become law. Clarke led Colorado in receiving both seasons he was in Boulder from 1955-56. He exited for the NFL as CU’s fifth all-time leading receiver.
Clarke was drafted by Cleveland Browns in the 1957 NFL Draft.