The NFL Connection
A captain on both the Wildcat football and basketball teams, Clemons had both the size and speed college recruiters dreamed of. Known as "Foots" because of his size 14 shoe, Clemons visited the University of Georgia and fell in love with the football program, choosing the Bulldogs over Auburn. Clemons chose Georgia in part because of their commitment to let him play in the backfield. Most college scouts drooled at his size and speed (6-1, 200), but felt he would be better suited in the line.
During his three years at Georgia (1952, 1953, 1954), Clemons gained 1,297 yards for a 4.7 average and led the team in rushing both in 1952 and 1953.
He was Academic All-SEC in 1954 and graduated with a degree in General Agriculture. Rated one of the best offensive fullbacks in the history of the University of Georgia football program, Clemons was taken in the eighth round of the 1955 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.
A Green Bay Packers press release dated February 16th, 1955 had this to say about Clemons, "an excellent pass receiver, Clemons should fit well into the Packer style of attack. Head Coach Lislie Blackburn indicated that he would use him at both fullback and offensive halfback."
After one year with the Packers, Clemons returned home to go into business for himself. Of his football career Clemons says, "the experience is one which I will always appreciate. I learned how to take the hard knocks of the football experience, how to stick it out when things were tough, how to make the best of a tough situation and how to cope with challenge and adversity."