Nate Clements

Nate Clements is a cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was born Nathan D. Clements on December 12, 1979 in Shaker Heights, OH. He stands six feet tall, weighs 205 pounds, and wears jersey number 22. He was drafted in the first round (21st overall) by the Buffalo Bills in the 2001 NFL Draft. He attended Ohio State University where he majored in general studies. He graduated from Shaker Heights high school. He was the first player to be inducted into the Shaker Heights high school hall of fame. He is currently married to a woman named Melissa.

Clements started 24 games while attending Ohio State, finishing with 7 interceptions and 22 passes defensed. He also returned punts, racking up 695 yards on 58 punt returns, and returning one for a touchdown. He was voted to the first team all-conference in 2000, his junior year.

Since joining the 49ers Clements has made an immediate impact on defense. Though he spent the majority of the 2009 season injured, he is expected to start as the number one cornerback for the 2010 team. Since 2002, Clements ranks 7th among all NFL cornerbacks in interceptions, hauling in 27 in that time. http://www.49ers.com/team/roster/Nate-Clements/e9de3ddd-7b8d-4869-bd13-ba23a8f300aa

The 49er Years

Clements was put out of commission for the final 9 games of the 2009 season with a fractured scapula. In 2008 Clements started all but one game, picking off 2 passes and making 63 tackles. He returned a block field goal for a touchdown against the New York Giants on October 19, marking the eighth touchdown of his career.

In 2007 Clements signed a eight year, $80 million contract with the 49ers, making him the highest paid defender in league historyhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2786253. He started all 16 games, and finished tied for the team lead with 4 interceptions. He led the team with 3 forced fumbles, and was co-awarded the Bill Walsh Award which is given to the team MVP.

The Buffalo Years

In 2006 Clements started all 16 games and recorded three interceptions. He also had a then-career high of 22 passes defensed. In 2005 he started all 16 games, and recorded two interceptions.

In 2004 he started all 16 games, and recorded a career high tying six interceptions. He was elected to the Pro Bowl for the first, and only time of his career. In 2003 he started all 16 games, and led the team with three interceptions. In 2002 he again led the team with a career high 6 interceptions, and was elected the conference defensive player of the week on October 20.

In his rookie year of 2001, Clements played in all 16 games, and had earned a starting spot in the defensive backfield by week 5. He led the team in interceptions with 3, and was named as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by Sports Illustrated's Peter King.http://www.49ers.com/team/roster/Nate-Clements/e9de3ddd-7b8d-4869-bd13-ba23a8f300aa