Best Green Bay Packers player to wear No. 97 played a big part in a big trade

Welcome back to our series covering the greatest Green Bay Packers players to wear every jersey number from No. 0 to No. 99.

As we inch one step closer to the conclusion of our long journey, we continue here at No. 97 with an extremely close race between two defensive players who played different positions in different eras. So, without further ado, let's get into it, starting, of course, with looking at every player who's donned this digit for the Green & Gold over the years.

Kenderick Allen, DT
Kenny Clark, DT
Paul Frase, DE
Tim Harris, LB
Cletidus Hunt, DT
Johnny Jolly, DT/DE
Matt LaBounty, DE
Mike Merriweather, LB
John Miller, LB
Danny Noonan, DT
Jordon Riley, DL
Luther Robinson, DE
Vic So'oto, LB
Keith Traylor, LB

Throughout this series, we've had to make some calls that we just assume not everyone would agree with, and we're pretty sure that could be the case here as well.

As such, we'll simply rip the band-aid off to reveal that the runner-up slot here at No. 97 goes to Packers Hall of Fame linebacker Tim Harris.

A fourth-round pick out of Memphis in 1986, Harris spent the first five seasons of his 10-year career in Titletown, starting 70 of the 76 games in which he appeared. And he certainly did quite a bit in those 76 games, racking up 55.0 sacks, including a career-high 19.5 in 1989 en route to earning the lone Pro Bowl selection of his career and a First-Team All-Pro selection.

After much consideration, however, we're opting to roll with Kenny Clark. Had Harris remained in Green Bay for even a couple of more seasons, we may have gone in that direction. So, instead, we're going to reward Clark's longevity. That's not the only reason he gets the nod here, of course, as he was a great player for the Packers. But it certainly didn't hurt his case.

Kenny Clark spent nine solid seasons with the Packers before being traded to the Cowboys in the Micah Parsons deal

A First-Team All-Pac-12 selection and a Third-Team All-American at UCLA in 2015, Clark was taken by Green Bay in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft with the 27th overall selection.

The California native started just a pair of games as a rookie, making 21 total tackles, but from 2017 on, he started every single game in which he appeared. And he proved to be one of the more reliable players on the Packers roster, as he missed just eight games during his nine-year run with the franchise.

Clark was more than just reliable, of course, as he developed into one of the top defensive tackles in the NFL. While most would agree that he was at his best in stopping the run, the 6-foot-3, 315-pounder had his fair share of sacks, tallying 35.0 while wearing a Packers uniform. Yes, Harris had far more in fewer seasons, but, to be fair, linebackers almost always have gaudier numbers than defensive tackles.

To that end, the 35.0 sacks from Clark are the second-most of any defensive tackle in franchise history, as only Hall of Famer Henry Jordan has more with 59.5. So, it's certainly a solid number for the position.

As far as his overall numbers are concerned, Clark, who was elected to the Pro Bowl in 2019, 2021, and 2023, amassed 417 total tackles, 51 tackles for loss, 76 QB hits, those 35.0 sacks, seven forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, and 12 passes defended.

Just ahead of his 10th season, of course, Clark was traded to the Dallas Cowboys as part of the deal that brought Micah Parsons to Green Bay. And while he may not have wanted to leave, it had to feel flattering that Jerry Jones, who also got a pair of first-round draft picks, refused to make the move unless Clark was included.

Other Green Bay Packers jersey honorees

This list will be updated daily until all 100 entries are complete, so be sure to check back in with Lombardi Ave for updates.

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Kenny Clark spent nine solid seasons with the Packers before being traded to the Cowboys in the Micah Parsons deal

Other Green Bay Packers jersey honorees

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