After the rigors of a long NFL season in 2022, Kenny Clark needed to unwind.
The Green Bay Packers’ defensive lineman got a chance to relax, spend valuable time with his young daughter, engrain himself further as a Wisconsin role model to young students and become an international traveler.
The offseason was good for Clark, who enters his eighth season in the league.
“I went to go experience some things and really enjoyed my offseason,” Clark told Wisconsin Sports Heroics. “I usually just go straight back home (to California) and then take a month off and then get back to working out. But as soon as I got back home, I just went traveling.”
Clark took a vacation to Argentina and Brazil. It’s the only time he’s been out of the United States besides the Packers’ work trip to London last October.
Spending time with his 2-year-old daughter was also a highlight of his time away from football.
“It’s a blessing,” Clark said. “I love my daughter. She’s so beautiful.”
Having daddy-daughter time was special. It included some activities Clark isn’t able to do too much during the heart of the football season.
“A lot more diapers,” Clark joked. “But I’ve been taking her to school and getting a chance to do all that stuff. That’s been cool.”
In early April, Clark joined his marketing representative Mark Mayfield, who owns Mayfield Sports Marketing, for a school tour devoted to healthy living.
Clark made surprise visits to four middle schools and high schools in the Wisconsin towns of Abbotsford, Medford, Flambeau and Ladysmith.
Clark discussed his nutrition and off-field exercises he follows to keep him in shape.
After taking time away from football-related activities, Clark got into his offseason workout phase right after the Super Bowl. The veteran said he didn’t change how he approached his training.
“Really with me it’s just getting consistent and just working on my craft every day and trying to perfect it,” Clark said. “I really didn’t change anything about my workout regime or anything like that.”
During Clark’s rookie season in 2016, he embraced the philosophy of then-teammate Mike Daniels, who was really into Pilates. Daniels, who was a fellow defensive tackle, and Clark were on the Packers together for three seasons.
Clark still practices Pilates to this day.
“I love Pilates,” said Clark, who is also big into yoga. “Pilates changed my body, and it’s been awesome.”
Clark heads into his eighth season as the third longest active tenured Packers player behind Mason Crosby and David Bakhtiari.
Clark feels good about where he’s at entering the season.
“I feel like I’m in great shape,” Clark said. “I just come to work every day and try to work as hard as I can and get my body ready.”
During the offseason, Clark kept his nutritional habits the same as he has for years. Clark has had the same personal chef for his entire career.
“He comes down and cooks for me three times a week and I’ve definitely been benefiting off of that,” Clark said. “My chef’s been great for my whole career. He’s been keeping me healthy and he also does some stuff when I’m out here in Green Bay, shipping me foods or giving me advice on how to stay with my diet and how to stay healthy throughout the season.”
Being an NFL veteran, Clark fully knows the importance of eating well and keeping his body in optimal shape.
“The older you get you’ve definitely got to start taking care of your body,” Clark said. “Anything can happen on that field, and you’ve got to put yourself in the best situation and the best shape possible in order for you to be able to take those blows game in and game out and be able to compete.”
Now that Clark is back in Green Bay for the team’s summer workout program, he’s excited for what lies ahead for the upcoming season.
“My goal is just to be the best me I can be,” said Clark, who is a two-time Pro Bowler. “Just dominate the line of scrimmage, being a key for the defense and helping my team by being a leader.”
Draft Thoughts
Clark still recalls sitting down on the Thursday night of the 2016 NFL Draft wondering which team would select him.
The UCLA product heard his name called at No. 27 overall in the opening round as the Packers got their defensive lineman of the future.
“Every time you watch the draft, you always get that feeling again and you start reminiscing about that moment,” said Clark, who was just 20 years old on draft night. “That was one of the greatest days of my life.”
When the draft opens this Thursday night, Clark will be glued to coverage.
“I love the draft,” Clark said. “I love watching it. I’m a huge fan of the draft and a huge fan of college football and all the players there.”
With the 13th overall pick, Green Bay can go in many different directions. Will the Packers opt for an offensive playmaker? How about nabbing a defensive star?
“I just hope we get somebody that can help us win, that’s it,” Clark said.
Quarterback Change
As news started to break on Monday — three days before Day 1 of the draft — that Aaron Rodgers would be traded to the New York Jets, Clark was hearing updates about his longtime teammate.
Clark knows trades in the NFL are just part of the business.
“Man, it’s crazy,” Clark said. “Great player and he’s a legend, a Hall of Famer, and I wish him all the success with the Jets. I hope he balls out up there.”
What was it like to be Rodgers’ teammate for seven years?
“It’s been great,” Clark said. “We had a lot of great moments. We won a lot of games, and all that history and all that stuff that comes with great moments. It was a blessing to be able to share those moments with him.”
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By Greg Bates
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