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T CHAD CLIFTON #76 6' 5" • 320 lbs. • Tennessee Exp: 9th NFL Season, 9th Packers Season Age: 32 Acquired: Draft 2000 (2) Current Status: Active Roster   Went to his first Pro Bowl following 2007 season, filling in for an injured Walter Jones of Seattle. Held New York Giants' Osi Umenyiora, San Diego's Shawne Merriman and Kansas City's Jared Allen to a total of ½ sack in head-to-head meetings Has started 79 of 80 games (84 of 85 including playoffs) at left tackle since returning to the field in '03 from the serious pelvic injury that ended his 2002 season Had 53-game starting streak snapped in 2006 by a bout with the flu the night before and morning of game at Miami (Oct. 22). Still played 93.1 percent of the offensive snaps that season, after playing 94.2 percent in 2005 and every snap in both '03 and '04, the only Packers player (on offense or defense) to do so on his respective side of the ball those two years Since becoming a starter midway through his rookie year of 2000, Green Bay has allowed the second-fewest sacks in the NFL (169), behind only the 159 of the Indianapolis Colts As the left tackle, was a major factor in the Packers limiting opponents to an all-time franchise-low 14 sacks in 2004. Green Bay also did not allow a sack in eight games - another club single-season record Played a pivotal role - by shutting out Pro Bowl DE Simeon Rice - when Green Bay snapped the Buccaneers' 69-game streak with at least one sack in a 20-13 triumph at Tampa Bay, Nov. 16, 2003. Ironically, that game marked his return to Raymond James Stadium, where he had incurred his season-ending pelvic injury roughly a year earlier Played in two national championship games, including Fiesta Bowl victory over Florida State to culminate undefeated 1998 season, while a four-year starter at the University of Tennessee Pro Summary As steady as they come protecting the quarterback's blind side, Clifton continues to rank among the best left tackles in the NFL and was rewarded with his first Pro Bowl trip following last season Marked the third time he was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate (2004 and 2005 were the others), went to the game this time as an injury replacement for Seattle's Walter Jones (shoulder) Entering his ninth season, has played in 116 career games, with 111 starts (plus seven postseason contests) Is known for his textbook technique and an extensive regimen that gets his bumped and bruised body ready for gameday Requiring little to no assistance from tight ends or running backs as extra blockers, has made a career of keeping the opponent's premier pass rusher quiet, holding the New York Giants' Osi Umenyiora, San Diego's Shawne Merriman and Kansas City's Jared Allen (the league leader in sacks) to a total of ½ sack this past season and helping the Packers tie for the third-fewest sacks allowed in the league with 19 Since he and fellow tackle Mark Tauscher became Green Bay's starters in 2000, has helped the Packers allow the second-fewest sacks in the league over that span (169), behind only the 159 of the Indianapolis Colts Adapted well to the Packers' new zone-blocking run scheme in 2006, showing nimble athletic ability for a frame his size Along with Tauscher, stepped into more of a leadership position along the offensive line in 2005 with the offseason departures of guards Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle That leadership role was augmented in 2006 and 2007 as the Packers played at least two and at times three linemen with three years or less experience in every game, a responsibility he has handled with his dedicated preparation and consistent play Following the devastating pelvic injury that prematurely ended his 2002 season, he has successfully returned to the field to start 79 of 80 games (84 of 85 including playoffs) over the past five years Had a starting streak of 53 consecutive games (56 including playoffs) snapped in 2006 when he became violently ill with the flu the night before the contest at Miami (Oct. 22) Rarely leaves the field at all, he was in for 93.3 percent of Green Bay's offensive snaps last season, 93.1 percent in 2006 and 94.2 percent in 2005 after being the only Packers player (on either offense or defense) to have played every snap from scrimmage on his respective side of the ball in both the 2003 and 2004 seasons Was rewarded with a six-year contract extension, through the 2009 season, on March 2, 2004, he certainly showed no signs of complacency the following year, helping the Packers to an all-time franchise-low 14 sacks during the '04 season A year earlier, in his 2003 return to the field following an arduous offseason of rehabilitation, started all 16 games for the first time as a professional and, as the left tackle, was a key cog in Green Bay allowing but 19 sacks - tied for the second fewest in the NFL and at the time the franchise low for a 16-game season Included in that success was the Packers' Nov. 16, 2003, win at Tampa Bay - a game with tremendous personal ramifications for him - when Green Bay snapped the Buccaneers' NFL-record streak of 69 consecutive games with at least one sack Just less than a year earlier (Nov. 24, 2002), on the same Raymond James Stadium field, his season had come to an untimely end when he suffered a badly sprained pelvis as the result of an unnecessary block on an interception return that he did not see coming (a play that the NFL made illegal in 2005) Subsequently designated as Green Bay's 'franchise' player Feb. 24, 2004, he reached agreement with the Packers on his contract extension on the eve of free agency Earlier, in 2001, was a large factor in Green Bay allowing the third-fewest sacks in the league (22), a figure that then also qualified as the least by a Packers team in 27 years Was playing at a similarly high level in 2002 before the abrupt end to his season in Tampa Had been thrust into the starting lineup seven games into his 2000 rookie campaign, immediately shoring up what had been a trouble spot for Green Bay early in the year As a rookie starter, was not intimidated by the hostile crowds or noisy dome stadiums - situations he had encountered in the years prior as a standout at the University of Tennessee - while holding his own against some of the game's better pass rushers A second-round draft choice of the Packers in 2000, joined fellow rookie Tauscher in the lineup that year to give Green Bay its first pair of starting rookie offensive tackles in 48 years 2007 Season Started all 16 games and both playoff contests and was named to his first Pro Bowl, filling in for Seattle's Jones (shoulder injury) Played 93.3 percent of the offensive snaps, the fifth straight year he's played at least 93 percent Was ranked as the Packers' top offensive player by Pro Football Weekly and The Sporting News in their respective preseason previews, and went on to lead an offensive line that allowed just 19 sacks on the season At New York Giants (Sept. 16), held Umenyiora without a sack; suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter and missed a series while his ankle was re-taped Vs. San Diego (Sept. 23), held Pro Bowler Merriman without a sack Was part of an offense at Denver (Oct. 29) that posted 430 yards in the team's 19-13 overtime win. Ryan Grant rushed for 104 yards, giving Green Bay its first 100-yard rusher of the season At Kansas City (Nov. 4), held '07 sack leader Allen to ½ sack Vs. Minnesota (Nov. 11), helped Green Bay amass a season-high 488 yards, and held the Vikings without a sack; Grant collected 119 yards rushing Vs. Carolina (Nov. 22), blocked DE Mike Rucker to allow Grant to get through for a game-long 23-yard rush At Detroit (Nov. 22), helped pave the way for 481 yards of total offense and 101 yards rushing for Grant; offense did not allow a sack Vs. Oakland (Dec. 9), suffered a shin injury, but returned to the game. In the fourth quarter, suffered a shoulder injury and did not return. Part of an offense that totaled 455 yards and 179 rushing yards (156 from Grant) and held the Raiders' defense to zero sacks. On Grant's game-long, 26-yard run at the end of the game, manhandled DE Jay Richardson Vs. Detroit (Dec. 30), exited the game in the second half and was replaced by Daryn Colledge (coach's decision). Helped the team rush for 217 yards, 113 coming from Brandon Jackson, his first career 100-yard rushing performance Started both playoff games In the Divisional playoff game vs. Seattle (Jan. 12), was part of an offensive line that assisted Grant to 201 yards and three touchdowns, both Packers playoff records. On Grant's 24-yard run in the third quarter, took out two linebackers In the NFC Championship Game vs. the New York Giants (Jan. 20), held Umenyiora without a sack 2006 Season Started 15 games at left tackle and was listed as inactive in Week 7 at Miami with flu-like symptoms In addition to the Dolphins contest, missed five other plays late in the season (shoulder stinger) but other than that time on the sideline, played in the Packers' other 1,044 offensive snaps (93.1 percent) Continued to work back to his Pro Bowl-caliber form after surgeries on his ankle in January and on his knee in May Along with Tauscher, was one of two returning full-time starters on Green Bay's offensive line Played every snap on an offensive line that didn't allow a sack from the fourth quarter vs. New Orleans (Sept. 17) to the second quarter vs. St. Louis (Oct. 8); the streak covered 108 passing plays and included a shutout at Philadelphia (Oct. 2) against the Eagles' attacking defense At Miami (Oct. 22), was listed as inactive just before the 90-minute deadline, ending his streak of 53 straight starts, which had been tied with Tauscher and Al Harris for the second-longest active streak on the team behind Brett Favre; had battled flu-like symptoms the night before and the morning of the game, the first contest he missed since Warren Sapp ended his 2002 season Against Arizona (Oct. 29), helped the offense amass 203 yards on the ground (383 total) including 100-yard performances from both Ahman Green (106) and Vernand Morency (101) In 17-9 triumph vs. Detroit (Dec. 17), left the game near halftime with a shoulder stinger, but returned to play the entire second half Played his 100th career game, at Chicago (Dec. 31) 2005 Season Though nagged by an ankle injury for the final three-quarters of the season, started all 16 games at left tackle for the third straight year, playing 94.2 percent of the Packers' offensive snaps - second among offensive linemen and third among all players on offense Was voted as an NFC Pro Bowl alternate a second straight year Sustained left ankle injury early in Monday night contest at Carolina (Oct. 3), forcing him to sit out quarters 2-4 Though he missed most of the ensuing practice week, still started six days later in 52-3 victory over New Orleans (Oct. 9); shut out Saints DE Will Smith, who would go on to tie for eighth in the NFC in sacks Helped to extend the offensive line's streak to 111 consecutive passing plays without a sack in border battle at Minnesota (Oct. 23) Also blanked Pittsburgh sack specialist Joey Porter (10.5 sacks in '05) in hard-fought loss to eventual Super Bowl champs Was a key run blocker as the season progressed, throwing several key blocks in 100-yard rushing performances by rookie RB Samkon Gado at Atlanta (Nov. 13), at Philadelphia (Nov. 27) and vs. Detroit (Dec. 11), when Gado rushed for a team rookie record 171 yards Underwent offseason surgery (Jan. 16, 2006) to alleviate ankle problem 2004 Season On the heels of signing a lucrative contract extension during the offseason, enjoyed perhaps his finest year as a professional, matter-of-factly shutting down several of the league's top pass rushers as Green Bay allowed an all-time franchise-low 14 sacks Was a Pro Bowl alternate Started all 16 games for the second consecutive season, he also opened in NFC Wild Card playoff contest with Minnesota (Jan. 9) Played 100 percent of the team's offensive snaps during the regular season a second consecutive year, a feat matched only by linemate Wahle in '04 Was a catalyst in the Packers not allowing half of their regular-season opponents (an all-time high eight of 16) to record a sack Turned in his top personal performance of the season in Indianapolis' noisy, hostile RCA Dome (Sept. 26), neutralizing the Colts' cat-quick Dwight Freeney, who would go on to lead the NFL with 16 sacks; Indy's Pro Bowl DE could post only one solo tackle in spite of the fact that he was playing on the fast track of his home stadium and the Packers were in catch-up mode for much of the contest Held the Lions' James Hall, who recorded 11½ sacks to tie for fifth in the NFC, without a sack and only three total tackles in a pair of games with Detroit Similarly kept Panthers Pro Bowl DE Julius Peppers from recording a sack in season-opening victory at Carolina (Sept. 13) Also held without a sack were the Cowboys' Greg Ellis (Oct. 24) and the Rams' Bryce Fisher (Nov. 29), who respectively posted nine and eight-and-a-half sacks as the 2004 sack leaders of their teams Made his 50th NFL start (along with Tauscher) in initial meeting with Chicago (Sept. 19) Exited postseason game against Minnesota (Jan. 9) in the third quarter after spraining his left ankle; subsequently underwent arthroscopic surgery on that ankle Feb. 14, 2005 Following the season, was named to the 'All-Joe' team of USA Today as a player who is "overlooked and underappreciated" as well as to Fox Sports analyst Daryl Johnston's 'All-Lunch Pail Crew' for his blue-collar approach to football 2003 Season Returned successfully from the pelvic injury that had ended his 2002 season to start all 16 games for the first time as a professional Was the only Green Bay lineman to play every offensive snap during the regular season Also started both playoff contests Was personally responsible for only two pressures and one-half sack, according to Green Bay coaches Manned critical left tackle spot on an offensive line that permitted but 19 sacks - at the time a franchise low for a 16-game season and tied (with Indianapolis) for the second fewest in the NFL Included in that low sack number was a (then) team-record six games without a sack allowed (since statistic became official in 1963), including three straight contests (Sept. 14-21-29) with zero sacks for the first time in franchise history Played a pivotal role when Green Bay snapped the Buccaneers' NFL-record streak of 69 consecutive games with at least one sack in 20-13 triumph at Tampa Bay (Nov. 16), shutting out Simeon Rice, the Bucs' Pro Bowl DE who ultimately would finish second in the NFC with 15 sacks Also helped the Packers to single-season franchise records for yards rushing (2,558) and yards per carry (5.05), including 1,883 yards by Green to break Jim Taylor's 41-year-old team rushing mark; Green Bay's 2,558 rushing yards ranked third in the NFL, behind only Baltimore (2,669) and Denver (2,629) Played a part in November stretch in which the Packers rushed for 190-or-more yards in four straight games Blanked Rams' Pro Bowl DE Leonard Little (third in the NFC with 12½ sacks) in game at St. Louis (Oct. 19) As a general rule, practiced only once a day early in training camp as he returned gradually from the pelvic injury that had cut short his 2002 season, and he did not see game action until the third preseason contest (Aug. 15 at Cleveland) His comeback efforts had been hindered by a pair of unrelated offseason operations Underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Jan. 31, 2003, to address cartilage damage tied into an MCL sprain from the '02 season, then later had his right elbow scoped April 14, 2003, to remove multiple loose bodies 2002 Season Turned in several notable performances before his personal season was ended by a pelvic injury after 11 games Neutralized the Dolphins' Jason Taylor - who had been named AFC 'Defensive Player of the Week' days earlier and would go on to finish as the NFL sack leader with 18½ - while playing the last two-and-a-half quarters of Monday night win over Miami (Nov. 4) Earlier had shut out the Panthers' Mike Rucker - the league's leading sacker entering the contest and the eventual NFC 'Defensive Player of the Month' - in victory over Carolina (Sept. 29) Also was playing well at New England (Oct. 13) before he sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee, which made him inactive vs. Washington (Oct. 20) and limited him to reserve duty vs. Miami (Nov. 4) Played in 10 of Green Bay's first 11 games, making nine starts at left tackle, and was inactive twice Had his year come to an abrupt end when he was blindsided by an unnecessary block during a third-quarter interception return at Tampa Bay (Nov. 24) Sprained the bones of his pelvis so severely that he was hospitalized for nearly a week (in both Tampa and Green Bay) and was unable to walk on his own for roughly another six weeks before beginning a full offseason of rehabilitation Was placed on injured reserve Dec. 4 after being inactive for Bears contest three days earlier Had missed one series of initial meeting with Chicago (Oct. 7), in Champaign, Ill., due to a neck "stinger" that occurred on the Packers' first PAT try 2001 Season Played in 14 games, starting 13, in his first full season as the starter at left tackle Also opened both playoff contests Was inactive for one regular-season game and dressed for the other, though he did not play Played a central role as Green Bay allowed the third fewest sacks in the NFL (22) and the least by a Packers team in 27 years (17 in 1974) at that time Held future Hall of Famer Bruce Smith without a sack in Monday night victory over Washington (Sept. 24) Later, despite playing with a left hamstring strain suffered a week earlier at Tampa Bay, shut out the Ravens' Michael McCrary, one of the AFC's top pass rushers, in triumph over defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore (Oct. 14) Sprained his left ankle early in rematch with the Buccaneers (Nov. 4), causing him to be inactive for the ensuing contest, at Chicago (Nov. 11) Was available for backup duty vs. Atlanta (Nov. 18), but did not see any action Returned to the field, in a reserve capacity, for Thanksgiving Day battle at Detroit (Nov. 22), rotating in for Barry Stokes in the first half before taking the majority of snaps after halftime Was inserted back into the starting lineup for Monday night contest at Jacksonville (Dec. 3) Picked up a big block of Vikings LB Jim Nelson on Donald Driver's 31-yard TD run on a reverse, giving the Packers a 7-3 advantage late in first half of eventual 24-13 victory over Minnesota (Dec. 30) 2000 Season Moved into the starting lineup at left tackle in the seventh game of his rookie season, taking over for Wahle Played so well down the stretch against some of the NFL's best pass rushers that he drew serious consideration for all-rookie honors Helped Green Bay average 117.3 yards rushing per game over the final 10 contests - a 39-yard improvement over the 78.3 yards per game the Packers put forth in the first six weeks when he wasn't starting Saw action in 13 games, starting the last 10, was inactive for two contests and did not play in another Played the majority of the second half at left tackle at Detroit (Oct. 8) after Wahle went out due to a calf strain, holding up well against Tracy Scroggins, who had generated 1½ sacks and significant pressure before Clifton got onto the field Made his first NFL start the next week vs. San Francisco (Oct. 15) Held his own against the Dolphins' Taylor, whose 14½ sacks ended up second in the AFC, at Miami (Oct. 29) in his initial significant challenge since becoming a starter Twice held the Buccaneers' Marcus Jones (fourth in the NFC with 13 sacks) without a sack, preventing him from making even a single tackle at Tampa Bay (Nov. 12) Shut down the Vikings' John Randle in upset victory over Minnesota (Dec. 17) inside the noisy Metrodome Had seen his rookie season get off to a slow start when he suffered a mild sprain of his right MCL during one-on-one pass-blocking drills in practice Aug. 16, causing him to miss the Packers' final two preseason games and to be inactive for the first two regular-season contests Dressed, but did not play, vs. Philadelphia (Sept. 17), before making his NFL debut at Arizona (Sept. 24), seeing late-game action at left tackle in a 29-3 win Along with Tauscher, gave Green Bay its first pair of starting rookie tackles in 48 years (Tom Johnson-Bob Dees, Nov. 16, 1952, at N.Y. Giants) when he entered the lineup beginning with the 49ers game (Oct. 15) Drafted in the second round (44th overall) by Green Bay in 2000 College Was a four-year starter (1996-99) for the University of Tennessee after being redshirted in 1995 Began his collegiate career at right tackle before spending his final three seasons at left tackle A two-time All-Southeastern Conference selection, he also earned second-team All-America honors from The Sporting News as a senior Played in two national championship games - including Fiesta Bowl victory over Florida State to culminate unbeaten 1998 season - four bowl games and two SEC championship games Started 45 of 48 career games played as a collegian, including 26 straight starts Enjoyed a 43-7 on-field record (.860) during the four seasons in which he played for the Volunteers Served as one of six team captains as a senior while opening at left tackle in 11 of 12 contests Started all 13 games at left tackle as Vols went 13-0 and captured the '98 national title his junior year Had played in all 13 games as a sophomore, starting 12 at left tackle, as Volunteers won SEC title before losing to Nebraska in national championship (Orange Bowl) Was part of 1997 UT offensive line that allowed only one sack per 35 snaps - a school record Took over at right tackle his redshirt freshman season after incumbent Jarvis Reado broke his leg in the third game of the year Played in 11 of the Vols' 12 games, starting nine, including Florida Citrus Bowl victory over Northwestern Majored in psychology Personal Given name Jeffrey Chad Clifton Nicknamed 'Big Cliff' Born in Martin, Tenn., the same hometown as 2007 first-round draft pick Justin Harrell Married to Candy, who passed the Wisconsin bar exam in 2003, the couple has two sons, 3-year-old Corbin and infant Cruz Earned All-America honors from Parade and Scholastic Coach as a senior at Westview High School in Martin, Tenn. Also received Gatorade Circle of Champions 'Player of the Year' award and Class 2A 'Mr. Football Award' (as top lineman) for state of Tennessee Was an all-state and all-region selection Earned four letters in football, starting his final three seasons as a two-way player In addition to playing defensive tackle, he also was the school's starter at tight end as a sophomore, moving his junior year to offensive tackle, where he started each of his last two seasons Lettered three times for the basketball team as well Purchased a mountain bike and took up bicycling during the 2003 offseason to assist with the hip and leg rehabilitation in returning from the injury that ended his 2002 season Other interests include fishing (particularly for bass), playing basketball, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, camping and spending time with friends Had spent the first half of 2002 remodeling a Green Bay home he purchased Is 12 hours away from completion of his undergraduate degree in psychology Participated in the 2005 Edgar Bennett Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon to raise funds for the Angel Fund and in the Families of Children with Cancer Holiday Party, organized by St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, in 2003, 2004 and 2006 Helped promote bicycle safety, publicizing a free safety clinic and helmet giveaway for 2,800 area youth that was put on by Green Bay's Bellin Health, Touchpoint Health and the Packers organization early in 2003 Along with his wife, Candy, served as spokespersons for the annual Packers Women's Association Food Drive from 2002-04; he visited and signed autographs at the local elementary and middle schools that raised the most food and money in the 2003 campaign Took part in a 2006, 2007, and 2008 golf tournament to raise funds for the Trifecta Foundation of linemate Tauscher Also has given time to the Donald Driver Foundation Attended a PWA military appreciation dinner in 2004 Locally, also has worked on behalf of the American Red Cross, taping a 2003 public service announcement in support of 'Super Donor Days' for blood donation; Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, posing for a 2003 billboard; the Green Bay Boys and Girls Club, mingling with donors as well as shooting a 2005 commercial; and University of Wisconsin-Green Bay athletics, through attendance at the school's Lambeau Field steak fry Additionally has been a participant multiple times in the Brett Favre Celebrity Softball Game In 2005, he got involved with the Boy Scouts organization in his offseason home of Nashville, Tenn. Took part in the football camp of Buffalo Bills center (and former college teammate) Trey Teague in July 2004 and July 2005 Earlier, he played basketball and signed autographs in March 2004 to help raise funds at the 'Doug Betters Big Mountain Winter Classic,' an annual event held in Montana by the former Miami Dolphins defensive end who today is a quadriplegic as the result of a 1998 skiing accident; returned to the Betters event in 2006 and 2007 Also has spoken to junior high school students in both Knoxville, Tenn., and his hometown of Martin, Tenn., on how to be successful in life Twin sisters, Gloria and Glenda, played basketball at Austin Peay Splits residence between Nashville, Tenn., and Green Bay Player Stats Back To Top Year GP GS 2000 Green Bay 13 10 2001 Green Bay 14 13 2002 Green Bay 10 9 2003 Green Bay 16 16 2004 Green Bay 16 16 2005 Green Bay 16 16 2006 Green Bay 15 15 2007 Green Bay 16 16 NFL totals (eight years) 116 111 Postseason 7 7 On injured reserve for Packers' game during '02 playoffs Additional statistics: Miscellaneous tackles - 1 in 2001, 1 in 2002, 1 in 2003; 1 in 2007; NFL total: 4. NFL debut: at Arizona, 9/24/00 First NFL start: vs. San Fran., 10/15/00 CAREER TRANSACTIONS 2000:Selected by Green Bay Packers in second round (44th overall) of '00 NFL Draft, April 15...Signed first contract, July 24. 2002: Placed on injured reserve (pelvis), Dec. 4. 2004: Designated franchise player by Packers, Feb. 24...Signed six-year contract extension, through 2009, March 2. CURRENT CONTRACT EXPIRATION: After 2009