OUTLOOK - With his frame and athletic background, it's highly unlikely that anyone is going to bully or physically intimidate Dan Clark.
But that doesn't stop the offensive lineman for the Saskatchewan Roughriders from spreading the message about anti-bullying measures at schools across the province, trying to give kids the confidence and the knowledge to look at a situation and know how to react to it.
Clark appeared in Outlook on Wednesday afternoon, April 13 to speak with students in Grades 6-9 in the gym at Outlook High School. The appearance, made possible by the Outlook SCC and with sponsorship from AG Foods and Riverbend Co-op, was a highlight for many in the crowd who were obvious Rider fans. Clark went over a few of his career highlights before opening the floor to questions from the students. Answering one query about how much he can bench, he said he could lift 505 lbs at one point, but Clark cheekily said he couldn't approach that anymore as he's 33 years old and now considered "the old man on the team."
In speaking about people who Clark considered to be leaders, he pointed to Riders quarterback Cody Fajardo as someone who was selfless and always thinking about how he can help other people.
"If I asked him for the shirt off his back, he would Fed Ex it to me right away," said Dan, touching on his QB's nature.
Clark also went over a laundry list of injuries that he's sustained throughout his career, and mentioned that winning the Grey Cup and making his first touchdown are among his best memories in playing professional football. Interestingly enough, Dan noted that he is the last remaining player who won the 2013 Grey Cup who is still on the Rider team today.
In discussing how to address bullying and prevent it from happening, Clark talked about the students building healthy relationships with each other to the point where if someone feels threatened or uneasy, they can reach out to someone who they trust. Three people are always involved in bullying situations, Clark said - bullies, bystanders and victims. It's about getting those bystanders to step in and help when it's needed. He also talked about cyberbullying, which is a rampant issue in today's tech-driven society.
"People don't see the hurt and pain that's created," said Dan, on cyberbullying tactics such as private messages on social media.
Social media can be a great thing, Clark said, but it's important to have boundaries and know how to be safe.
"What matters to me is that we live in a safe and better province, and that you are the next generation to help make that happen," Clark told the students.
To close out his time in Outlook, Dan signed autographs and posed for photos with the kids, even giving his hat to one of the students.
