Nate Clements
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Career Summary
Nate Clements was an NFL cornerback who played for Buffalo, San Francisco, and Cincinnati over 12 seasons.
NFL.com credits Clements with 180 games, 743 tackles, 36 interceptions, 141 passes defensed, and five defensive touchdowns.
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Early Life
Clements grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
A 49ers profile identifies Shaker Heights as his hometown and notes that his father, Nate Sr., worked as both an electrician and firefighter.
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College Career
Clements was a two-year starting cornerback and punt returner at Ohio State.
In 2000, he started all 12 games at cover corner and recorded 68 tackles, four interceptions, and a team-high 13 pass breakups. Ohio State credited him with 177 tackles, 24 pass breakups, and seven interceptions across his two seasons as a starter; its records also list 58 career punt returns for 695 yards.
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Path to the NFL
Clements entered the NFL after his junior season at Ohio State and became Buffalo's first-round selection in 2001.
Ohio State announced that he would forgo his remaining college eligibility, and the Bills' draft history lists him as the 21st overall pick in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
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NFL Career
Clements played for the Bills from 2001 through 2006, the 49ers from 2007 through 2010, and the Bengals from 2011 through 2012.
His NFL career totals include 588 solo tackles, 155 assists, 4.5 sacks, 36 interceptions, 141 passes defensed, five defensive touchdowns, and 508 interception-return yards.
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Career Accomplishments
Clements was a 2004 Pro Bowl selection during his Buffalo tenure.
The Bills announced Clements as part of their 2004 Pro Bowl defensive trio. He also recorded six interceptions in both the 2002 and 2004 seasons, according to NFL.com career statistics.
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Playing Style
Clements' team coverage was complemented by run support, rerouting receivers, and occasional blitzing.
A 49ers feature described his ability to contribute through tackling, physical coverage, and blitzing, while his NFL totals reflect consistent ball production with 36 interceptions and 141 passes defensed.
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Legacy
Clements built a long NFL career marked by durable starting duty and sustained turnover production.
Across 180 games, he returned five interceptions for touchdowns and finished with 36 interceptions, placing his impact across three franchises in the league record.
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Sources for this section
19359, 00-0020495, 1979-12-12, Nate Clements, Nathan, Clements
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