It is often said that good things happen to good people. Clinton Hart is a perfect example of that. To get to this point of his career, Hart traveled down an unconventional path. Now on the cusp of becoming one of the NFL’s premier safeties, Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith rewarded Hart for his persistence and perseverance by re-signing him to a new five-year deal in April 2008 that will keep him in San Diego through the 2012 season.



Last season, Hart made his debut as the team’s new starting strong safety and he turned in his finest season as a pro. Hart played a key role as the Chargers led the NFL in interceptions, takeaways and turnover ratio. He finished the year tied for ninth in the NFL and he was second on the squad with a career-high five interceptions, including one on the final play of a Nov. 11 game against Indianapolis that helped the Chargers clinch a victory over the defending Super Bowl Champion Colts. Hart backed up his interception totals with a career-best 109 tackles, which led the secondary and ranked third on the team. He also registered his first sack since 2003.



Interestingly, Hart never donned a helmet or shoulder pads in college. Instead, he was a standout on his school’s baseball team. At Sumter South High School in Bushnell, Florida, he played both football and baseball, but after graduating, Hart enrolled at Central Florida Community College to play baseball and stay close to his family.



In many respects, it seems Hart was always destined to play football. During college, he used to bring a football to baseball practice to warm up his arm. The coaches teased him that he was playing the wrong sport.



In 2000, Hart had a tryout with the Tallahassee Thunder of AFL2 and made the team. Hart earned just $162 per week and had to endure bus rides of up to 20 hours. In 2001, he signed with the Tampa Bay Storm of the AFL and had a breakout season that ended with him earning AFL Rookie of the Year honors.



Hart’s success in the Arena League landed him a contract offer from the Philadelphia Eagles in 2002. Once signed, he was allocated to NFL Europe where he played for the Rhein Fire and Amsterdam Admirals. Upon returning to the states, he went to training camp with the Eagles, but was released toward the end of camp. Philadelphia later signed him to their practice squad.



Hart’s career took off in 2003. Still with the Eagles, he was called upon in midseason to replace injured Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins. Hart filled in admirably, as the Eagles went 7-2 in the nine games that he started.



Clinton has not forgotten his roots in Florida. He hosts a youth football camp and donates time and resources to the Webster Sports Complex near his hometown of Bushnell, Fla. He also helped rebuild the roof on the church he and his family attended in Webster.



Clinton has always enjoyed working with kids. He worked as a counselor and recreation specialist at the Marion Youth Development Center in Ocala, Fla.



In October of 2006 Clinton and his wife, Kelli Fuqua, had their first child, a daughter named Lillian.



One of Hart’s favorite hobbies is watching DVDs of Sanford and Son and the movie Rocky. He even keeps a statue of Rocky Balboa in his locker. Hart is also an accomplished barber and has a barber’s license. In April 2008, Hart will open his very own barber shop called The Brickhouse Salon, in Ocala.