Down, but not out 

Naperville Central senior misses his last game 
due to illness — but he still feels part of this 
championship season. 

By Scott Merkin 
ChicagoSports.com 

November 27, 1999 

CHAMPAIGN - Gerald Clark sat slumped over in a chair, 
carefully resting his head in his hands following the 
post-game press conference Saturday night.Inside, the 
senior safety was celebrating, rejoicing in Naperville 
Central's first football title. He had played a large part 
in this unbeaten season with 91 tackles.But on the outside, 
Clark was feeling anything but healthy.

Due to mono-hepatitis discovered by doctor's tests on Friday, 
Clark spent the championship game on the sideline. He wore 
his No. 42 jersey and a pair of jeans, wanting desperately 
to play, as he had in the Redhawks' first 13 games.He also 
realized some things are more important than football."I 
originally tested positive on Thursday for mononucleosis," 
Clark explained. "They wanted to do some more tests because 
I wanted to play today. I could play sick--it was no big 
deal. 

The concern was whether the cell levels in my spleen 
or my liver were elevated to the point where I would risk 
rupturing my spleen or my liver."The tests Friday revealed 
I have mono-hepatitis of the liver, and there was no way I 
could play. It was upsetting because this is my last 
football game ever. I'm just going to pursue a baseball 
career in college. It's not the way I planned to go 
out."Clark's family and his doctors decided the risk to his 
liver and his spleen far outweighed any thoughts of putting 
him out on the field in the Redhawks' defensive secondary. 

It was tough for him to simply watch the 56-31 victory, and 
not because Schaumburg scored more points than any other 
Naperville Central opponent."I wasn't worried because our 
defense doesn't rely on one guy," Clark said. "I knew we 
wouldn't struggle. The points Schaumburg scored were to 
their credit, not our shame. We played a great game."Coach 
Joe Bunge brought in all of his captains to the press 
conference, including Clark, who looked more fatigued than 
any of the other guys who had been playing the past two 
hours. Then again, maybe they had an easier night than 
their sick teammate."I'm under the weather, but I know this 
just has to run its course," said Clark, who explained his 
symptoms as a low-grade fever and a severe sore throat. It 
should take about 2 to 4 weeks for this infection to 
clear."I just never thought this would keep me out of the 
state championship," he added.In the end, though, Clark 
took a positive attitude. 

If a state title meant him sitting out, he had no arguments."There are plenty of kids 
who are healthy all year, play every game and never get to 
experience a state title," Clark said. "I feel just as much 
a part of the team as if I was playing."Where celebrating 
is concerned, though, Clark will have to bow out--at least 
for the foreseeable future."I'm tired and I need to rest 
right now," Clark said. "I have a feeling this celebration 
will go on for a while, so I won't miss anything." 

Copyright 2000 ChicagoSports.com 

You can see this and more sports news at 
http://www.chicagosports.com/preps/content/story/0,1984,57572,00.html

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