FINS FACT
One of the fastest Dolphins, Chris ran a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2009. However, it was years earlier on his hometown streets of Arcadia, Fla., that he earned the nickname that still sticks to this day. Following a race when he beat a local speedster multiple times, Chris was given the nickname ‘“deer’” when an onlooker complimented him following his victory by exclaiming, “You run like a deer,” and the name has stuck from that day on.
FINS FACT
One of the fastest Dolphins, Chris ran a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2009. However, it was years earlier on his hometown streets of Arcadia, Fla., that he earned the nickname that still sticks to this day. Following a race when he beat a local speedster multiple times, Chris was given the nickname ‘“deer’” when an onlooker complimented him following his victory by exclaiming, “You run like a deer,” and the name has stuck from that day on.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS
Originally a fifth-round draft choice (165th overall) of Miami in the 2009 draft.
PRO
2010 - Started 14 games at free safety . . . Also played in a reserve role once and was inactive vs. Chicago (11/18) with a hamstring injury . . . Finished third on team with 60 tackles (50 solo) . . . Added 1.5 sacks for 8.5 yards in losses along with one interception without a return and five passes defensed . . . Also forced two fumbles and recovered a fumble . . . Led the team in tackles once and finished second once . . . Tied for the team lead with nine tackles, including a half-sack for 0.5 yards in losses vs. Pittsburgh (10/24), sharing a one-yard sack of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with Koa Misi . . . Finished tied for second on the team in tackles with eight stops at Baltimore (11/7) . . . Recovered a Bo Scaife fumble that was caused by Karlos Dansby on the Titans’ first possession of the game vs Tennessee (11/14) . . . The Dolphins went on to score a touchdown as a result of that fumble . . . Had four tackles and first career interception, picking off a Bruce Gradkowski pass without a return at Oakland (11/28) . . . Had one tackle, an eight-yard sack of Lions quarterback Shaun Hill, vs. Detroit (12/26) . . . It was the first full sack of his career.
2009 - Played in 11 games with two starts . . . Was inactive first five games of season . . . Finished season with seven tackles (five solo) . . . Made Dolphins debut in a reserve role vs. New Orleans (10/25) . . . Earned first career start at N.Y. Jets (11/1) and responded with three tackles . . . In that Jets game, the Dolphins started three rookies (Clemons, and cornerbacks Vontae Davis and Sean Smith) in their secondary, the first time in club history three rookies started a game in the secondary . . . Also started in season finale against Pittsburgh (1/3/10) . . . Finished tied for fourth on the Dolphins in tackles in the preseason with 11 stops.
COLLEGE
Four-year letterman (2005-08) and three-year starter at Clemson . . . Finished college career with 323 tackles (203 solo), five interceptions, 20 passes defensed and 20 special teams tackles . . . Added six tackles for loss and a forced fumble . . . Started all 13 games as a senior in 2008 . . . Recorded 94 tackles (62 solo), three tackles for loss and seven passes defensed . . . Had two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown . . . Earned team’s Iron Man Award . . . Selected as school’s Defensive Player of the Week against Alabama (10 tackles) and South Carolina (seven tackles and an interception) . . . Was Special Teams Player of the Week against Georgia Tech . . . Started all 13 games as a junior is 2007 . . . Recorded 94 tackles (61 solo), two interceptions, two tackles for loss and five passes defensed . . . Defense was in the top 10 in the nation in total defense, pass defense and scoring defense . . . Had four double-figure tackle games, including a season high 15 against Auburn . . . Won the coaches Defensive Player of the Game Award against Furman when he had seven tackles, an interception, tackle for loss and a pass defensed . . . Started all 13 games as a sophomore in 2006 . . . Recorded 102 tackles (61 solo), an interception, a forced fumble and eight passes defensed . . . With 12 tackles was named as coaches Defensive Player of the Game against Maryland . . . Racked-up 41 tackles in the last three games of the regular season, including a season-high 17 against N.C. State . . . Played in 12 games as a redshirt freshman in 2005 . . . Posted 22 tackles (19 solo) on defense and ten hits on special teams . . . Was one of only two freshmen to record at least one tackle in every game . . . Redshirted as true freshman in 2004 . . . Graduated in August, 2008 with degree in community recreation management.
PERSONAL
Attended DeSoto High School in Arcadia, Fla . . . Rushed for 1,242 yards with 11 touchdowns on 193 carries as a senior . . . Named as team’s offensive MVP and was a first-team running back by Sarasota Herald Tribune . . . Had 951 rushing yards on 100 carries with eight touchdowns and five interceptions, including two for touchdowns, as a junior . . . Also averaged more than 16 points and 10 rebounds for the school’s basketball team . . . Ran a 10.52 in the 100m, the fourth-best time in the state, and was district champion in the 100m and 200m as a senior . . . Growing up, his favorite sports teams were the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys and his favorite athlete was Emmitt Smith . . . Lists “Love and Basketball” as favorite movie and Lil’ Wayne as favorite recording artist . . . Enjoys playing video games and spending time with friends and family . . . Participated in the Miami Dolphins Foundation Fishing Tournament . . . Part of the Dolphins Community Blitz, in which he handed out food at Feeding South Florida’s mobile food pantry . . . Part of the Dolphins All-Community team in which players purchase game tickets for local charities . . . Donated money to help purchase meals for the holidays . . . Full name is Christian Donovan Clemons, born September 15, 1985 in Arcadia, Fla.
