LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – Jeanne Correa always believed that her granddaughter, Amber Clark, deserved to be cheered on on the field of an NFL stadium.

Correa’s dream will come true Monday when the Kansas City Chiefs recognize Clark, the University of Saint Mary’s flag football coach, for helping the USA Football national team win the IFAF Flag World Cup in late August in Lahti, Finland.

“My grandmother, before she passed away, was so determined to have me work on NFL teams, sending them letters all the time, calling them, just to make sure they knew what her granddaughter was doing ,” Clark said.

Thanks to Amber Clark

Correa died in June 2023.

A few weeks later, Clark grabbed the interception for the title as the U.S. National Team was crowned IFAF America’s Continental Champions in Charlotte, North Carolina.

It marked the end of a long journey for Clark.

Clark grew up in Greenville, North Carolina playing basketball and volleyball. She also ran track and became a star in field events.

Clark went on to become a long and triple jumper at the University of North Carolina, but she also developed a passion for soccer but struggled to find a way to tap into that love.

“Football has always been a dream, but after I graduated I finally got the chance to play,” Clark said.

She googled women’s soccer teams, which led to her trying out for the Atlanta Steam of the Legends Football League for four years until the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the league.

That was when Clark made the switch to flag football.

She first tried out for the national team in 2021 but did not make the cut and then suffered a knee injury before the 2022 tryouts.

That made the 2023 U.S. Continental Championships – which also included rival Mexico and teams from Brazil, Canada, Chile and Panama – a turning point.

But Correa is never far from Clark’s thoughts when she plays.

“I carry her with me everywhere,” Clark said, reaching out her right arm and pulling back her sleeve to reveal a tattoo in Correa’s honor. “I kiss it every time before I step on the field, pray about it when I wake up that morning before a game. She is always with me.”

John Batten/KSHB

Clark saved and still listens to voicemails Correa left her: “This is an important message for coach Amber Clark from Grandma Jeanne. Enjoy a wonderful, winning match today. Go team! Love you. I’ll talk to you later. Bye.”

Clark smiles widely and wistfully as she turns off her phone.

“She had the sweetest voice and character,” Clark said. “She loved everyone, cared for everyone.”

Clark and one of her IFAF Flag World Cup-winning teammates, Addie Orsborn, who plays for the four-time reigning NAIA national champion Ottawa University flag football team, will be honored during the Chiefs’ game against New Orleans on Monday night at GEHA Field. at Arrowhead Stadium.

“I’m very nervous about being on the field and being in the spotlight because football has always been a dream and so many things are being checked off the list of things I always imagined but never had thought I could actually do them,” Clark said. .

She takes comfort in knowing that Correa will be there to watch over her, just like she always is.

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