Biography: Bobby Clarke
Bobby Clarke Biography
Claim to Fame: NHL Hockey Player
DOB: August 1949
Diabetes Type: 1
Bobby Clarke was born in Canada and is a former NHL hockey player for the Philadelphia Flyers. At the young age of eight Clarke began to play hockey but also learned that he suffered from diabetes. As he grew up his passion for hockey only grew fonder and he was determined to play professionally. Due to his diabetes, however, teams were hesitant to draft him. He assured them that his hard work and dedication would pay off. The Philadelphia Flyers gave Clarke a shot and drafted him in the 1967 Entry Draft.
(His diet antics would later become famous: He would drink two cans of soda and take three spoons of sugar before a game, add two bottles of orange juice during intermissions and pack chocolate bars and glucose gum hidden in his uniform's pockets, to prevent his sugar from going down from all the physical activity during the sixty minute games.)
In 1974-1975 Clarke was named captain and he led his team to victory in the Stanley Cup. Clarke would not let his diabetes get in his way. He worked and played hard to achieve the success of the Flyers. In the NHL season after 1983-84 Clarke retired. Shortly after, in 1987, Clarke was inducted in to the Hockey Hall of Fame. His most recent award occurred in 2005 when he was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
