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A resilient and physical defensive back, Nate Clements has provided an impactful presence in the 49ers secondary over the past 3 seasons. Clements, who routinely matches up against the best receivers in the NFL, prides himself on being multi-dimensional when it comes to playing the cornerback position. He was sidelined with a fractured scapula for the final 9 weeks of 2009. Clements is regarded as one of the surest tacklers in the game and has consistently shown an ability to force fumbles and intercept passes. His 14 FFs since 2004 rank 2nd among NFL CBs players during that time span. A Pro Bowl selection in 2004, Clements ranks 7th among NFL CBs with 27 INTs since 2002.

TRANSACTIONS: Originally a 1st round (21st pick overall) draft choice by Buf. in 2001…Signed by SF as an unrestricted free agent from Buf. on 3/2/07.

INJURY REPORT:
•Sidelined with a fractured scapula suffered at Ind. (11/1) for the final 9 weeks of 2009.

2009 CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
BALLHAWK
CB Nate Clements is a threat to get his hands on the ball whenever it’s in his vicinity. Clements ranks 15th in the NFL among active players with 30 career INTs. He has also been able to take 5 back for TDs, which ranks t-6th (along with CB Dre’ Bly) for most INT returns for TDs among active players. The two form a lethal tandem when they are on the field, combining for 73 career INTs, which is t-6th in the NFL among active tandems.

TWO OF THE BEST IN THE BACKFIELD
Since 2001, CB Nate Clements and CB Dre’ Bly have been two of the top defense backs in the league when it comes to getting their hands on the ball. Each one ranks in the top 5 among DBs in both FFs and PDs. Bly leads the league in INTs among CBs since 2001 while Clements ranks 9th.

2009 GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
•Recorded his 30th career INT at Arz. (9/13) in the 1st qtr., while helping limit WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin to 90 yds. rec.
•Set a career high with 5 PDs vs. Sea. (9/20), to go along with 8 tackles.
•Recovered a blocked FG by DT Ray McDonald and returned it 59 yds. for a TD at Min. (9/28) on K Ryan Longwell’s 44-yd. FG attempt. It marked his 2nd career blocked FG returned for a TD.
•Helped limit WR Andre Johnson to 62 yds. rec. on 2 recept. at Hou. (10/25).

GOLDMINE:
•Nate’s disciplined approach, humble manner and self-motivation stems from a strong figure in his life, his father. Nate Sr. made sure that his young, talented son was focused solely on school and football so that he could achieve his dream of attending Ohio State on a scholarship. Nate worked out at 6 a.m. before school started during his junior and senior years at Shaker Heights (OH) HS. He stayed up until midnight to finish his homework and study for the SATs after he finished football practice. Nate later became the first player inducted into his high school Hall of Fame and was an USA Today All-American at Ohio State. Nate Sr. has pushed him all the way, and still does today. After being voted to the Pro Bowl in the NFL, Nate Sr. told his son that while the All-Star game was an impressive achievement, maintaining consistency is how Nate would truly leave his mark in the league and eventually earn the ultimate honor – Hall of Fame status.
•Nate has aspirations on the golf links following his NFL playing days. “After I’m done playing football, I want to turn pro in golf. If I dedicate my time in golf like I do in football, I can definitely make it.” Todd France, Clement’s agent, said his client is not far from being a scratch golfer. As for Nate’s own account of his game, “I have my days,” he said. “Really, I am a golfer. That is what I think I am going to be doing after football. I’ve been golfing since I was 12. I never really had a chance to pursue it hard because football was my first love. But, whenever I get a chance, I like to go golfing.”
•Since arriving in SF, Nate has been one of the most active players in the community and has taken part in the majority of the “Community Tuesday” events organized by the team. “It’s definitely a personal experience for me, giving back each week. I go home with a good feeling knowing that I helped somebody who’s not in the position that I’m in. I know that I’m able, so I’m willing. It’s not always about giving money, it’s giving time. That’s what most people want, just a little bit of time.”

AWARDS & HONORS:
2001: Football News All-Rookie Team, Sports Illustrated NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
2002: AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 7)
2004: AFC Pro Bowl
2007: Bill Walsh Award (Co-recipient with Patrick Willis)

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
•A Pro Bowl selection in 2004, ranks tied for 4th among NFL cornerbacks with 27 INTs since 2002.
•His 14 forced fumbles since 2004 rank tied for 1st among NFL cornerbacks and tied for 11th among all NFL players during that time span.
•Had a streak of 119 consecutive games started come to an end in 2008 when he was sidelined with a thumb injury vs. NYJ (12/7). It marked the only NFL game he had missed during his 8-year career.
•Has returned 5 INTs, 2 punts and 1 blocked FG attempt for TDs.
•His 6 INTs in 2002 tied him for 2nd in AFC behind Oakland CB Rod Woodson (8).

2008 (San Francisco)
•Posted 7 tackles and 1 FF at Sea. (9/14). His FF on WR Billy McCullen was recovered by S Michael Lewis as the Seahawks were driving deep into 49ers territory.
•Recorded first INT of season vs. NE (10/6) off QB Matt Cassel, picking off pass at 49ers 6-yd. line in 1st qtr.
•Scored 8th career TD when he returned a blocked FG attempt 74 yds. for a score at NYG (10/19). •Inactive vs. NYJ (12/7) with thumb injury, snapping a streak of 119 consecutive starts.

2007 (San Francisco)
•Started all 16 games for 6th consecutive season, ranking tied for 1st with 4 INTs. Also led team with 3 FFs and 18 PDs. Was co-winner of the coveted Bill Walsh Award along with LB Patrick Willis, given to team’s MVP as voted upon by coaches.
•In first career Monday Night Football appearance, helped limit WRs Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald to a combined 42 receiving yds., while tallying 3 tackles and 2 PDs vs. Arz. (9/10).
•Recorded 9 tackles, 1 sack and 1 FF in win at StL (9/16). His FF on WR Torry Holt at 49ers 8-yd. line rolled out of the end zone to give the 49ers possession.
•Posted first INT as a member of 49ers vs. Sea. (9/30) to go along with 3 PDs.
•Tied a career-high with 13 tackles in addition to notching 1 INT at Sea. (11/12).
•Tallied 10 tackles and 1 FF at Arz. (11/25) as he poked the ball away from WR Anquan Boldin in 2nd qtr. to set up a RB Frank Gore TD run.
•Finished with 8 tackles and 1 INT, which he returned for a career-long 62 yds. to set up a QB Shaun Hill TD pass vs. TB (12/23).
•Recorded first NFL FG block on a K Phil Dawson attempt in 3rd qtr. at Cle. (12/30).

2006 (Buffalo)
•Finished season with a career-high 22 PDs.
•Recovered a fumble in 4th qtr. to help Bills come back from 17-16 deficit at Ind. (11/12). Added 6 tackles and 3 PDs, while holding WR Marvin Harrison to 2 catches and 21 yds.
•Recorded an INT on first drive of game at Hou. (11/19), while posting 4 tackles, 3 PDs and 1 FR.
•Had a 58-yd. INT return for a TD in 2nd qtr. at NYJ (12/10), marking his 5th career INT return for a TD.

2005 (Buffalo)
•Held Pro Bowl WR Andre Johnson to just 3 catches for 18 yds. as he tallied 7 tackles, 1 PD and 2 punt returns for 19 yds. vs. Hou. (9/11).
•Established a career-high 13 tackles in addition to posting 1 INT vs. NE (12/11).

2004 (Buffalo)
•Earned Pro Bowl honors after tying a career-high with 6 INTs, including 1 returned for a TD. Also had a career-long 86-yd. punt return for a TD and a career-high 5 FFs.
•Tallied 4 tackles, 2 PDs and a FF at Cin. (12/19) while holding WR Chad Johnson to 2 recepts. for 10 yds.
•Turned game around with an INT return for a TD vs. Pit. (1/2/05) to give Bills a 1-point lead in 3rd qtr. Added a season-high 10 tackles and 2 FFs.

2003 (Buffalo)
•Led team with 3 INTs for third time in as many seasons with Bills.
•Notched an INT in season opener vs. NE (9/7) after snagging a tipped pass from QB Tom Brady in back of end zone, getting both feet in for a touchback.
•Other 2 INTs came at Mia. (9/21) where he picked off QB Jay Fiedler on Miami’s opening drive and again in the 4th qtr. with a 54-yd. INT return for a TD.

2002 (Buffalo)
•Led team in INTs for second straight season with 6, tying him for 2nd in AFC behind Oakland’s CB Rod Woodson (8).
•Earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after tying a Bills franchise record with 3 INTs, including 1 returned for a 29-yd. TD at Mia. (10/20).

2001 (Buffalo)
•Led team with 3 INTs, the most by a Bills rookie since Jeff Nixon’s 6 in 1979. Selected as NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year by Sports Illustrated’s Peter King. Also named to Football News’ All-Rookie Team.
•Led team in kickoff returns and took 1 of his 4 punt returns 66 yds. for a TD vs. Ind. (11/4).
•Recorded first NFL INT and returned it 48 yds. for first NFL TD in season opener at Ind. (9/23).
•Made first career start at Jac. (10/18) and had 2 PDs while holding WR Jimmy Smith to 49 receiving yds.
•Recorded first career FF in 1st qtr. on a WR Oronde Gadsden recept. vs. Mia. (11/25).
•Made first career sack vs. NE (12/16) to go along with 4 solo tackles.

COLLEGE: 
Played in 36 games with 24 starts in 3 seasons at Ohio State before entering the draft after his junior campaign. Finished with 177 career tackles, 7 INTs and 22 Pds. Also gained 695 yds. on 58 punt returns (12.0 avg.) and a TD. Was a first-team All-Big Ten Conference choice in 2000.

PERSONAL: 
•Was a USA Today, Blue Chip Illustrated and Super Prep All-America selection at Shaker Heights (OH) HS, where he also was an all-state selection. Tallied 14 INTs throughout high school career.
•During senior season, picked off 7 passes, returning one for a TD, and had 14 PDs. Also scored twice on kickoff returns and competed at quarterback, throwing 16 TD passes.
•Became first player inducted into high school’s Hall of Fame.
•Born Nathan D. Clements (12/12/79) in Shaker Heights, OH. Married to Melissa.
•Majored in general studies.