Clay Rush

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Clay Rush

| image = Clay Rush Colorado Crush Pepsi Center Interview.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Rush with the Colorado Crush

| number =

| position = Kicker

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|10|27|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Riverview Gardens, Missouri, U.S.[https://www.arenafan.com/players/Clay_Rush-2102/ "Clay Rush"] at Arena Fan.com. Retrieved July 5, 2024

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 3

| weight_lb = 220

| high_school = Riverview Gardens (St. Louis)

| college = Missouri Western

| pastteams = * Shreveport Knights (1999)

Iowa Barnstormers (1999–2000)
New York Dragons (2001–2002){{cite web |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/arena-football-league-transactions/n-1963658 |title=Arena Football League Transactions |date=March 20, 2002 |publisher=OurSports Central |work=www.oursportscentral.com |accessdate=July 22, 2017}}
Indiana Firebirds (2003–2004)
Colorado Crush (2005–2006)
Kansas City Brigade (2007)
Arizona Rattlers (2007)
Colorado Crush (2008)

}}

Clay Rush (born October 27, 1973) is a former American football kicker who played in the Arena Football League (AFL) from 1999 to the original league's folding in 2008.{{Cite web|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3565034|title=November Team-By-Team Update - OurSports Central|website=www.oursportscentral.com|access-date=2016-10-02}}

Early years

At Riverview Gardens High School in St. Louis, Missouri, Rush was a three-sport star in football, soccer, and baseball. He threw a no-hitter his senior season against Normandy High School. He also played basketball early in his high school career though he didn't play varsity.

Rush attended Missouri Western State University, where he was named to the Mid–America Intercollegiate Athletics Association All-Conference Team four times, and was an NCAA Division II All-American as a senior.

Professional career

Rush attended NFL training camp with the Detroit Lions (1998), Atlanta Falcons (1999), Washington Redskins (2000), and New York Jets (2003).{{cite web| url = http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/clay-rush-signs-with-new-york-jets/n-1996644| title = Clay Rush Signs with New York Jets - OurSports Central}}{{Cite web|url=http://denverpost.com/2005/06/20/crushs-hero-may-fit-titans-to-a-tee/|title=Crush's hero may fit Titans to a tee – The Denver Post|access-date=2016-10-02}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/clay-rush-signs-with-new-york-jets/n-1996644|title=Clay Rush Signs with New York Jets - OurSports Central|website=www.oursportscentral.com|access-date=2016-10-02}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.denverpost.com/2005/06/20/crushs-hero-may-fit-titans-to-a-tee/|title=Crush's hero may fit Titans to a tee – The Denver Post|access-date=2016-10-02}}

Rush played for the Shreveport Knights in the short-lived Regional Football League in 1999.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/27614450/knights_report/ |title=Knights Report |first=John |last=McCloskey |newspaper=The Times |location=Shreveport, Louisiana |page=17 |date=May 17, 1999 |accessdate=January 24, 2019 |via=newspapers.com}}

=Arena Football League=

Rush was named First Team All-Arena in 2000 and 2003. He was also named Second Team All-Arena in 2005 and 2006. Rush was named AFL Kicker of the Year{{cite web| url = http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/crush-sign-two-time-kicker-of-the-year-clay-rush/n-3089743| title = Crush sign two-time Kicker of the Year Clay Rush - OurSports Central}} in both 2000 and 2003.{{cite web |url=http://a.espncdn.com/nfl/news/2003/0604/1563080.html |title = ESPN.com: NFL - Wednesday roundup: Bruce Smith acquitted in DUI case}} In 2001, Rush made an AFL-record 110 extra-points, including a record 13 made PATs vs. Carolina on July 7, 2001.{{Cite web|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/crush-sign-two-time-kicker-of-the-year-clay-rush/n-3089743|title=Crush sign two-time Kicker of the Year Clay Rush - OurSports Central|website=www.oursportscentral.com|access-date=2016-10-02}} Rush made the game-winning field goal as time expired during ArenaBowl XIX. In 2005, Rush converted a 62-yard field goal and lead the AFL in touchbacks.{{Cite web|url=http://www.denverpost.com/2005/06/20/crushs-hero-may-fit-titans-to-a-tee/|title=Crush's hero may fit Titans to a tee – The Denver Post|access-date=2016-10-02}}

In 2008, Rush sustained a series of hits to the head in two games two weeks apart. Rush was removed from the game in Kansas City following positive signs of concussion. Following the second concussion, Rush wasn't properly evaluated or monitored. Team physicians cleared Rush to return to play after resting for a week. When Rush played again on about April 25, 2008, his symptoms worsened and he suffered permanent brain damage.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/19/sports/football/19concussions.html|title=Ex-A.F.L. Player's Lawsuit Cites Mishandling of Concussions|last=Schwarz|first=Alan|date=2010-03-18|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-10-02}}