Selection #2 - Dwight "Slim's Gravy Train" Clark

Dwight Clark - Selected with the 2nd pick of the 1st round, #2 overall by The King's Court

The average modern day athlete is far removed from the humility and graciousness of the players that came before. Athletes like Joe Dimaggio, Arnold Palmer and Bob Cousy transcended their respective sports. Their performances on the field and their character off the field left indelible marks on the trails they blazed.

Many of today's athletes are characterized by a "me first" attitude that puts their careers in the limelight. They seem to put their place on Madison Avenue ahead of their teams' quest for Super Bowl titles. The sports world is laced with Prima Donnas like Terrell Owens, Chad Johnson (aka Ocho Cinco) and Stephon Marbury.

Unfortunately, the TGA Tour hasn't been immune to the self-absorbed actions of players that consistently rate their own agendas ahead of those of the tour itself. Since the inception of the TGA Tour, no player has been more about pounding his own chest than Dwight Clark, the second overall pick of the 2009 King Invitational.

Last year's K.I. was marred by Clark's misrepresentation of the duties of a team captain. After having the honor of captainship bestowed upon him, Clark went out and made a mockery of the entire selection process, fueling anger amongst his own team and fellow competitors.

Once play began, Clark's leadership skills were called into action. Before long it became apparent that he was more interested in creating matches to ensure points for himself instead of looking out for the greater good of his team. Soon, a revolt among his players began and his team, primarily his #1 overall pick Scott Hobson, came unraveled.

With dissension at all-time high, Clark paired himself with Lane Moore in Sunday's captain's choice event, hoping to lead Team Clark to a rousing comeback win. However, it was Turtle Moore who shocked the world with a grinding effort to lead his team's victory over the team of Chris Morris & Jackie King. Afterwards, a defiant Clark reportedly failed to credit Moore for his efforts and refused to speak with reporters after Team Hedrick sealed their King Invitational victory.

One TGA player, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, "Dwight is as talented player as there has ever been on tour. The problem is that if he was as good as he thinks he is, he'd at least be a Nationwide Tour player. The cockiness just rubs some guys the wrong way."

After a sparkling 2007 TGA season that saw him capture the first ever TGA Player of the Year award, Clark's star has dimmed on tour. He continues to fight speculation that he avoids tournaments at courses that don't suit his game and it's believed that his refusal to commit to a full season on tour is what keeps him from making another serious run at the Player of the Year crown.

The King's Court captain, Jackie King dismissed the negative talk and had this to say about the second overall draft pick: "T.O., Randy Moss, Ocho Cinco... all of those guys get pummeled by the media but every team in the league wants to have a player with that kind of talent. I knew, without a doubt, that we would grab Dwight with the second pick if he was still on the board."

"Our advance scouts rave about his swing, claiming that it's as good as it's ever been. Our staff believes that he has worked out the small chinks in his putting armor. And the golf world knows that when it comes to match play, he will pose a huge problem for anyone out there. Remember Junior Benfield? He was a five-to-one favorite against Dwight a few seasons ago. After the Gravy Train battled him at every turn, he never came back."

Clark will make his fifth straight appearance at the King Invitational.

• Role on The King's Court: The Trumpeter
• School: South Stokes High School, Appalachian State University
• Personal: Wife, Cindy. Son, Chaffin. Daughter, Chelsea
• Other notable athletes drafted #2 overall: NFL HAll-of-Famer Randy White (Dallas Cowboys, 1975), NBA Hall-of-Famer Isiah Thomas (Detroit Pistons, 1981)
• Hobbies: Coaching baseball, playing in & hosting poker tournaments
• Favorite teams: San Fransisco 49ers, Appalachian St. Mountaineers,
• Did you know? Dwight is a frequent visitor to Atlantic City, traveling there at least twice a year
• Who would play Dwight in the sports movie version of the King Invitational? NASCAR driver, Kyle Busch