Former NFL star praises Cowboys player’s ‘full effort’ in key special teams rotation

Dallas Cowboys player Alijah Clark turned heads over the weekend when he showed incredible hustle to force a key turnover during the team’s win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

During a Cowboys punt, Clark was pushed down several times, but still rose to cause Xavier Gipson to fumble. Many NFL fans and players applauded Clark, including former star pass rusher Shawne Merriman, who told News Digital that that type of effort is exactly what any coach would want to see in a player.

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The Chargers’ Shawne Merriman warms up before the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New England Patriots on January 14, 2007, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

“It was a clear training tape of what they want to show every high school kid in the country,” Merriman said. “People come to me all the time, they want to play in the NFL, that’s what I would show them. If you ever want to make a team, if you’re on the fence about whether you can make a team or not, do it, you put yourself in the best position to make that 53-man roster. That’s a clear coaching tape of the total effort of what these young players need to see.”

Clark joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent this year. Merriman said it’s those types of plays that would keep him on the roster for a long time.

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Dallas Cowboys safety Alijah Clark (38) and cornerback Trikweze Bridges react in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on Oct. 26, 2025. (Ron Chenoy/Image Images)

“That’s what determines whether a player is going to make a team or not. I always tell guys, ‘The more you can do.’ If you can go on special teams and make a play like that, I know guys that stayed in the NFL for a long time making plays like that and that’s what you have to do,” Merriman added.

While the Cowboys failed to score any points after the play, Dallas was able to win the game 24-21.

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He has appeared in six games for Dallas and has 15 tackles.

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