NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Dallas Cowboys punter 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 got up to fumble Xavier Gipson. Many NFL fans and players applauded Clark, including former star pass rusher Shawne Merriman, who told Pakinomist Digital that type of effort is exactly what any coach wants to see out of a player.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Shawne Merriman #56 of the San Diego Chargers warms up on the field before the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the New England Patriots held on January 14, 2007 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
“It was a clear coaching tape of what you want to show every high school kid in the country,” Merriman said. “People come up to me all the time, they want to play in the NFL, that’s what I wanted to show them. If you ever want to make a team, if you’re on the edge, whether you can make a team or not, you do it, you put yourself in the best position to make that 53-man roster. It’s clear coaching tape of an all-out effort for what these young players can see.”
Clark joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent this year. Merriman said it’s the kind of game that would keep him on a roster for a long time.
NFL TO HONOR AMERICA’S 250TH BIRTHDAY WITH SPECIAL TRIBUTE AS CALENDAR FLIPS TO 2026
Dallas Cowboys safety Alijah Clark (38) and cornerback Trikweze Bridges (25) react in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on Oct. 26, 2025. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
“That’s what determines if a guy is going to make a team or not. I always tell guys, ‘The more you can do.’ If you can run down special teams and make a play like that, I know guys that have been in the NFL for a very long time and make a play like that, and that’s what you have to do,” Merriman added.
While the Cowboys were unable to get points on the play, Dallas was able to win the game 24-21.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Bundle FOX One and FOX Nation to stream the entire FOX Nation library plus live FOX News, Sports and Entertainment at the lowest price of the year. The offer ends on 4 January 2026. (Fox One; Fox Nation)
He has appeared in six games for Dallas and has 15 tackles.
