View source for Jimmy Clausen

{{Short description|American football player (born 1987)}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name        = Jimmy Clausen
| image       = Jimmy Clausen Ravens 2015.jpg
| caption     = Clausen with the [[Baltimore Ravens]] in 2015
| number      = 2, 7, 8
| position    = [[Quarterback]]
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1987|09|21|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Thousand Oaks, California]], U.S.
| height_ft   = 6
| height_in   = 3
| weight_lbs  = 210
| high_school = [[Oaks Christian School]] {{nowrap|([[Westlake Village, California]])}}
| college     = [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football|Notre Dame]] (2007–2009)
| draftyear   = 2010
| draftround  = 2
| draftpick   = 48
| pastteams   =
* [[Carolina Panthers]] ({{NFL Year|2010|2013}})
* [[Chicago Bears]] ({{NFL Year|2014|2015}})
* [[Baltimore Ravens]] ({{NFL Year|2015}})
| highlights  =
* Third-team [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[2009 College Football All-America Team|2009]])
| statlabel1  = Passing completions
| statvalue1  = 255
| statlabel2  = Passing attempts
| statvalue2  = 472
| statlabel3  = Percentage
| statvalue3  = 54.0%
| statlabel4  = [[Touchdown|TD]]–[[Interception|INT]]
| statvalue4  = 7–14
| statlabel5  = [[Passing yards]]
| statvalue5  = 2,520
| statlabel6  = [[Passer rating]]
| statvalue6  = 61.9
| pfr         = ClauJi00
}}

'''James Richard Clausen''' (born September 21, 1987) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] player who was a [[quarterback]] in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) from 2010 to 2015. He played [[college football]] for the [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football|Notre Dame Fighting Irish]] and was selected by the [[Carolina Panthers]] in the second round of the [[2010 NFL draft]].

After compiling a 1–9 record as the Panthers' starting quarterback during his rookie season, Clausen remained with the team for three more seasons without seeing any game action. He then spent parts of the 2014 and 2015 seasons as a backup for the [[Chicago Bears]] and the [[Baltimore Ravens]].

==Early life==
[[Image:Jimmy Clausen All-American (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|150px|Jimmy Clausen wins the 2006 [[U.S. Army Player of the Year Award|Hall Trophy]], January 2007<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lamance |first=Rich |date=2007-01-06 |title=Army All-Americans recognized |url=https://www.army.mil/article/1239/army_all_americans_recognized |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=U.S. Army |language=en}}</ref>]]
Clausen had an outstanding prep career at [[Oaks Christian School]] in [[Westlake Village, California]]. In 2006, he threw 49 touchdown passes for the season to lead the Lions to their first ever Division III [[California Interscholastic Federation|state]] title over Cardinal Newman High School (Santa Rosa, CA). Clausen never lost a football game he started in his prep career (42–0). He threw for 10,677 yards in his career at Oaks Christian.<ref name="FWNS070105">{{cite news| first =Pete| last =DiPrimio| title =Notre Dame future starts with new quarterback| url =http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/sports/16390634.htm| work =Fort Wayne News-Sentinel| date =January 5, 2007| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070127062633/http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/sports/16390634.htm| archive-date =January 27, 2007| url-status =dead| df =mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jimmy Clausen |url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/clausen_jimmy00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227095515/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/clausen_jimmy00.html |archive-date=February 27, 2009 |access-date=September 2, 2007 |website=Notre Dame Fighting Irish Athletics}}</ref> As a senior, Clausen won the 2006 [[U.S. Army Player of the Year Award|Hall Trophy]] for the nation's top high school football player and was also named "Offensive Player of the Year" by the ''[[USA Today]]''.<ref>{{cite news | title = All-USA players and coach of the year | url = https://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/football/2006-12-26-player-coach-of-the-year_x.htm | work = USA Today | date = January 12, 2007 }}</ref> Clausen was also named the Co Player of the Year, along with USC running back [[Joe McKnight]], by Parade Magazine.<ref>{{cite news | title = Clausen Parade Co-Player of the Year, Kamara Parada All American | url = http://www.uhnd.com/blog/2007/notre-dame-football/clausen-parade-co-player-of-the-year-kamara-parada-all-american/ | work = UHND.com | date = February 4, 2007 | access-date = August 1, 2007 | archive-date = September 27, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927210843/http://www.uhnd.com/blog/2007/notre-dame-football/clausen-parade-co-player-of-the-year-kamara-parada-all-american/ | url-status = dead }}</ref>

As the younger brother of two former [[NCAA Division I]] quarterbacks—[[Casey Clausen|Casey]] and [[Rick Clausen]], who both played at [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]]—Jimmy Clausen gained media attention very early. Beginning in eighth grade, his parents paid his tutelage under professional quarterbacks coach [[Steve Clarkson]].<ref>{{cite news | title = The high price of grooming kids for stardom | url = https://www.usatoday.com/sports/2002-07-26-acover-coaches_x.htm | work = USA Today | date = July 26, 2002 }}</ref> During his junior season, a ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' feature dubbed him "The Kid with The Golden Arm".<ref name="SI2005">{{cite magazine | first =Kelli | last = Anderson | title = The Kid with the Golden Arm | url = https://www.si.com/vault/2005/11/28/8362874/the-kid-with-the-golden-arm | magazine = Sports Illustrated | date = November 28, 2005 }}</ref> Recruiting analysts considered him a "once in a decade" quarterback talent and ranked him as the #1 overall prospect of the 2007 high school class.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?ra_key=1475|title=Rivals.com|website=footballrecruiting.rivals.com}}</ref> Because of his quick release, some in the media compared him to [[Joe Namath]].<ref name="SI2005" />

Critics have questioned whether Clausen's success in high school was largely a product of his team—containing almost a dozen players that went on to play for [[NCAA]] [[Division I (NCAA)#Division I-Bowl Subdivision|Division I Bowl Subdivision]] teams, including a highly ranked [[running back]], [[Marc Tyler]]—and the inferior talent level of its opponents.<ref>{{cite news | first= Thayer | last=Evans | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/06/sports/ncaafootball/06clausen.html | title=For Record-Setting Recruit, Full-Throated Praise and Whispered Doubts | work=[[New York Times]] | date=January 6, 2007}}</ref> Many of these critics pointed to the 2007 [[U.S. Army All-American Bowl]] in which Clausen was outplayed by fellow 2007 quarterback recruit, [[Ryan Mallett]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Louie | last=Avery | url=http://www.texarkanagazette.com/articles/2007/01/07/local_news/sports/sports03.txt | title=Mallett Shines Against Nation's Best Players | work=Texarkana Gazette | date=January 7, 2007 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Further, Clausen's age is a subject of criticism: he started kindergarten at six and repeated sixth grade,<ref name="SI2005" /> thus he was 19 years old at the time of his early graduation.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/football/2006-08-23-clausen-westlake_x.htm | title=Clausen just one part of talented Westlake team that seeks another title |publisher=USA Today | date=August 25, 2006}}</ref>

On April 22, 2006, Clausen verbally committed to the University of Notre Dame.<ref>{{cite news | first=Tom | last=Friend | url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/news/story?id=2416943 | title=Third in prized Clausen clan to verbally commit to Irish | publisher=[[ESPN]] | date=April 21, 2006}}</ref> He was the most highly touted recruit for the Fighting Irish since the arrival of [[Ron Powlus]] in 1993.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.uhnd.com/articles/2006/recruiting/jimmy-clausen-commits-to-notre-dame/ | title = Jimmy Clausen Commits to Notre Dame | publisher = UHND.com | date = April 24, 2006 | access-date = August 3, 2007 | archive-date = September 27, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927210939/http://www.uhnd.com/articles/2006/recruiting/jimmy-clausen-commits-to-notre-dame/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> Clausen announced his verbal commitment at the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in [[South Bend, Indiana]], after arriving in a stretch [[Hummer]] limousine. He also said his goal was to win multiple [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|national titles]] with the Irish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collegefootball.org/news.php?id=844|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060501234857/http://collegefootball.org/news.php?id=844|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 1, 2006|title=College Football Hall of Fame -- News<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref>

===High school awards and honors===
*2006 [[U.S. Army Player of the Year Award|Hall Trophy]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bastropenterprise.com/sports/x1196580356/Randle-among-finalists-for-national-award|title=Randle among finalists for national award|access-date=December 14, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216042527/http://www.bastropenterprise.com/sports/x1196580356/Randle-among-finalists-for-national-award|archive-date=December 16, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*2006 ''[[USA Today]]'' Offensive Player of the Year<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/football/2006-12-26-player-coach-of-the-year_x.htm|title=All-USA players and coach of the year | work=USA Today | date=January 12, 2007 | access-date=May 6, 2010}}</ref>

==College career==
[[File:102007-JimmyClausen.jpg|thumb|Clausen in 2007]]
[[File:20090912 Jimmy Clausen.jpg|thumb|Clausen while playing quarterback at [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football|Notre Dame]], takes a snap against [[2009 Michigan Wolverines football team|Michigan]] in 2009]]
Clausen, who graduated from high school one semester early, enrolled at [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] on January 16, 2007.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/16479571.htm| title=Clausen enrolls at Notre Dame| publisher=Fort Wayne News-Sentinel| date=January 17, 2007}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In Notre Dame's only preseason practice open to the media, Clausen threw only a number of short passes, casting some doubt on the strength of his arm after off-season elbow surgery.<ref>{{cite news | first=Vaugn | last=McClure | url=http://www.suntimes.com/sports/colleges/304274,CST-SPT-nd20.article | title=Arm injury clouds Clausen's spring status | publisher=Chicago Sun Times | date=March 20, 2007 | access-date=August 13, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819180410/http://www.suntimes.com/sports/colleges/304274,CST-SPT-nd20.article | archive-date=August 19, 2007 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Adam | last=Rittenberg | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2963932 | title=Weis using doubters as motivation for Irish | work=ESPN.com | date=August 6, 2007}}</ref>

Following Notre Dame's opening loss to Georgia Tech in the [[2007 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team|2007 season]], Clausen was named the starting quarterback,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3003938 | title=Clausen gets starting nod at QB against Penn State |work=ESPN.com | date=September 4, 2007}}</ref> but would win only one of his first six starts (against [[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA]]) and was replaced by backup quarterback [[Evan Sharpley]] during Notre Dame's loss to [[Boston College]] on October 13, 2007.  Citing non-specific injuries to Clausen (who had been sacked 23 times), head coach [[Charlie Weis]] named Sharpley as the starting quarterback for Notre Dame's game against [[University of Southern California|USC]] on October 20, 2007.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=ApaPAn6R2cin2qKwlnLW54K.1LYF?slug=ap-notredameqbs&prov=ap&type=lgns | title=Notre Dame to start Sharpley at QB vs. USC | publisher=Yahoo Sports | date=October 16, 2007 | access-date=April 19, 2014 | archive-date=June 29, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080629023638/http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Blaudschun | url=https://www.boston.com/sports/articles/2007/10/14/eagles_take_fight_out_of_irish/ |title=Eagles Take Fight Out of Irish |publisher=Boston Globe | date=October 14, 2007 | first1=Mark }}</ref> After sitting out Notre Dame's losses to USC and Navy, Clausen was again named the starter for their game against Air Force.<ref>{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Coyne |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=Agm4bcUidzUUyXaGC1O3..AcvrYF?slug=ap-notredameqbs&prov=ap&type=lgns |title=Weis: Clausen back as Notre Dame QB because of zip, accuracy |publisher=AP (Yahoo Sports) |date=November 8, 2007 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Clausen finished his freshman year having completed 56.3% of his passes for 1,254 yards, with 7 touchdowns (plus two rushing TDs) and 6 interceptions and a passing efficiency of 103.85, and he was sacked a team-record 34 times.<ref name="Stats">{{cite news |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/stats/bycategory?cat=Passing&conference=I-A_ia | title=NCAA Statistics by Category |publisher=Yahoo Sports | date=October 16, 2007}}</ref>

During his sophomore season, he completed 60.9% of his passes for 3172 yards, 25 touchdowns and 17 interceptions and a 132.5 efficiency rating which placed him as the 44th ranked quarterback in [[NCAA Division I|NCAA Division I FBS]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/teamcume.html |title=Notre Dame Cumulative Season Statistics |publisher=und.com |date=January 12, 2009 |access-date=January 22, 2009 |archive-date=October 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017132654/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/teamcume.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> He led the Fighting Irish to a 7–6 record, culminating in a 49–21 victory against [[2008 Hawaii Warriors football team|Hawaii]] in the [[2008 Hawaii Bowl|Hawaii Bowl]]&nbsp;— which ended Notre Dame's NCAA-record nine-game bowl losing streak. Clausen set Notre Dame bowl records with 406 yards passing and five touchdowns and was named the bowl's co-MVP.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/122508aac.html |title=Irish Dominate All Phases En Route To Hawai'i Bowl Win |publisher=und.com |date=December 24, 2008 |access-date=January 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227234638/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/122508aac.html |archive-date=December 27, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In his junior season, Clausen was named midseason All-American by ''[[Sporting News]]''.<ref name="TSNmidseasonAll-Americans">{{Citation |date=October 20, 2009 |title=SN's midseason All-Americans: Offense |newspaper=Sporting News |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/college-football/article/2009-10-20/sns-midseason-all-americans-offense |access-date=October 23, 2009 |archive-date=October 24, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091024072253/http://www.sportingnews.com/college-football/article/2009-10-20/sns-midseason-all-americans-offense |url-status=dead }}</ref> He finished the season with 3,722 yards passing, a 68.8% completion rate, 161.42 passer rating, 28 touchdowns, and four interceptions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/13198/jimmy-clausen|title=Jimmy Clausen|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

On Monday, December 7, 2009, Clausen declared that he would forgo his senior season at Notre Dame and enter the [[NFL draft]] following news of the firing of head coach Charlie Weis.<ref name = "ClausenToEnterNFLDraft">{{Citation | date = December 7, 2009| title = Clause to Enter NFL Draft| url = https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=4721703}}</ref>

Clausen returned to Notre Dame during the 2011 off-season to finish his degree in sociology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/12/29/1942432/clausen-not-worried-whether-luck.html|title=Clausen not worried whether Luck will be on his side - CharlotteObserver.com & The Charlotte Observer Newspaper<!-- Bot generated title -->|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428072618/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/12/29/1942432/clausen-not-worried-whether-luck.html|archive-date=April 28, 2011}}</ref>

===College statistics===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! colspan="16" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Notre Dame Fighting Irish football}}"| Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|-
! rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="8"| Passing
! colspan="4"| Rushing
|-
! {{abbr|Cmp|Passes completed}} !! {{abbr|Att|Passes attempted}} !! {{abbr|Pct|Completion percentage}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Passing yards}} !! {{abbr|Y/A|Yards per passing attempt}} !! {{abbr|TD|Passing touchdowns}} !! {{abbr|Int|Interceptions}} !! {{abbr|Rtg|Passer rating}} !! {{abbr|Att|Rushing attempts}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} !! {{abbr|Avg|Yards per rushing attempt}} !! {{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}}
|-
! [[2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2007]] !! [[2007 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team|Notre Dame]]
| 138 || 245 || 56.3 || 1,254 || 5.1 || 7 || 6 || 103.9 || 62 || −187 || −3.0 || 2
|-
! [[2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2008]] !! [[2008 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team|Notre Dame]]
| 268 || 440 || 60.9 || 3,172 || 7.2 || 25 || 17 || 132.5 || 54 || −73 || −1.4 || 0
|-
! [[2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2009]] !! [[2009 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team|Notre Dame]]
| 289 || 425 || 68.0 || 3,722 || 8.8 || 28 || 4 || 161.4 || 59 || −95 || −1.6 || 3
|-
! colspan="2"| Career<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jimmy-clausen-1.html | title=Jimmy Clausen | publisher=Sports Reference LLC | work=sports-reference.com | access-date=September 6, 2016}}</ref> || 695 || 1,110 || 62.6 || 8,148 || 7.3 || 60 || 27 || 137.2 || 175 || −355 || −2.0 || 5
|}

===College awards and honors===
* 2008 [[Hawaii Bowl]] Co-MVP with [[Golden Tate]]
* 2009 Second-team All-America (CBS Sportsline)

==Professional career==
===Pre-draft===
Clausen announced his intention to enter the [[2010 NFL draft]] on December 7, 2009.<ref name="Friend ESPN Draft">{{Citation |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=4721703 |title=Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen decides to enter draft |work=ESPN |last=Friend |first=Tom |date=December 7, 2009 }}</ref> Clausen was expected to be one of the top quarterbacks available in the draft, along with former [[Heisman Trophy]] winner [[Sam Bradford]]. He was projected by many to be a Top-10 pick. Surprisingly, however, he was not selected in the first round of the draft, with Bradford and [[Florida Gators football|Florida]]'s [[Tim Tebow]] selected ahead of him.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rams take Bradford with No. 1 pick, hope he's their franchise QB |url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d817b4f66&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true |work=NFL.com |publisher=National Football League |date=April 22, 2010 |access-date=April 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425001114/http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d817b4f66&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true |archive-date=April 25, 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Broncos deal three draft picks to move up, take Tebow in first round |url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d817b68d8&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true |work=NFL.com |publisher=National Football League |date=April 22, 2010 |access-date=April 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425001120/http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d817b68d8&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true |archive-date=April 25, 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

{{NFL predraft
|    height ft = 6
|    height in = 2 5/8
|       weight = 222
|     arm span = 30 3/4
|    hand span = 9
|    wonderlic = 23
|         note = All values from [[NFL Combine]]<ref>{{Citation |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jimmy-clausen/3200434c-4170-9185-8e1d-241e64290402 |title=Jimmy Clausen Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |work=NFL.com |access-date=February 27, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=69361&DraftYear=2010 |title=2010 Draft Scout Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |access-date=February 2, 2023 |website=draftscout.com}}</ref>
}}

===Carolina Panthers===
Clausen was selected by the [[Carolina Panthers]] with the 16th pick of the 2nd round (48th overall).<ref>{{Cite web |title=2010 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2010/draft.htm |access-date=May 13, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Analysts attributed his slide to his cocky demeanor and "persnickety smirkness."<ref name="Freeman CBS">{{Citation|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/13284154/talented-clausen-can-thank-smirk-for-drastic-draft-fall |title=Talented Clausen can thank smirk for drastic draft fall |date=April 23, 2010 |work=CBS Sports |first=Mike |last=Freeman |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014214140/http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/13284154/talented-clausen-can-thank-smirk-for-drastic-draft-fall |archive-date=October 14, 2012 }}.</ref> On July 28, 2010, he signed a four-year, $4.2 million contract with the Panthers, which includes $2.53 million in guarantees.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5416258|title=Clausen, Panthers agree on four-year contract|date=July 28, 2010|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
Clausen made his NFL debut in a loss against the [[New York Giants]] in the 2010 season opener, after starting quarterback [[Matt Moore (American football)|Matt Moore]] was sidelined with a concussion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.charlotte.com/panthers/2010/09/moore-taken-to-hospital-after-late-hit.html|title=Inside the Panthers: Moore taken to hospital after late hit|website=blogs.charlotte.com|access-date=September 16, 2010|archive-date=July 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724055546/http://blogs.charlotte.com/panthers/2010/09/moore-taken-to-hospital-after-late-hit.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> After poor play by Matt Moore in a week 2 matchup against the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers|Buccaneers]], Clausen took over late in the game. He completed 7 of 13 passes for 59 yards and an interception and one fumbled snap, and led a 17-play drive that was stopped inside the 5-yard line.<ref name="nfl.com">http://www.nfl.com/players/JimmyClausen/gamelogs?id=CLA709185 NFL.com Jimmy Clausen gamelogs</ref> The following week, Clausen started his first NFL game against the [[Cincinnati Bengals|Bengals]], completing 16 of 33 passes for 188 yards and an interception and three fumbled snaps, losing two.<ref name="nfl.com"/> During the game TV cameras caught wide receiver [[Steve Smith Sr.|Steve Smith]] walking over to Clausen, who was talking with an assistant coach, and screaming at the rookie. Smith walked away, but returned and said something else before being escorted away by tight end [[Jeff King (American football)|Jeff King]]. At that point, Smith threw down a cup of [[Gatorade]]. The incident was later downplayed by Smith.<ref>[https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iNcYi5Dlzom0ChoBNTqa51ahzBCQD9IHSBOG0?docId=D9IHSBOG0 Associated Press]{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Retrieved October 1, 2010</ref> It was the second time there had been communication issues between Smith and Clausen. On May 6, 2010, a report on the website "Pro Football Talk" stated that, "Steve Smith 'basically thinks Jimmy is a punk.'" The website later reported that Smith sent a text message to Clausen that the report was "B.S.".<ref>[http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/05/06/steve-smith-denies-referring-to-jimmy-clausen-as-a-punk/ Pro Football Talk.com] Retrieved October 1, 2010</ref><ref>[http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/05/06/despite-rave-reviews-jimmy-clausen-has-a-long-way-to-go-to-unseat-matt-moore/ Pro Football Talk.com] Retrieved October 1, 2010</ref> In Clausen's 2nd NFL start (a week 4 match-up against the [[New Orleans Saints]]), Clausen went 11 of 21 for 146 yards and completed his 1st NFL touchdown pass to RB [[Jonathan Stewart]].

After just three NFL starts and being pulled in week 5, Clausen was benched after completing 47 percent of his passes with one touchdown and three interceptions. Clausen also fumbled seven times, losing two, and had a 52.2 passer rating. Clausen finished the 2010 season with 157 completions out of 299 attempts (52.5%), 1,558 yards with 3 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He was sacked 33 times and fumbled 9 times, losing two.<ref>Yasinkas, Pat. (October 18, 2010) "Panthers to start Matt Moore again"[https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5699614] ESPN.com Retrieved October 18, 2010.</ref>

In 2011, the Panthers used their number one overall draft pick to select [[Cam Newton]] of Auburn. After a four-game preseason competition, Panthers coaches decided that Newton would be named the starter for the [[2011 NFL season]]. Clausen had no improvement over his 2010 regular season performance in the 2011 preseason, finishing 24/46 passing (52.2%) and 260 yards and a 5.70 average with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions and was sacked 7 times in 53 dropbacks and had a quarterback rating of 58.2, similar to his 2010 regular season performance.  The Panthers also signed veteran QB [[Derek Anderson (American football)|Derek Anderson]] to the team.  Clausen was then demoted to third string.

In the 2012 pre-season, Clausen was 19 for 37 (51.4%) 252 yards and two touchdowns and like 2011 never took the field in regular season play.
On August 31, 2013, the Panthers waived an injured Clausen.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jimmy-clausen-drayton-florence-released-by-panthers-0ap1000000236918|title=Jimmy Clausen, Drayton Florence released by Panthers|website=[[NFL.com]] }}</ref> He passed through waivers unclaimed, and ended up on the Panthers' [[injured reserve]] list.

===Chicago Bears===
[[File:Jimmy clausen bears.jpg|thumb|Clausen with the [[Chicago Bears|Bears]] in 2014]]
Clausen was signed by the [[Chicago Bears]] on June 5, 2014. During the preseason he competed with [[Jordan Palmer]] for the second string spot; Clausen eventually won the job.<ref>{{cite web|work=NFL.com|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/bears-sign-ex-carolina-panthers-qb-jimmy-clausen-0ap2000000356349|title=Bears sign ex-Panthers QB Jimmy Clausen|first=Marc|last=Sessler|date=June 5, 2014|access-date=June 5, 2014}}</ref>

On December 17, [[Marc Trestman]] announced that Clausen would take over the starting quarterback position from [[Jay Cutler]].<ref>{{cite web|work=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/12043769/chicago-bears-start-jimmy-clausen-jay-cutler-week|title=Bears giving Jimmy Clausen start|first=Michael|last=Wright|date=December 18, 2014|access-date=December 18, 2014}}</ref> Clausen completed 26 of 48 passes for 181 yards, two touchdowns, one interception and a 77 passer rating in a 20–14 loss to the [[Detroit Lions]]. During the game's fourth quarter, [[Ezekiel Ansah]] collided with Clausen in a helmet-to-helmet collision. Ansah was penalized and later fined, while Clausen was later diagnosed with a concussion. He relinquished his starting role to Cutler, who played in the Bears' season finale.<ref>{{cite news |last=Peters |first=Micah |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/12/bears-quarterback-jimmy-clausen-was-furious-after-brutal-helmet-to-helmet-hit |title=Bears quarterback Jimmy Clausen was furious after brutal helmet-to-helmet hit |work=[[USA Today]] |date=December 21, 2014 |access-date=December 30, 2014 }}</ref>

On March 6, 2015, Clausen re-signed on a one-year deal.<ref name="Clausen resigned">{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-sign-Clausen-to-one-year-deal/1bd724ef-f372-41a0-8e9d-ad509f478c8d|title=Bears sign Clausen to one-year deal|publisher=[[Chicago Bears]]|date=March 6, 2015|access-date=March 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308125613/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-sign-Clausen-to-one-year-deal/1bd724ef-f372-41a0-8e9d-ad509f478c8d|archive-date=March 8, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> He started the third game of the season against the [[Seattle Seahawks]], completing 9 of 17 passes for 63 yards, and including sacks, recorded 48 net passing yards, the second time since the 1990 season that the Bears had less than 50 net yards passing, as they lost 26–0.<ref name="Bears Seahawks recap">{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2015 |title=Lockett return ignites Seattle to 26-0 win over Chicago |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=400791626 |access-date=February 5, 2016 |website=[[ESPN.com]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

On November 23, 2015, he was waived.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Rich |date=2015-11-23 |title=Bears waive QB Jimmy Clausen, promote David Fales |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2015/11/23/bears-waive-qb-jimmy-clausen-promote-david-fales/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Baltimore Ravens ===
On November 24, 2015, Clausen was claimed off waivers by the [[Baltimore Ravens]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orr |first=Conor |date=November 24, 2015 |title=Jimmy Clausen claimed off waivers by Ravens |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jimmy-clausen-claimed-off-waivers-by-ravens-0ap3000000587342 |access-date=November 25, 2015 |website=NFL.com}}</ref>

On December 13, 2015, Clausen started against the Seattle Seahawks, replacing the injured [[Matt Schaub]], who was in turn replacing the injured [[Joe Flacco]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Patra|first1=Kevin|title=Jimmy Clausen to start for Ravens; Matt Schaub out|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000599509/article/jimmy-clausen-to-start-for-ravens-matt-schaub-out|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151214134510/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000599509/article/jimmy-clausen-to-start-for-ravens-matt-schaub-out|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 14, 2015|website=[[NFL.com]]|publisher=[[NFL]]|access-date=December 13, 2015}}</ref> Clausen completed 23 of 40 passes for 274 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in a 35–6 loss. He also started in a December 20 game against the [[Kansas City Chiefs]], in which he completed 26 of 45 passes for 281 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions, in the 34–14 loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/24023/|title=Jimmy Clausen - Baltimore Ravens - National Football League - Yahoo! Sports|website=Yahoo Sports}}</ref> Clausen was then benched for [[Ryan Mallett]], who led the Ravens to a 20–17 upset win over the rival [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] the following week.

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="8"| Passing
! colspan="4"| Rushing
|-
! {{abbr|GP|Games played}} !! {{abbr|GS|Games started}} !! {{abbr|Cmp|Passes completed}} !! {{abbr|Att|Passes attempted}} !! {{abbr|Pct|Completion percentage}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Passing yards}} !! {{abbr|Avg|Yards per passing attempt}} !! {{abbr|TD|Passing touchdowns}} !! {{abbr|Int|Interceptions}} !! {{abbr|Rtg|Passer rating}} !! {{abbr|Att|Rushing attempts}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} !! {{abbr|Avg|Yards per rushing attempt}} !! {{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}}
|-
! [[2010 NFL season|2010]] !! [[2010 Carolina Panthers season|CAR]]
| 13 || 10 || 157 || 299 || 52.5 || 1,558 || 5.2 || 3 || 9 || 58.4 || 23 || 57 || 2.5 || 0
|-
! [[2011 NFL season|2011]] !! [[2011 Carolina Panthers season|CAR]]
| 0 || 0 || rowspan="3" colspan="12"| {{abbr|DNP|Did not play}}
|-
! [[2012 NFL season|2012]] !! [[2012 Carolina Panthers season|CAR]]
| 0 || 0
|-
! [[2013 NFL season|2013]] !! [[2013 Carolina Panthers season|CAR]]
| 0 || 0
|-
! [[2014 NFL season|2014]] !! [[2014 Chicago Bears season|CHI]]
| 4 || 1 || 26 || 48 || 54.2 || 223 || 4.6 || 2 || 1 || 71.8 || 3 || 9 || 3.0 || 0
|-
! rowspan="2"|[[2015 NFL season|2015]] !! [[2015 Chicago Bears season|CHI]]
| 2 || 1 || 23 || 40 || 57.5 || 184 || 4.6 || 0 || 1 || 58.7 || 5 || 8 || 1.6 || 0
|-
! [[2015 Baltimore Ravens season|BAL]]
| 3 || 2 || 49 || 85 || 57.6 || 555 || 6.5 || 2 || 3 || 70.5 || 6 || 28 || 4.7 || 0
|-
! colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ClauJi00.htm Career] !! 22 !! 14 !! 255 !! 472 !! 54.0 !! 2,520 !! 5.4 !! 7 !! 14 !! 61.9 !! 37 !! 102 !! 2.8 !! 0
|}

==Legal trouble==
On June 23, 2007, Clausen was cited for illegal transportation of alcohol in [[South Bend, Indiana]]. He was driving someone who was not of legal drinking age to a liquor store to buy alcohol. According to published reports, Clausen entered a pre-trial diversion program that erased the citation since he stayed out of trouble for the following 12 months.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.uhnd.com/blog/2007/notre-dame-football/sbt-clausen-cited-for-transporting-alcohol/ |title=SBT: Clausen Cited for Transporting Alcohol |work=UHND.com |date=August 17, 2007 |access-date=August 20, 2007 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927210829/http://www.uhnd.com/blog/2007/notre-dame-football/sbt-clausen-cited-for-transporting-alcohol/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On November 22, 2009, Clausen was involved in an altercation outside of a South Bend bar.  Sources indicate that Clausen was there with family and teammates following the team's senior day loss to Connecticut.  It was reported that upon his departure, Clausen was punched in the face outside of the pub.  A South Bend Police Department spokesperson stated that no police report was filed over that weekend involving Clausen.  Reports indicate that Clausen was left with a black eye, which was clearly visible in the broadcast of Notre Dame's next football game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schad |first=Joe |date=2009-11-24 |title=Source: Irish QB Clausen punched by irate fan |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=4684326 |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> A later report of this incident indicated that the other subject involved in this incident allegedly shoved Clausen's girlfriend.  It was reported that Clausen then shoved the subject away prior to Clausen being punched.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2009/11/report-girlfriend-pushed-jimmy-clausen-shoves-puncher-before-altercation.html |title=Report: Clausen pushed puncher before altercation |work=Chicago Breaking Sports |date=November 24, 2009 }}</ref>

==Personal life==
Clausen is married to former volleyball player [[Jessica Gysin]]. They married over Valentine's Day weekend in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-02-17 |title=Jimmy Clausen Marries Volleyball Star Over Valentine's Day Weekend |url=https://patch.com/illinois/lincolnpark/jimmy-clausen-marries-volleyball-star-over-valentines-day-weekend |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Lincoln Park, IL Patch |language=en}}</ref>

==Further reading==
*{{Citation |last=Fleming |first=David |date=April 19, 2010 |title=Jimmy Clausen's pursuit of the perfect throw |work=[[ESPN The Magazine]] |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft10/news/story?id=5064085 }}.

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150906084054/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/clausen_jimmy00.html Notre Dame Fighting Irish bio] 
*{{commons category-inline}}

{{Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback navbox}}
{{Carolina Panthers starting quarterback navbox}}
{{Chicago Bears starting quarterback navbox}}
{{Baltimore Ravens starting quarterback navbox}}
{{Rivals Junior of the Year}}
{{USA Today OPOY}}
{{Hall Trophy}}
{{Panthers2010DraftPicks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Clausen, Jimmy}}
[[Category:1987 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:Carolina Panthers players]]
[[Category:Chicago Bears players]]
[[Category:Baltimore Ravens players]]
[[Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Thousand Oaks, California]]
[[Category:Oaks Christian School alumni]]