Editing Bobby Clarke (section)

== Flyers Foundation ==

Robert Earle Clarke was born on August 13, 1949, in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada, his diabetes diagnosis during adolescence threatening to derail a promising hockey career before it began. The Flyers, in only their second year of existence, selected him in the 1969 draft despite concerns about his condition, the franchise gambling that his abilities would outweigh health risks. The gamble proved spectacularly successful, Clarke becoming the foundation on which championship teams were built.<ref name="bernstein">{{cite book |last=Bernstein |first=Ross |title=The Philadelphia Flyers Encyclopedia |year=2004 |publisher=Temple University Press |location=Philadelphia}}</ref>

His playing style combined skill with physicality that reflected the franchise's identity. Clarke could score, pass, and compete at the highest levels while also engaging in the rough play that defined the Broad Street Bullies era. His willingness to do whatever winning required—clean plays and questionable ones alike—established a template that Flyers teams have attempted to replicate ever since. The complete player he represented, combining multiple abilities rather than specializing, made him effective across all situations.<ref name="pluto"/>

His leadership, which included serving as team captain from 1973 to 1979, established expectations that permeated the franchise. Teammates followed his example because his performance earned respect that positional authority alone could not generate. The championship teams of 1974 and 1975 reflected his influence, their success emerging from the culture he had helped create as much as from individual talents the roster contained.<ref name="bernstein"/>