Jimmy Clausen
A highly-touted college quarterback whose promising start at Notre Dame never fully translated into success during a journeyman NFL career.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American football player·Birthday: September 21·Millennials
Biography
Jimmy Clausen arrived at Notre Dame with more fanfare than most, announcing his commitment at the College Football Hall of Fame. He was the crown jewel of a recruiting class, expected to revive the Fighting Irish program. His college career was statistically solid, leaving as one of the school's most prolific passers, but it was marked by team struggles and a notable loss of playing time his senior year. Drafted in the second round by the Carolina Panthers in 2010, he was handed the starting job as a rookie on a weak team, a baptism by fire that resulted in a dismal winless record. That difficult beginning seemed to stall his professional trajectory. He became a backup, spending time with four teams over six seasons, most notably filling in for an injured Jay Cutler in Chicago. His story is a classic NFL tale of the difficult transition from college stardom to the professional grind, where early expectations can be a heavy burden.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jimmy was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jimmy Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Jimmy's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Started 10 games as a rookie quarterback for the Carolina Panthers in the 2010 NFL season.
- Threw for over 8,000 yards and 60 touchdowns during his collegiate career at the University of Notre Dame.
- Was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round (48th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.
- Appeared in games for four different NFL teams: the Panthers, Bears, Ravens, and Colts.
Did You Know?
He started his first game for Notre Dame as a true freshman, a rare occurrence for a quarterback at the program.
His older brothers, Casey and Rick, also played college football at the University of Tennessee.
He was a high school All-American at Oaks Christian School in California, where his teammates included NFL receiver Marc Tyler.
“I was prepared for the moment, but sometimes the moment isn't prepared for you.”
