Donna Smellie-Clarke is the mom of MLB star Denzel Clarke who recently made one of the most jaw-dropping catches in baseball, find out more about her below
As Denzel continues to make headlines with his amazing catch, fans are curious to find out more about his personal life.
Who is heptathlete Donna Smellie-Clarke, mom of Denzel Clarke, bio, age, family, husband and children
Denzel Clarke went way up and over to make the catch! https://t.co/9pu5QJ3kN5 pic.twitter.com/HSylYOWJnK
— MLB (@MLB) June 10, 2025
"Having her in my corner all the time is a blessing."@Athletics CF Denzel Clarke on the unwavering support of his mom throughout his baseball journey. pic.twitter.com/J0creq8u2d
— A's Cast (@athleticscast24) May 30, 2025
While speaking about his catch, Clarke shared how he owes his athleticism to his mother, Donna Smellie-Clarke.
Denzel Leslie Clarke is a professional baseball player who was born on May 1, 2000, in Toronto, Canada. Clarke grew up in a sports-loving family, and he is part of a talented bloodline that includes his cousins—Bo, Josh, and Myles Naylor. All three of them are involved in professional baseball. Despite growing up in a hockey-centric country, Clarke found an early passion for baseball.
His mom, Donna Clarke, competed for Canada in the 1984 Olympics as a heptathlete (and once held the national record in the long jump), his uncle, Kevin Smellie, played for the Toronto Argonauts during their 1991 Grey Cup season, and his cousin Gavin Smellie was a two-time Olympian in the 100-metres.
Donna Smellie-Clarke biography and age
Donna Smellie-Clarke is a Canadian former athlete who mainly gained prominence during the 1980s. She was born and raised in Canada and first trained as a gymnast before switching to track and field during her late teens. By age of 19, Donna had already made the Canadian national team and her most notable moment came when she represented Canada at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as a heptathlete.
Although her DOB isn’t known, she is aged between 45-55 years.
Athletic career and achievements
Donna started as a gymnast in her teenage years, showcasing flexibility, strength, and grace. She then transitioned to track and field and found immediate success, earning a spot on Canada’s national team. She also competed on the world stage during the 1984 Olympics, where she set the Canadian record for the long jump. She now uses her experiences to coach track and field athletes from across Canada. Her athleticism and high standards have clearly impacted her son, Denzel, who has credited her for shaping his discipline and body control.
Husband
There are currently no public details available about Donna’s husband, as she prefers to keep her life private.
Children
Donna Smellie-Clarke is the proud mother of Denzel Clarke, who is an MLB center fielder for the Oakland Athletics. While Denzel started out playing baseball only at the age of 9, Donna kept him involved in various sports from an early age. Denzel competed in various sports, including long jump and various sprint events. Her guidance and commitment helped Denzel to lay the foundation for his incredible coordination, timing, and body control.
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