Tag Archives: Ryan Clark

Ryan Clark

Ryan Clark Announces Retirement

Leave a reply

Former Steelers Safety Ryan Clark announced his retirement yesterday on ESPN. Clark returned to Washington as a free agent last season after the Steelers declined to make him an offer.

During Clark’s 8 years with the Steelers, he started in 109 games, totaling 656 tackles and 12 interceptions. Clark will hold a press conference in Pittsburgh next month to announce his retirement with the Steelers. “That’s where I made my career, that’s where I became who I am,” he said on Wednesday. The veteran safety will continue working at ESPN full time.

https://twitter.com/Realrclark25/status/568429827478441984

Thanks for the hard hits and memories, 25. Your weird socks will be missed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z13P_wzwSE

ryan-clark-steelers

[Video] Ryan Clark Says Emotional Goodbye To Steeler Nation

Leave a reply

Former Steelers safety Ryan Clark gave a heartfelt farewell to Steelers fans last night on Pittsburgh’s KDKA, calling Pittsburgh “one of the best organizations in sports.”

Clark was with the Steelers for the last eight years before signing with the Washington Redskins in March. During the interview with Bob Pompeani, Clark fought back tears while talking about the friends he misses in Pittsburgh. “I think the most important things are just my friends. Ike, Troy, and Will Gay, they’re my brothers man, and I think that’s the hard part about this game, because I don’t want people here to think that I’m not excited about it, because I really am,” Clark said about his new opportunity in Washington. He continued, “But, when I was sick, they came to the hospital, Troy cried with me. But, that’s the things I’ll miss, that’s the things I’ll remember. I’m just grateful to God that he let me be there”

Clark, who was always known as a fierce hitter, said that the hit he remembers most took place in New England in 2008. “My favorite [hit will] be Wes Welker until I’m gone from this Earth. The Patriots had this mystique about them, they still do, honestly. Wes Welker had this mystique about him, about being a scrappy, tough and whatever adjectives people always like to add to him. We just didn’t like those guys, we just didn’t, and it just felt so good, to hit him and it set a tone for us,” Clark said.

Here’s the obligatory youtube clip of that in case you forgot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E5c0uQEafs

Clark had nothing but nice things to say about the Steelers fanbase.

“Was the greatest years of my life as far as sports go, to be around such good people. People that embraced me and treated me the way they did. Man, it was just beautiful. I just thank them, I thank them all. The Rooney family, I’m just so appreciative they took a guy that nobody really wanted and they gave me a shot. To the fans, just amazing to go to places and like, take over stadiums. To be in San Diego where Terrible Towels overwhelmed anything they had. The Steelers are spoiled by the fans they have, it’s just awesome.

“I leave with knowing you guys are amazing fans in an amazing city and one of the best organizations in sports and I’m just grateful. A little kid from Louisiana, that no one wanted to draft, got to come in and be a part of something so great.”

You can watch the majority of the interview below.

[xyz-ihs snippet=”RyanClarkFarewell”]

Ryan Clark

Antonio Brown And Ryan Clark: An Off-Season Drama

Leave a reply

Antonio Brown didn’t like what Ryan Clark has said about the team in recent months, and Ryan Clark didn’t like that Antonio Brown didn’t like it. In an interview with Tribune reporter Alan Robinson, the Steelers wide receiver shared some of his thoughts on Clark’s recent musings in the media.

“When you see things like that, it shows you how guys feel when they’re not part of the team anymore,” Brown said regarding some of Clark’s comments. “It’s a form of bitterness or taking a shot at the team because you’re not there anymore.” Brown went on to say that comments like Clark’s show a lack of recent camaraderie that the team needs to improve on. Mainly, Brown is referring to Clark’s openness about his teammates using marijuana.

“When you see people taking shots who were on the same team and wearing the same jerseys, that’s a sign of not having that team camaraderie. That’s something we need to get back, something we haven’t had for the past two years.” Brown went on to say that Clark’s behavior likely stems from his affiliation with ESPN. “He’s getting into his career as a reporter and trying to get those things in the works,” Brown told the Trib. “I don’t think he meant any harm taking those shots to players as individuals, I just think he was trying to make pointers and make himself sound smart on ESPN.”

Well, it didn’t take long for Ryan Clark to respond to Brown’s statements. Shortly after the article was published, and the somewhat sensational headline grew legs on social media channels, Clark took to Twitter to share his opinion.

 

At first, Clark doesn’t seem bothered by Brown’s feelings, but in the span of a few minutes, his tone changes rather drastically. Clark isn’t new to sharing his candid feelings on Twitter. The former Steelers safety recently returned to Twitter after deleting his account last year, due to his sometimes blunt opinions not sitting well with certain fans.

After spending a couple months on the free agent market, Clark signed a one year deal with the Washington Redskins last month. Before signing with the Redskins, many people speculated that he was not going to return to playing football, but rather take on a full time analyst gig.

What do you think? Is Antonio Brown right? Are Clark’s opinions due to bitterness, or are they just said in effort to get attention on ESPN?

Ryan_Clark

Ryan Clark Signs One Year Deal With Redskins

Leave a reply

Former Steelers safety Ryan Clark has signed with the Washington Redskins, according to ESPN.

The former LSU safety was signed by the Giants as an UDFA in 2002, and played with the Redskins for two seasons before becoming a Pittsburgh Steeler. The hard hitting veteran safety has 827 tackles, 15 interceptions, five forced fumbles and 3.5 sacks over his 12 year career.

Clark had a meeting with the Redskins a few weeks ago, and just returned from a visit with the Seahawks last week. The Jets, Ravens, and Panthers were among other teams who expressed interest in him. I would assume that Clark will try to wear #21 with the Redskins, in honor of Sean Taylor.

The outspoken defensive back will surely be missed, and his monster hits on opponents were the things of legend. Thanks for the memories, #25.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E5c0uQEafs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZSIXCdBd6o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbDS5WKhdwM
Thanks for stopping by, and as always, be sure to share with your friends.

Ryan Clark Had A Visit With The Seahawks

Leave a reply

The National Football Post reports that Ryan Clark had a visit with the Seattle Seahawks. Clark confirmed the news on his Twitter account.


Clark met with the Panthers, and was said to be in negotiations with the Redskins a couple weeks ago, but a deal never materialized. Other teams, including the Ravens and Jets, were rumored to be interested.

The Seahawks wouldn’t be interested in Clark as a starter, and he has said in the past that he wouldn’t return to Pittsburgh in that role. Perhaps the stalemate of free agency is changing his priorities a bit.

Ryan Clark Still Negotiating With Redskins, Ravens Also Interested

Leave a reply

Ryan Clark, who recently left a visit with the Redskins without a contract, is reportedly still in negotiations with the team. According to USA Today writer Tom Pelissero, the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets are also interested in the free agent safety.

The Washington Post reports that Clark’s asking price is higher than what the Redskins want to pay. According to the Post, talks between Clark’s camp and the Redskins management have stalled. Clark says however that his agent and the Redskins are, in fact, still negotiating.

Ryan_Clark_25_huddling_2013

Ryan Clark Met With Panthers, No Word From Redskins

Leave a reply

According to Ryan Clark, he hasn’t had an offer from the Washington Redskins yet. With his history there, and the fact that they are in need of defensive backs, the signing would make sense.

The Charlotte Observer reports that the Panthers have recently had preliminary talks with Clark. Carolina has been courting safeties this week, and recently lost Pittsburgh’s newest safety to free agency. I’m sure Washington would be Clark’s first choice, but I can’t imagine a veteran in his position would be likely to decline any offer he receives. There was a rumor that the Redskins will be making an offer to him today, but that hasn’t apparently materialized.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to share with your friends.

Ryan Clark Thinks Delmas Would Be A Good Fit With The Steelers

Leave a reply

I reported earlier that the Steelers were hosting Safety Louis Delmas today. Soon to be free agent Ryan Clark said via his Twitter account that he has been texting with Delmas, and thinks he’d be a good fit for Dick LeBeau’s defense.

It’s tempting to read too much into Clark’s comments. Does Clark know he’s not returning in 2014? Either way, he’s showing what a class act he can be. Not many people will go out of their way to send well wishes to their potential replacement.

Sine Delmas was released by the Lions last week, he is free to sign with whatever club he chooses. He doesn’t have to wait until free agency begins.

Ryan Clark And Jerome Bettis Voice Opinions On Michael Sam

Leave a reply

If you haven’t heard by now, NFL draft prospect Michael Sam announced to the media today that he is gay. It goes without saying that this will be a vigorously discussed topic for the next few months leading up to the draft (and beyond). There is already plenty of debate about whether or not this will negatively effect his draft stock. Today on ESPN, both Jerome Bettis and Ryan Clark shared their opinions, and both were supportive.

Bettis said that he thinks 90-95 percent of NFL players will welcome Sam. “I think this is the perfect opportunity for the NFL to now make this a point to communicate to every NFL team now you have to understand, now you have to bring these players to this moment,” Bettis said on SportsCenter. Adding, “For him to make it public that he is gay, the key word is he knows who he is and he’s comfortable with who he is. I think that sends the message that it is OK and I think that’s what everyone needs to take from that. It is OK that he is gay and wants to play football in the NFL.”

Lastly, the former Steelers running back said, “You’re always going to have one or two guys that feel strongly in a different capacity but that’s going to be in any situation you deal with. You understand that and hope those players allow him to be in that locker room and give him the respect he deserves being in the locker room.”

Steelers Safety Ryan Clark expressed optimism, and concerns about the situation. “If he’s willing to put his hand in the pile and be a part of the solution to winning a championship and winning football games, then guys will accept him,” said Clark. “The one thing we know about NFL locker rooms and NFL teams is it’s the ultimate team sport and you want that camaraderie, you want that chemistry,” Clark told ESPN via telephone. “I think before he steps into a locker room people will talk to leaders in the locker room, leaders on their team to see how do they plan to accept him as a teammate.”

“This is the thing people have to understand about NFL locker rooms: It’s a lot of ornery veterans,” Clark said. “There’s a lot of veterans that don’t like talking to rookies. There’s a lot of veterans that don’t really mingle with guys coming in playing their positions or guys they feel like haven’t earned their spots. So we’ve had situations where there are veterans that don’t talk to the young guys or that don’t necessarily accept them until they’ve proven themselves in certain ways.”

Clark went on to say that he thinks people will need to be careful to not judge guys who don’t come out openly supporting Sam, as opposing him. “For a lot of guys it’s going to take some time to get used to that has never been through this situation. For us, it’s about being patient with the whole process and allowing the guy to play football.”

Here’s my take: Sam was in an awkward place before this announcement. He’s a good pass rusher, but he isn’t very easy to find a place for on a NFL team. He’s essentially a 4-3 DE who’s predominately a third down pass rush specialist. You’re going to hear lots of people asking if the Steelers will or should draft him. The easy answer is- probably not, and it has nothing to do with who he kisses goodnight. He doesn’t have the size to be a 3-4 DE, and I don’t believe he is likely a good candidate to convert to OLB due to mechanics.

Ryan Clark: “I Know Guys On My Team Who Smoke”

Leave a reply

Steelers Safety Ryan Clark was on ESPN’s First Take earlier today talking about NFL and marijuana usage. After a bit of discussion about Antonio Cromartie’s recent comments on marijuana in the NFL, Ryan Clark opened up (arguably too much so) about his thoughts on the matter.

“I know guys on my team who smoke,” Clark said. “And it’s not a situation where you think, ‘Oh, these are guys trying to be cool.’ These are guys who want to do it recreationally. He went on to say, “A lot of it is stress relief. A lot of it is pain and medication. Guys feel like, ‘If I can do this, it keeps me away from maybe Vicodin, it keeps me away from pain prescription drugs and things that guys get addicted to.’

Guys look at this as a more natural way to heal themselves, to stress relieve and also to medicate themselves for pain. Guys are still going to do it.”

Clark went on to agree with Cromartie, “It’s 100 percent true. They’re fighting a losing battle. The testing isn’t stringent,” Clark said. “There is one random test during OTAs and minicamps during the offseason, and everybody will be tested early in training camp. After that, there are no more tests. So guys understand the ways to get around failing a drug test.”

Personally, I think Ryan is entitled to his opinion, and will have a long career on ESPN. However, I think he’s violating a code of sorts by speaking about his teammates and the locker room on national TV. What do you think?