Former players of the Pittsburgh Steelers as well as all other 31 teams often jump into the media world shortly after their retirements. It's a very common post-football goal that many have to stay involved in the game they love without putting their bodies on the line each and every week. One of the most outspoken and respected analysts since he retired after the 2014 season is ESPN's, Ryan Clark. The Super Bowl Champion was a key part of a dominant defense that played in the big game two times after he joined Pittsburgh in 2006.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety, Ryan Clark enjoys his time as a top NFL analyst for ESPN. Photo Credit: Allen Kee / ESPN Images
Clark keeps it real on air. He even had several negative words for Head Coach, Mike Tomlin early on in the 2022 season when the team was struggling to win football games. He has a great track record of keeping bias aside and analyzing the game from afar ever since becoming a member of the media.
Steelers Former Safety Gets Into It With Former First-Round Bust
The most recent little skirmish came in a Twitter feud with former first-round pick, Brady Quinn. The quarterback only lasted four seasons in the NFL and is on a long list of bad decisions by the Cleveland Browns when it comes to the signal-caller position. Clark and Quinn played against one another multiple times.
The issue surrounded top draft prospect, CJ Stroud. Quinn, according to his comments on the Pick Six Podcast, claims to have heard that Stroud committed to the Manning Passing Academy, but never went.
“I’ve been told that he committed to [the Manning Passing Academy] the night before. Just kind of ghosted them, didn’t show up,” Quinn said.
Former Ohio State quarterback, CJ Stroud (#7) instructs a receiver to get on during a college football game. | Photo Credit: Kyle Robertson/ Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Quinn continued, calling Stroud out essentially for his character.
“That’s football royalty. And when you do that, that’s going to set off some alarms for people like, ‘Hey, man, that’s not how you conduct yourself, especially around the Manning family, or just in general if you’re going to be a franchise quarterback.’”
Clark fired back at Quinn, protecting Stroud, with a tweet.
CJ Stroud never committed to attend the Manning camp.
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) April 20, 2023
He chose to work with his teammates at @OhioStateFB instead before his final season.
He wasn’t paid to go, & furthermore @Brady_Quinn what does acquiescing to the Manning family have to do with leading an organization?
Clark was not done going after Quinn. He quoted his own tweet shown above and destroyed Quinn and his football integrity.
This is an example of analyst like @Brady_Quinn telling stories of 0 value to diminish a man’s character while validating his own. Instead of dissecting film, or speaking to coaches an adult man stooped to gossip while analyzing. It’s an immature evaluation of football integrity https://t.co/3ijng1787q
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) April 20, 2023
Photo Credit: Amy Sancetta / AP
It didn't stop there as Quinn took a shot at Clark and called him out as an analyst. NFL fans everywhere had their popcorn out watching the former on-field rivals go at it on the internet.
This is also an example of an analyst not doing his homework ⬆️. There was no shot taken at his character & clearly you don’t know me, my work ethic or integrity. Maybe do the work and listen to the podcast before you start making claims.
— Brady Quinn (@Brady_Quinn) April 20, 2023
Clark didn't directly respond on social media to that comment, but Quinn sent out an open invitation for the former safety to join his podcast in order to have an open discussion on the matter. Clark declined the podcast invite and said that enough information regarding Stroud was not given on the podcast and he continued to defend the leadership abilities of the future first-round selection.
Clark's tweet late on Thursday night, however, may hint at the fact that the two have no bad blood and this was a short-lived situation. It may have been resolved behind closers doors, so to speak.
Sometimes you just have to get on the phone, gain an understanding and move on… I’m moving on.
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) April 21, 2023
It was definitely a juicy Twitter feud for those who may have been bored on Thursday. Clark was protecting a young, potential star while Quinn seemed to take a shot at his character. Do you think Clark took it out of context or was Quinn wrong to jump to conclusions about Stroud's invite to the Manning Passing Academy?
Let us know in the comments below!
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