Something of a MIA culpa from Ryan Clark.
The former NFL safety and current ESPN talking head maybe did a bit too much talking recently, when he criticized Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for his offseason workout regimen. That peeved the passer, who succinctly told Clark to keep his name out of his mouth.
Well, as it goes on TV sometimes, Clark decided to walk back his comments a bit. In a video posted to social media on Thursday, Clark explained that he may have crossed a line and and apologized to Tagovailoa for his comments.
When I decided to do TV I had 2 main priorities.
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) August 24, 2023
1. Respect all NFL players, coaches, executives and staff members.
2. Earn and keep the respect of those very same people.
Those priorities are important to me, and when I miss that mark, I have to hold myself accountable.… pic.twitter.com/YgZfcNPN8G
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Some of Clark's comments:
Yesterday, Tua Tagovailoa had to answer questions about something I said on Monday — something that I truly just felt like, was a joke to me. But I realized as the week as gone on, that this man has to answer questions about it. If so many Miami Dolphins fans are offended by it, then people ain't taking it as a joke.
So let me be very clear: If I've offended you, Tua, if I hurt you, if I disrespected you, if anybody that supports and loves you feels some sort of way because of what I say, I truly apologize. …
Now, don't get me wrong, my ego was involved. When Tua was asked about how he felt about these comments, and he said 'Keep my name out your mouth,' yeah, my first thought is, 'Or what?' Or he said he's 'scrappy,' I thought to myself, I fed my family on violence. I ain't tripping on that. But, that's the pride that doesn't enable me to see what this dude's going through. …
So, to the Miami Dolphins, to head coach Mike McDaniel, who I have a ton of respect for, but most of all, to Tua Tagovailoa and his family, I deeply apologize. I've reached out, I hope to talk to you soon, brother. But just know, I wasn't questioning the way you work, I wasn't questioning how much it mattered to you, it was, what I can consider now, a bad joke. But for me, it's been a lesson. I'll be better. Thank you.
Clark's apology is a refreshing bit of accountability that seems to be lost among the hot-take world of sports talk and debate shows on certain networks now.
Tagovailoa has yet to respond to Clark's apology, but if his spicy response on Monday is any indication, it may be a minute before Clark gets the acknowledgment.
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The former NFL safety has been with ESPN since 2015, where he's worked his way into different NFL and debate show programming, including "NFL Live" and "First Take." He spent the majority of his 12-year career with the Steelers, though he also played snaps for the Giants and Washington.
The Dolphins quarterback is heading into a crucial season after dealing with devastating concussion issues in 2022 that saw him miss time, including the Dolphins' playoff game vs. the Bills.
So, unfortunately, the Ryan Clark vs. Tua Tagovailoa street fight won't be on the Musk vs. Zuckerberg undercard. Adjust accordingly.