Ryan Clark isn’t softening his stance after ESPN’s latest layoffs.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers safety, who had been with the network since 2015, was among the long-time on-air personalities let go in ESPN’s most recent round of cuts. The move drew immediate backlash because Clark learned he was being fired while still on air.
Clark first responded publicly with a message of support for the people who were also let go. On X, he wrote:
“Sending prayers and love to all those laid off today by ESPN,” Clark writes. “So many of you have poured your life into that company, & I know how you’re feeling right now.
My hope is as this door closes another opens for you all. God bless!”
But on the latest episode of The Pivot, Clark took a much sharper tone when talking about his former employer. He described the decision as something that felt like a dictatorship.
“This was a dictatorship,” Clark said. “A person or a group of persons - a very small group - they didn’t poll the majority. They didn’t ask that question.”
Clark also said he believed the people who made the call were driven by personal dislike.
“Even though you told me just how important he was, I don’t care,’” Clark said in terms of the mindset of those who fired him. “I don’t care.
I know how important you think he is. You work with him every day.
I don’t care how important you think he is. I don’t like him.”
What comes next for Clark is still unclear, but the expectation is that he’ll land somewhere else before long.
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