In the latest NFL drama that has everyone talking, former safety Ryan Clark has found himself clashing with one of the game’s all-time greats—and MFT’s personal favorite player/person—Aaron Rodgers. Known for never shying away from controversy, Clark recently called Rodgers a “fraud” and a “hypocrite” over the quarterback’s comments on vaccine status (lol) and media appearances, particularly his criticism of ESPN while still regularly appearing on the network’s shows, like The Pat McAfee Show. The verbal sparring between the two has only escalated since. But before we pick a side, let’s take a closer look at whether Clark even has a leg to stand on.
Clark’s career started with adversity, going undrafted in 2002 despite a standout college career at LSU. After bouncing between the Giants and Redskins, he found his footing in Pittsburgh, where he became a key player on the Steelers’ dominant defense. Known for his aggressive play and leadership, Clark helped lead the team to a Super Bowl victory in 2008. His toughness and football IQ made him a force on the field, racking up 16 interceptions, over 900 tackles, and 55 pass breakups over 13 seasons. Retiring in 2014, Clark transitioned to the media, joining ESPN as an analyst in 2015. With his straight-shooting commentary, he quickly made a name for himself within the media. He later co-founded The Pivot Podcast, where he continues to speak his mind, unafraid of backlash or controversy.
At the end of the day, the journalist game is all about staying relevant and grabbing those clicks—and I get it. Clark needs to throw Aaron Rodgers’ name around to boost his profile, and he’s getting exactly what he wanted: the spotlight. But let’s be real—once the hype dies down and the dust settles, we likely won’t hear much from Clark until the next time he decides to take shots at an all-time great. So, while he’s soaking up his fleeting 15 minutes of fame, I’ll go ahead and give him his flowers now. He’s earned them—for today. Tomorrow, though? Well, we’ll see if he can stay in the conversation without needing to tear down legends to stay relevant.