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Reports surfaced Monday evening that Clark would be let go as part of layoffs at the Disney-owned sports network, and that played into the decision to tell him while the program was going on. <\/p>\n
The Athletic report noted that the network had been receiving requests for comment regarding reports about Clark being laid off, and a source told the outlet that ESPN was concerned it would break before they could inform him. <\/p>\n
Originally, ESPN planned on notifying Clark about the decision Tuesday morning. <\/p>\n
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 18: Ryan Clark was fired from ESPNSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Clark had been on multiple ESPN programs on Monday, including a hit on \u201cSportsCenter,\u201d which was promoted on the show\u2019s social media channel, as well as \u201cNFL Live.\u201d <\/p>\n
The ex-NFL player did not appear on the full show on Monday, and during his final segment, Clark was discussing Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels using virtual reality to help his offseason training. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe one thing I remember was when he transferred from Arizona State to LSU, he started using virtual reality here,\u201d Clark said. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd people said that was a big part of him being able to process more quickly and get the football out of his hands. \u2026 I think this is something that he\u2019s comfortable with, but he\u2019s also acknowledging that he has to get better.\u201d <\/p>\n
ESPN has not publicly commented on the decision to lay off Clark, who was reportedly making over $2 million per year at the network. <\/p>\n
Clark has been with ESPN for more than a decade, but it would appear that execs at the Worldwide Leader have become less thrilled with him, with one sticking point being an incident between himself and Peter Schrager that happened last season. <\/p>\n
During the segment, Clark and Schrager were speaking about performances of star receivers AJ Brown and CeeDee Lamb following the Philadelphia Eagles\u2019 24-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 of the NFL regular season.<\/p>\n
Schrager had just finished making a case that Lamb, who had seven receptions for 110 yards in the loss, should be feeling better about his performance than Brown, who had one reception for eight yards in the Eagles win.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe shouldn\u2019t do this on TV, so I apologize if people think this is rude: That\u2019s the non-player in you,\u201d Clark said while pointing at Schrager. The former Pittsburgh Steeler was implying that because Schrager wasn\u2019t a former NFL player, he didn\u2019t understand that the team\u2019s result is more important than individual performances.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, stop!\u201d Schrager replied. \u201cDon\u2019t belittle me like that. I can come and say, as three ex-players are saying one thing, and give an alternative perspective that maybe CeeDee Lamb did play well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I need for you to do, what I need for you to do, is not get mad and let me finish for once. It wasn\u2019t about you,\u201d Clark said.<\/p>\n
This exchange went viral, and people were upset that Clark tried to discredit Schrager\u2019s credentials to speak on this situation, as if the only people with opinions that mattered were those who had been on the field themselves.<\/p>\n
Clark apologized for what he said with an X post later that day, writing, \u201cToday, I had an interaction with my colleague @PSchrags both on and off the air that I regret. I have apologized to Peter and taken accountability with ESPN leadership. I value working with Peter and look forward to this season. My focus will remain on professionalism, teamwork, and being a better teammate moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n