Getty ImagesSafety Ryan Clark made the move from Pittsburgh to Washington on a one-year contract as a free agent last offseason, but he won’t be spending any time looking for a new job once the new league year begins next month.
Clark announced his retirement during an appearance on ESPN on Wednesday, drawing the curtain on a 13-year career that didn’t seem to be in the offing when Clark showed up to his first training camp in 2002.
Clark was an undrafted free agent, but made the Giants and played in 22 games over his first two seasons before making his first stop with the Redskins. He spent two years in Washington and then landed with the Steelers in 2006 to begin his most memorable stretch as a professional player.
He started 109 regular season games for the Steelers and six more in the playoffs, including Super Bowls XLIII and XLV. He missed one other playoff game in Denver as a precaution because he suffers from sickle cell anemia, which caused him to fall ill during a 2007 trip to the city and forced him to have his spleen and gall bladder removed.
Clark’s been a frequent presence on ESPN over the last few years and a permanent transition to that side of the football world is likely in the cards now that he’s hung up the cleats.
Clark never played for My team, but I always wished he had. Dude could hit. I respected the way he played the game.
Super Bowl XL. The fix was in.
Kid was a gamer…
Finally – Farewell to one of the last NFL headhunters…
Good player, good guy. Ending your career on a one year deal in Washington is sad, sad way to go though. Couldn’t think of a more depressing ending. Good luck on your tv career.
About time you were average at best
He should have retired a year ago. A great warrior whose time in the arena has passed by.
Love the guy but he was awful this past season. He had lost more than a step. It’s reported that he already had signed a future espn contract so he will be making that move to broadcasting very soon.
One of the first players to be flagged for simply hitting too hard. That hit on Welker in 2008 makes Kam Chancellor look like a softy–something he is definitely not.
Though the steeler front 7 got all the talk, their secondary over the years was one of the best in the league. Polamalu is a hall of famer, and Clark and Ike Taylor played at exceptionally high levels. I’ve always said their defense the time they won their second Super Bowl was one of the top 2-3 defenses ever, and Ryan Clark had a huge hand in that. Laying recievers out any time they came his way.
Too bad…I really liked his NYE show from Times Square.
The classiest of the unclassy.
Based on his play I’d say he retired in 2012.
Clark hit every bit as hard as Ronnie Lott. What a beast. After so many violent collisions I’m surprised he’s as sharp as he is on TV.
Great career
Looking forward to his TV career
VERY underrated safety. I still remember in the time he nearly killed Willis McGahee in the 2008 AFC Championship Game. He and Polamalu owned Flacco his first 2-3 years and I hated when the Ravens faced him and Troy.
Signed,
A Ravens Fan
And behind every hit was his desire to let Sean Taylor live on through him. Probably should watch that Football Life show before calling him scum.
Ryan Clark was a true ‘Steeler’. Loved to hit hard and made a great contribution to our organization and the city of Pittsburgh. Ryan, our hats’ off to you and may you have a long life and much success in your new endeavors.
hes great behind the mic….hopefully he’ll replace that idiot ray lewis…or meshawn…or ditka…or holtz…or may….soooo many names…
terripet says: Feb 18, 2015 5:26 PM
About time you were average at best
Said the guy that could only hope to smell the inside of a division 1 locker room.
well i am a steelers fan and i still hate this guy for calling us potheads last offseason..
Made a nice career for himself. Lived the life.
13 years for an undrafted player! That is outstanding. He played hard
hit hard and I enjoyed his play. Not many players have accomplished what he did and seemingly left on his terms. I am
sure that we will see him on television. Not only did he play well he
also tells it like it is. Networks would be wise to sign him.
Congrats on an outstanding career!
I think he retired before last season, yet he managed to find an extra Redskins jersey and wear it on sundays.
Archbishop Shaw High School Graduate.
had a long productive career. i don’t hate for cashing one more snyder check before riding off into the sunset, you do what you gotta do to prepare for the long term head injuries kick in.
Did you notice, as I did, that the Whiners are still whining? It must be in the Seattle water.
He’s an awesome analyst. I’m sure the offers from the networks have been coming in for quite some time.
Tough to have to hang them up, but I always liked him on NFL Live. That’s where his future is.
Unspeakably bad in Wsh. Truly embarrassed himself. He wasn’t even in the frame on some of the passing TD’s they gave up last season. My GAWD he was awful.
One more ‘SNYDER CHECK’ – All former Pro-Bowlers should get theirs on the way out league!
The nicest pro athlete I’ve ever encountered. What a hitter. Man, was it ever fun watching him laying out WRs… And tight ends and running backs for that matter. Thanks for the memories #25!
Can’t wait till the Steelers come to Foxboro this year.
Maybe this time the World Champion Patriots will actually be trying so they can hang 90 on you clowns instead of only 55.
#uLostToTebowLolol
#urnothingwithoutPEDsOrRefs
Super Bowls the Steelers have won without PED cheating or paid off refs:
Congrats from a REDSKIN fan
What I’ll most remember about ryan clark is the hit that knocked Willis Mcgahee of the ravens out in the afc title game. Oh and course, the superbowl win he collected that year.
Thanks for the memories Ryan! Seeing you knockout McGahee is still my favorite