- Former Steelers safety Ryan Clark parlayed a 13-year NFL career into a growing media presence at ESPN and with The Pivot Podcast.
- Clark survived a life-changing sickle cell crisis in 2007 and won Super Bowl XLIII before transitioning to TV and podcasting.
- Known for blunt analysis, Clark has weathered public spats — including with Robert Griffin III — and later issued an apology after a tense on-air exchange.
- He plans to expand The Pivot into a broader media venture while continuing regular ESPN appearances.
From hospital room to Super Bowl and beyond
Ryan Clark’s path from undrafted LSU prospect to Super Bowl champion and national TV personality is part perseverance, part pivot. In October 2007 a severe sickle cell episode in Denver nearly cost him his life; a surgeon’s blunt decision to remove his spleen helped save him. Two years later he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII and eventually retired after a 13-year career in 2015.
Making the move to media
Clark has become a fixture on ESPN programs including First Take, NFL Live, SportsCenter and Monday Night Countdown. His on-air presence — a mix of football IQ, blunt takes and charisma — translated naturally to long-form interviews when he launched The Pivot Podcast in 2022 with cohosts Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder.
Interviewing with purpose
On The Pivot, Clark asks guests to name their “pivot moment,” a question meant to reveal why someone overcame adversity. Guests have ranged from current NFL players to public figures; episodes have at times become emotional, driven by Clark’s willingness to press into hardship rather than gloss over it.
On social media: Clark later apologized on X after a heated on-air exchange with colleague Peter Schrager; he has also publicly challenged Robert Griffin III over comments Griffin made about WNBA players.
Controversy and consequence
Clark’s straight-shooting style has earned him fans and critics. Earlier this year he engaged in a visible dispute with Robert Griffin III and faced backlash after telling fellow analyst Peter Schrager, “That’s the non-player in you,” during an ESPN debate — a remark Clark later addressed with a public apology. Clark says he’s learned to absorb criticism rather than escalate conflicts, and that some moments have reshaped how he approaches public conversations.
Plans for growth
Despite the occasional controversy, Clark is focused on growth. He intends to scale The Pivot into a larger media endeavor with additional podcasts and content while maintaining his heavy ESPN schedule during the NFL season. Clark points to his near-death health scare as a defining pivot that shifted his priorities — a motivator behind building something bigger and not waiting to act.
Why it matters
Clark’s transition from player to analyst and podcaster shows how athletes can convert on-field credibility into cross-platform media influence. Whether you agree with his takes or not, he’s carved out a distinct voice in sports media and is betting on expanding it further.
Image Referance: https://www.esquire.com/sports/a68805632/ryan-clark-interview-2025/