Ryan Clark

Ryan Clark is a commentator with ESPN, active community leader and business owner. Clark, who joined ESPN as an NFL analyst in February 2015 on the day he retired from professional football, is co-host of DC & RC, a program focusing on MMA topics. Premiering in July 2021, Clark teams with ESPN’s Daniel Cormier, a legend in the Octagon and now an MMA commentator. The weekly show is seen on the ESPN app, @ESPN on YouTube and Twitter, as an audio podcast, and on ESPN2. Clark brings to the show the die-hard passion of a super-fan and a genuine understanding of MMA. For NFL topics, the 13-year NFL safety and Super Bowl champion regularly appears on “NFL Live,” “Get Up” and “SportsCenter.” Also, Clark hosts the weekly digital series’ “The Pivot,” “FaceFirst” and is the Founder of DB Precision – an academy dedicated to elite level training with professional athletes.

Clark’s playing career spanned 13 NFL seasons (2002-14) and included a Super Bowl XLIII title and two AFC Championships. He played a majority of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2006-13), two years with the New York Giants (2002-03) and two stints with the Washington Redskins (2004-05 and 2014). Clark played in 177 NFL games with 16 interceptions over the course of his career. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2011 and recorded 100 tackles in each of the last four seasons (2011-14).

Clark currently serves on the Black Bank Foundation board. The BBF strives to ensure communities of color can access capital and build wealth through a robust Black banking sector. In addition, Clark is an active volunteer with the Sickle Cell Association of South Louisiana to raise awareness and funds for Sickle Cell research. Clark is an active mentor for current NFL players and can often be found on LSU’s campus speaking to classes.

While still an active NFL player, Clark made regular ESPN guest analyst appearances in 2013 and 2014 and he was part of ESPN’s on-site coverage of Super Bowl XLIX in Arizona.

A native of Marrero, Louisiana, Clark graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in mass communications. At LSU, Clark started 36 consecutive games for the Tigers and was an AllSEC second team selection in 2000.

Clark, who suffered a splenic infarction during his playing career due to sickle cell disease, has been involved with sickle cell awareness, research, treatment and programming. In 2012, he formed Ryan Clark’s Cure League to raise awareness about the sickle cell trait with hopes of eventually finding a cure.