Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety and current ESPN analyst Ryan Clark has built a career on passion, perseverance, and perspective. In a candid conversation, Clark shared insights into his transition from the NFL to broadcasting, the challenges of life after football, and what truly defines greatness.
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Ryan Clark reflects on his NFL Career and the road beyond
Reflecting on his career, Clark made it clear that football never solely defined him. “My identity was never being an athlete,” he said. “I loved the effort it took to be great at something. I loved the camaraderie. But I was never just a football player.” That perspective helped him avoid the identity crisis many athletes face when they hang up their cleats. Instead, he saw retirement as an opportunity. “It gave me a chance to be around my children more. You miss so much when you play ball, and I had children young,” he explained. “So I got to be there for them, and as they got older, I turned up the broadcasting side.”
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Even with his career shift, the discipline of football never left him. When asked about his physical conditioning post-NFL, Clark laughed, “I eat way more carbs now, for sure.” But he still prioritizes fitness while balancing the lasting effects of his playing days, including the removal of his spleen and gallbladder due to complications from sickle cell trait. “Football was my job, my business. Now, it’s more about staying active and mentally sharp.”
The Human Side of Football and the Super Bowl’s Magic
Clark, an ambassador with global health and wellness brand GNC, also highlighted something many fans overlook—the human aspect of being an NFL player. “Your family sacrifices just as much as you do,” he said. “Football is a family pursuit. When you’re locked in during the season, your significant other and kids take on more. And when you lose, they feel it, too.” He emphasized that despite criticism from fans, no one wants to win more than the players. “It’s easy to cheer for three hours, but we’ve dedicated our whole lives to those three hours.”
As for Super Bowl LVIII, Clark expressed excitement about witnessing history. “We may see a three-time champion for the first time, or we’ll see a team that rebuilt itself get revenge on the greatest dynasty in football.” But beyond the X’s and O’s, he sees the game as something bigger. “Football has an elegant violence to it. It’s a brutal yet beautiful game, played by people crazy enough to believe it’s the most important thing in the world—for those few hours, it is.”
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For Clark, whether on the field or in the studio, it’s always been about seizing the moment. “Just be present in what God has given you,” he advised. “Every big moment you’ve earned is just another step toward the next.”
Feature image: Broadcaster Ryan Clark prior to a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Nov. 4, 2024. (Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images)
