*A war of words has exploded between former NFL players Marcellus Wiley and Ryan Clark.
The pair, who have had opposing views for years, brought their beef to social media recently as Wiley called out Clark for shifting commentary when it comes to white quarterbacks and black quarterbacks.
According to Vibe, the latest disagreement was sparked on Jan. 19 when Clark, an analyst for ESPN, reacted to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson losing to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
Taking to X, Clark, who won a Super Bowl during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, seemingly gave Jackson a pass in taking responsibility for the Ravens not making it to the conference championship game.
“You fought 8! Gave your team the chance,” the Pivot podcast host wrote while referencing Jackson, a two-time league MVP.
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You fought 8! Gave your team the chance. Had adversity in the first half & kept pushing. Did everything you had to in the 2nd half to earn extra minutes. That’s the way it goes when it’s good on good. This ain’t on you, you showed up in the most important moments @Lj_era8!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 20, 2025
“Had adversity in the first half & kept pushing. Did everything you had to in the 2nd half to earn extra minutes. That’s the way it goes when it’s good on good. This ain’t on you, you showed up in the most important moments @Lj_era8!”
Clark’s post caught the eye of Wiley, who noticed a difference in Clark’s reaction to Jackson’s defeat versus how he came off towards Allen’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in last year’s NFL Divisional Playoff Round.
“Do you all see the difference in tone and intention of RC after a Lamar Jackson loss with good numbers, versus a Josh Allen when he loses with good numbers?” Wiley said the following day during an episode of his “Never Shut Up” podcast and YouTube show.
“This is to point out the hypocrisy, the race-baiting of Ryan Clark.”
As he continued his comparison, Wiley, a 10-season veteran in the NFL, seemingly put Clark among other sports pundits he feels blend their personal and sociopolitical biases with stating the facts for questionable commentary.
“Just to let you know, when you’re watching these guys — for those who are not informed — just know you need to go to a purer source than them,” the Compton native continued. “Because they have agendas. They will take you off the rails. They will take you into their own worlds, and their own worlds are personal.”
Wiley’s take on the situation triggered a response from Clark, who tagged the former Buffalo Bills draftee’s own X account in a post that found him labeling Wiley an obsessed “liar” while offering to meet face-to-face to speak with him.
“@marcelluswiley I let you talk about me constantly because I refused to give you life,” the former Pro Bowl defensive back, wrote.
“You just lie bro, & play to people that want somebody they think speaks for us to side with them! So, let me know when you want to ask me face-to-face about anything! I’ll even do your show!”
Hammering his point in further, Clark mentioned a past incident in which Wiley allegedly backed down from a confrontation with him.
“You’re full of it & you clearly need me since you talk about me so dang much,” Clark posted in his effort to prove Wiley’s seeming cowardice. “I gave you the chance to ‘Catch’ eye to eye, but you weren’t as talkative that day!”
Hey, @marcelluswiley you forgot to tell all your followers about our interaction at “Catch” for the Super Bowl. Like I said we were not alone in Vegas.
You just couldn’t let me be when I ignored you. So, now I’m not ignoring you anymore. Let’s have this conversation man to man! pic.twitter.com/DOq4rql98S
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 22, 2025
Not backing down at all, it wasn’t long before Wiley clapped back at Clark with a picture of him and Clark that seemingly tells a different story.
“I’m confused by your tone…. Ain’t this you with my drink on your shoulder @Realrclark25 when I see you out?” Wiley wrote, urging Clark to stop talking aggressively on social media while refusing his offer to fight.
So, to be clear @marcelluswiley. You talk about me constantly on your platform, but have denied having a private conversation to discuss your reasons? Which I’m still willing to do like men)… You also won’t debate this things on your platform that you constantly speak my name…
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 22, 2025
The back and forth showed no signs of stopping on social media as more revelations became known.
As I thought. You just need to talk about people more important than you, but won’t speak with them. You showed me who you were in person at “Catch” and again here. Go tell your lies. Crazy that someone from @Outkick had more balls than you! https://t.co/YfGMlrTgTo
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 22, 2025
Although he tried to call Wiley amid their squabble, Clark mentioned that Wiley immediately hung up and refused to speak with him. For his part, Wiley argued that he does not owe Clark a conversation, despite criticizing Clark for being a race-baiter, as Clark does not speak with every athlete he discusses on various platforms.
I’m done @marcelluswiley! I just called you again. You answered and hung up like the coward you are. I had time, but you don’t have heart. Anyone on this app missing the point about that was already lost to me anyway!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 22, 2025
You know the deal and we can have the conversation. Also, don’t forget the interaction at catch happened in front of the entire NFL Live crew! @danorlovsky7, @LauraRutledge and @minakimes got to see it up close!
Don’t play this game. I checked you about the lie you told…
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 22, 2025
Needless to say, these guys just don’t see eye to eye.
I’m confused by your tone….
Ain’t this you with my drink on your shoulder @Realrclark25 when I see you out? ???♂️Please stop the tuff talkin’ on twitter. We’re both too old for that, but maybe you’re too fake to realize it. Gangsta ain’t me…and it CERTAINLY ain’t you!
So… https://t.co/WRZcR9IMjC pic.twitter.com/tOLwKDn5T9
— Marcellus Wiley (@marcelluswiley) January 22, 2025
Ryan’s Crying Apology video by a pond coming in 3…2…1…??♂️@Realrclark25, for the 1000th time, I’m not fighting you lil’ man! So stop trying to play this tuff card for the world, it’s exposing you!
Texting yourself about me on your bat phone & screenshotting it like a… https://t.co/r3GpkhzBcE
— Marcellus Wiley (@marcelluswiley) January 22, 2025
So, what say you? Do you feel Wiley has a point with his criticism of Clark? Or is it a matter of Clark just doing his job and calling as he sees it?
Scroll below to weigh in.
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