Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark have been at the center of the most random NFL drama in recent memory.
Thankfully, it sounds like Clark and Tagovailoa have settled their differences.
Clark revealed on social media Friday night that he spoke to Tagovailoa.
“Didn’t seem to think so when we spoke today,” Clark replied when a fan called him a loser. “He’s an awesome young cat. Lots of respect for him.”
Didn’t seem to think so when we spoke today. He’s an awesome young cat. Lots of respect for him. https://t.co/TcwTj1JFsZ
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) August 26, 2023
It all started with Clark roasting Tagovailoa’s work ethic while on ESPN’s “NFL Live” this week.
“Let me tell you what he wasn’t doing,” Clark said of Tagovailoa. “He wasn’t in the gym, I’ll bet you that. He might have spent a lot of time in the tattoo parlor. He was not at the dinner table eating what the nutritionist had advised. He looks happy. He is thick. He’s built like the girls working at Onyx in Atlanta right now on the bottom.”
After Tagovailoa told Clark to keep his name out of his mouth, the former Steelers safety issued a public apology.
“I have a responsibility to those players to be thoughtful in the way I present my opinions of them. In joking about Tua Tagovailoa, I didn’t meet that responsibility,” Clark said. “It was never my intention to question Tua’s work ethic or commitment to the game, but I’m also aware enough to know that intent, doesn’t always match impact. How something is presented isn’t always how it’s received by everyone. I do my best to be honest when executing my job as well as being honest when I fall short. I fell short on Monday and for that, I genuinely apologize.”
When I decided to do TV I had 2 main priorities.
1. Respect all NFL players, coaches, executives and staff members.
2. Earn and keep the respect of those very same people.
Those priorities are important to me, and when I miss that mark, I have to hold myself accountable.… pic.twitter.com/YgZfcNPN8G
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) August 24, 2023
Tagovailoa may have accepted Clark’s apology, but that doesn’t mean he has to forget what was once said.
In fact, Tagovailoa could very well use Clark’s words as motivation this season.