Ryan Clark is pushing back on the idea he wasn't forced off the air after learning ESPN had fired him ... saying he asked if he should be done for the day and was flatly told, "Yes."
The former NFL star clarified Wednesday how his final "NFL Live" appearance ended while quoting a TMZ Sports post about his abrupt exit, writing ... "I wasn’t forced? 'I ask, should I be done now?' The answer was 'yes.'"
As we reported ... Clark learned during a commercial break Monday that he was part of a mass layoff at ESPN -- and he never returned to the broadcast.
Ryan Clark getting sent packing from ESPN isn't sitting well with the network's biggest star -- Stephen A. Smith voiced his frustrations over the move in a lengthy video on Tuesday ... saying his now-former colleague is the best in the business.
"I'm gonna miss him," SAS said. "I am not happy about this decision one bit. The bosses know I'm not happy about this decision. I've made that very, very clear."
The "First Take" host acknowledged it's part of the business ... and it's something he's experienced several times at ESPN, but this one is different due to his personal connection to Clark.
Ryan Clark was let go by ESPN yesterday in the middle of a live show ... and TMZ has learned how it all went down.
A source with direct knowledge tells TMZ ... Ryan was going to be notified on Tuesday that he was part of a mass layoff, but on Monday ... the network was made aware that a report was about to drop about the former NFL player being laid off. The report was going to be published while Ryan was filming "NFL Live" and a call had to be made ... how should he find out?
We're told ESPN honchos decided to get ahead of the news and tell Ryan during a commercial break, rather than him see an alert on his phone.
Ryan did not come back on the air after being informed he was being let go ... obviously, the news rattled him, and we're told both Ryan and ESPN agreed it was better not to return.
Cam Newton is out at the World Wide Leader ... the latest casualty in a round of cuts that claimed the jobs of some of the most prominent figures in sports media.
The former NFL MVP was laid off this week, according to TMZ Sports' sources ... a surprising move from the powers that be in Bristol.
Newton was only with ESPN for a few years -- he signed on in late 2024 -- but found success opposite Stephen A. Smithduring the NFL season, where he was SAS' main debate partner on"First Take."
Newton was elevated into the premiere spot after Shannon Sharpe parted ways with ESPN last year.
Ryan Clark is sending some words of encouragement to all his coworkers getting axed from ESPN ... saying he hopes they all land on their feet -- while admitting he knows exactly what they're going through.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back and ex-ESPN talent went to X to share his kind message on Tuesday ... saying, "Sending prayers and love to all those laid off today by ESPN."
"So many of you have poured your life into that company, & I know how you’re feeling right now. My hope is as this door closes another opens for you all. God bless!"
Ryan Clark was doing his job when he found out he no longer had one -- the NFL player-turned-ESPN analyst disappeared from "NFL Live" mid-show after a report was published stating he was impacted by a round of layoffs at the network.
The Athletic dropped the news on Monday, stating the former Steelers defensive back was being let go ... but there was one problem -- the network wasn't planning to break it to Clark himself until Tuesday morning.
🚨 THEY ALL KNEW
Ryan Clark got FIRED by ESPN mid-show
NFL Live hit commercial break… came back and he was GONE.
Calling all you mighty Millennials, ballin' Boomers, groovy Gen X-ers, and everyone else ... We're tappin' y'all into Gen-Z's hottest stories of the week, packed with sexy stars and piping-hot news!
Mike Tyson had his world flipped upside down at the ESPYs ... when he learned in real time Shohei Ohtani -- the biggest star in Major League Baseball -- is a man.
"Shohei's a guy?"
Mike Tyson awarded Shohei Ohtani the ESPY for best single-game performance, but had one very important question afterwards pic.twitter.com/sdDZFW0dwS@JomboyMedia
Iron Mike, Jake Paul and DJ Khaled presented the award for best single-game performance at Wednesday's event ... and when El Gallo said the Dodgers slugger sent "his gratitude and appreciation" for the win, Tyson's jaw dropped.
Right before the crowd clapped for Ohtani, who was not present for the ceremony, Tyson is heard on the hot mic asking his former boxing opponent if Sho-Time was really a dude.
The "Saturday Night Live" star/Wednesday night's host took the stage at the David H. Koch Theater in New York City ... and used the opportunity to throw silly zingers at Jake Paul, Jalen Brunson, the entire WNBA and more.
The biggest laughs of the 10-minute speech came at the expense of Tiger and Bill ... with Hernández joking the golf superstar will be on the cover of the next "Grand Theft Auto" video game, a clear shot at his March DUI rollover crash and arrest.
The ESPYs are here ... which means we get to see our favorite sports stars out of uniform and lookin' their best!
Simone Biles spoiled us by giving us a look at her gorgeous gams as she arrived at the David H. Koch Theater at NYC's Lincoln Center. She looked simply stunning in her champagne gown, which fabulously flaunted her assets.
Ilona Maherwas a wonder in white, dropping jaws in her strapless dress and showing the Big Apple just how sexy it is to be strong.
Before this lil' gymnast turned into an Olympic champion, she was just stretching and conditioning, looking up to Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson ... and competing in gymnastics when she was just a young kid ...
She's the 2020 All-Around Olympic Gold Medalist, and if you're still unsure who she is ... she won the 2025 ESPY for Best Comeback!
The ESPYs are where sports history comes alive -- a star-studded celebration of the athletes, moments, and milestones that captured the world’s attention throughout the year ...
Check out the gallery-- From jaw-dropping performances and unforgettable victories to emotional speeches and legendary champs, the ESPYs honor the legends who pushed the limits and changed the game, pun intended 😜
Relive the energy, the excitement, and the defining moments that made sports history in this ultimate collection of ESPYs greatness!!!
The 2026 ESPSYs are goin' down tomorrow, so we're throwin' it back to this ESPY winner, soccer legend Mia Hamm!
Hamm's soccer reign peaked from the 1990s through the early 2000s, cementing her status as one of the sport's all-time greats. Some of her standout accomplishments include winning two FIFA Women's World Cups, two Olympic gold medals, and five ESPY Awards.
Before this cute kid in green overalls was a 3-time ESPY winner, she was just starting to skii at 2 years old, admiring Olympic gold medalist ski racer Picabo Street and gearing up for the Olympics.
This talented star competed in five winter games and managed to grab one gold and two bronzes ... She took home two ESPSYs in 2010 and another in 2011.
