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Former NFL safety Ryan Clark is walking back his statements made about Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The television personality commented on the passer’s added weight this offseason, saying he looked “thick” like a dancer at a nightclub.
The jab quickly went viral on social media, resulting in a largely negative response from football fans and followers.
Clark specifically referenced an Atlanta strip club in his comments, as well as took a swipe at Tua’s new tattoo.
“He might spend much 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 right now. ”
Ryan Clark on Tua Tagovailoa:
“He looks like a girl working at Onyx in Atlanta right now”
— Savage (@SavageSports_) August 22, 2023
After catching wind of the comments, Tagovailoa offered a fiery response. The signal caller said he’d appreciate it if Clark didn’t talk about him much more this year.
“I come from Samoan family. Respect is everything, but it does get to a point where it’s like, ‘Hey, little easy on that buddy.’ I think we’re pretty tough-minded people but if we need to get scrappy, we can get scrappy… I would appreciate it if you kept my name out your mouth.”
Following the negative response, Clark issued an apology. He posted a video to his Twitter account on Thursday, along with a message.
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
“Yesterday, Tua Tagovailoa had to answer questions about something I said on Monday,” Ryan Clark said. “Something that I truly felt like was a joke to me. I’ve realized as the week has gone on, that if this man has to answer questions about it, if so many Miami Dolphins fans are offended by it, then people ain’t taking it as a joke.
“Let me be very clear. If I hurt you Tua, if I offended you, if I disrespected you, if anybody who supports and loves you feels some sort of way because of what I said, I truly apologize.”
We’ll see if this mends the relationship and puts the offseason drama on hold.
Miami is set to kick off its 2023 season in two weeks with a matchup against the Chargers.