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Ryan Clark made some comments about Miami Dolphins passer Tua Tagovailoa this offseason which landed him in hot water. The NFL analyst questioned the quarterback’s work ethic and preseason training ahead of the season opener.
More specifically, he compared Tagovailoa’s body to that of a “girl working at [strip club] Onyx in Atlanta.” Dolphins fans haven’t forgotten, and they let Clark know after their signal caller went off on Sunday.
This level of hate from Ryan Clark is unbelievable…
Tua does nothing but keep his head down and work his tail off the ENTIRE off season to get his body right.
How dare @espn for the constant hate y’all don’t even hide it anymore pic.twitter.com/w5I6OwZJH4
— JoeRobbie (@JoeRobbie_) August 22, 2023
“He might spend much time in the tattoo parlor,” Clark said. “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.”
Tagovailoa answered with a fiery response to that off-field criticism, telling the former NFL defender to “keep [his] name out of his mouth.”
Shortly after, Clark apologized for the remark, which he said was simply a joke.
Now, his foot is completely in his mouth following the passer’s season opener.
Tagovailoa went off in his first game of the year, throwing for 466 yards and three touchdowns. His fourth quarter passing score with less than two minutes remaining proved to be the deciding play as the Dolphins left Los Angeles with a 36-34 win over the Chargers.
Ryan Clark acknowledged Tua’s play with a few posts on social media, but Miami fans aren’t letting him walk back his preseason comments.
Don’t back track now
— Jermaine Walker (@Theflyinvestor) September 11, 2023
Not too shabby for a dancer from Onyx huh?
— MiamiClutchPE (@MiamiClutchPE) September 11, 2023
You said he wasn’t in the lab, he let the play state otherwise.
Famous philosopher @LilTunechi once said “real g’s move in silence like lasagna.” Maybe he was right 😂
— Josh (@AyyPlusGG) September 10, 2023
Remember when you accused him of not training this off season? People don’t forget
— Jack (@Lord_Jack17) September 11, 2023
Didn’t you say he was only in the kitchen and tattoo parlor or something
— Fin5 Up (@finssforthewinn) September 11, 2023
Dolphins fans kept the receipts.