Ashton Jeanty: "Ryan Clark is an absolute clown: NFL fans rip ex-Steelers star for comments on Ashton Jeanty not having "IT" factor

Ryan Clark hit the wrong nerves of fans with a scorching hot take on running back Ashton Jeanty. Ahead of the Las Vegas Raiders’ Week 3 clash with the Washington Commanders, the former Steelers defensive back questioned the rookie’s “it” factor. Clark said ESPN's "First Take,"

"To me, Ashton Jeanty doesn’t have that pop, doesn’t have that thing that makes him different. What’s Ashton Jeanty’s ‘it’ factor? Because when you got it, you got it, and it pops.”

He downplayed Jeanty’s monster final year at Boise State with 29 touchdowns and over 2,600 yards, crediting it to weaker competition.

He doubled down, asking, “You think Derwin James is going to get tired of hitting him? You think these linebackers in the league are going to get tired of hitting him?”

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Fans were not impressed. One fan said,

“Ryan Clark is an absolute clown. This dude does not belong on TV.”

Another said, "Ryan Clark gotta retire man."

One X user tweeted, "CTE is hitting Ryan Clark heavy, huh? "

"The fact that Ryan Clark is still employed is beyond me," tweeted one more.

"Take Ryan Clark off the air, ESPN. Do it for us," said one fan.

"Hot take culture ruining sports," commented another.

Ashton Jeanty’s NFL start hasn’t matched the hype. He has 81 rushing yards on 30 carries (2.7 yards per carry), but supporters insist it’s far too early to label the sixth overall pick a bust.

Also read: "Two woke clowns defending each other": NFL fans call out Mina Kimes for siding with Ryan Clark on player vs non-player debate post Peter Schrager row

Ryan Clark gives opinion on Shedeur Sanders' potential development under Lamar Jackson

The ex-Steeler safety is backing Shedeur Sanders’ bold call to pass on a potential opportunity to be Lamar Jackson’s backup in Baltimore. The ESPN analyst said on The Pivot that the move was “the right decision.”

“If the reports of Shedeur turning down the Ravens are true, then I say good for him,” Clark said. “Lamar Jackson is the greatest, most dynamic, & impactful runner of the football to have ever played the QB position… Oh, and a historically efficient passer.”

Clark stressed that no one will take snaps from Jackson anytime soon.

“No one is playing QB for the Ravens as long as that man is standing upright,” he added.

Instead, Sanders sits as QB3 in Cleveland behind Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel.

Also read: 47 days after apologizing for bringing RG III's wife in Angel Reese controversy, Ryan Clark makes stance clear in latest comments

About the author

Prasen is an NFL/College Sports analyst at Sportskeeda. A B.Tech/Civil Engineering graduate, he has two years of experience writing content.

For Prasen, providing historical angles relevant to the story is important, as it can give the reader useful information and help them relate it to the present. He thinks this keeps the content unique rather than just a bland reporting of facts. Prasen believes in fact-checking and researching relevant information as per the headline and context. He hates clickbait or misleading the reader.

A fan of the Colorado Buffaloes since Deion Sanders took over as coach, Prasen expects Coach Prime to make the Buffs a national championship contender. Nick Saban is his favorite all-time coach, while Baker Mayfield and Caitlin Clark are his favorite players. Prasen considers Vince Young coming up clutch for the Texas Longhorns in the dying seconds of the 2017 national championship game against the USC Trojans as the most iconic moment of all time.

Per Prasen, College Sports is competitive and garners attention but it is just the beginning, where a student-athlete can show their skills and potential to make it to the big leagues. When he is not researching and writing, Prasen’s hobbies include pursuing higher studies and playing sports.

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Edited by Prasen