Ryan Clark apologizes to Tua Tagovailoa after Dolphins QB calls out criticism

Ryan Clark caused such a ruckus when he mocked Tua Tagovailoa that his name started trending on social media as did the term “Salty Tua.”

The normally mild-mannered Tagovailoa even suggested a smackdown if Clark, the former Steeler, didn’t take Tua’s name out of his mouth. On Thursday, Ryan Clark issued a very long apology, complete with video, to Tua Tagovailoa. There was no wiggly “if” anyone was offended. He took full blame.

“When I decided to do TV I had 2 main priorities,” said Clark, an NFL analyst for ESPN. “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. This game is difficult. Players sacrifice so much to be a part of the 1%. I have a responsibility to those players to be thoughtful in the way I present my opinions of them.”

And then he arrived at the part about Tua. “In joking about Tua Tagovailoa, I didn’t meet that responsibility. 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

Cheap shot? Ryan Clark made fun of Tua Tagovailoa’s rear end

If you missed the Ryan Clark-Tua Tagovailoa drama, we can do a quick catch up. Clark, while doing a segment on ESPN’s NFL Live earlier this week, suggested Tua was overweight. Tagovailoa, Clark said, “might have spent a lot of time at the tattoo table. He was not at the dinner table eating what the fitness trainer had advised. He looks heavy. (And) He is thick.” Clark also remarked Tua’s bottom looks like that of a woman who works at a popular gentlemen’s club in Atlanta.

On Wednesday, reporters asked Tagovailoa for his thoughts on Clark’s comments. The quarterback made gaining muscle a goal this offseason. He also studied martial arts. It was all about learning how to protect his body. Tagovailoa suffered multiple concussions in 2022 and missed four games.

“It’s a little weird when other people are talking about other people, when they’re not that person,” Tagovailoa told reporters in regards to Clark.

“It’s just a little weird. My background, is I come from a Samoan family. Respect is everything. It does get to a point where, Hey, a little easy on that buddy. “I think we’re tough-minded people. And if we need to get scrappy, we can get scrappy too. Just saying.”

Tua capped it all off with “I’d appreciate it if you kept my name out your mouth. That’s what I’d say.”