Ryan Clark, former NFL star and now ESPN analyst, is under fire for comments he made about Kyren Lacy. Clark tried to defend Lacy after his death, insisting the wide receiver was innocent in a deadly car crash. But many felt he spoke without care, and now fans are calling for ESPN to step in.
Lacy died by suicide on April 3, 2025, just days before he was set to face a grand jury. The case stemmed from a December 2024 crash in Louisiana that killed 78‑year‑old Herman Hall. During SportsCenter, Clark said Lacy should not be blamed, pointing to data and arguments made by Lacy’s legal team.
Clark’s Tribute Creates an Awkward and Fraught Moment
Clark made his remarks after Monday Night Football while speaking with Scott Van Pelt. He claimed Lacy was innocent, pointing to numbers that suggested Lacy was 72 yards away when the crash happened.
Clark doubled down emotionally, saying:
“Kyren Lacy was accused of something and being investigated for something that he didn’t do. And he died having to live with the guilt and the consequences of a guilty man knowing he is innocent. They changed his joy, they changed his life, and eventually he took his own life. So I’m gonna say his name tonight. Amen, Kyren Lacy was innocent.”
Soon after, the Louisiana State Police pushed back. They released a video that, according to them, showed Lacy speeding in the wrong lane and passing cars in no‑passing zones. The clash between Clark’s defense and the official evidence made his words stand out even more. That direct conflict between Clark’s words and the video evidence only made the backlash louder.
Because Lacy passed away before trial, there was never a final judgment. That legal gap meant Clark’s words carried extra weight and more risk of being seen as unfair.
The Apology Came Swiftly, But Fans Are Not Letting Go
Clark didn’t wait long to walk it back. On First Take, he apologized, saying he failed to look at the full evidence and didn’t meet his own standards. He admitted he got caught up in emotion and didn’t show enough caution.
He also shared condolences to both Lacy’s family and Herman Hall’s family. In his words: “Two lives have been lost. Herman Hall, a man who spent his life in service of others, and Kyren Lacy, he’s just a young man who I wish I could tell how much he had to live for.”
Even with that, fans were not satisfied. Comments piled up, including:
“Ryan Clark wants to say that the opinions of people who have never played football are beneath his own thoughts and opinions. And yet, despite the fact that he has never been a cop or a lawyer, he has no problem not only speaking out on legal matters, but proclaiming the innocence of people and the fault of the police. Classic hypocrite.”
Others mocked the pattern of apologies, with one user saying, “New month, new apology. Legendary apologetic run.”
Another asked bluntly, “How many apologies is this guy gonna have to issue before ESPN just lets him go??”
Many people argued that when tragedies involve ongoing investigations, words matter more than ever. A quick apology, they said, doesn’t undo the damage from the first message. ESPN has not commented publicly, leaving Clark stuck in the storm.
This episode is a reminder: in moments of loss and legal disputes, emotion isn’t enough. Words carry weight, and once spoken, they can’t be taken back.
Published: Oct 10, 2025 03:28 pm