Stephen A. Smith criticizes Ryan Clark for deleting the recording

Stephen A. Smith is not happy with Ryan Clark. But why?

It all started with a post that Clark eventually deleted from his social media in which he called Lamar Jackson the most underrated quarterback in the NFL. The catch? He made this statement while sitting in Stephen A. Smith’s chair First recording. And the take in question didn’t sit well with some, sparking a discussion that quickly turned racial and only amplified the loudest and most ignorant voices on the internet.

Here’s what Clark had to say.

“I want to tell (Cam Newton). I want to tell Randall Cunningham. I want to tell Russell Wilson and I want to tell Michael Vick,” Clark began. “This is the evolution of the position. Without Randall Cunningham having to try to adjust, be a pocket passer, and also show off his athleticism, we don’t get to Michael Vick. And without Michael Vick accepting that and working on becoming a better passer and a better leader – we’re not getting Cam Newton. And if Cam Newton doesn’t bring the style of play he was able to bring from Auburn to the NFL – and win an MVP in the process – then we don’t have Lamar Jackson.

“Look, we needed this position because of all the negativity about whether people like (Newton) can play it or not; We needed each of you to get to this point. And that’s why we need Lamar Jackson to take the next step and win the Lombardi Trophy, just like we all cried when Doug Williams did in the 80s.”

“When we see him on Sundays now, he is in no way underestimated. We all know who Lamar Jackson is. I think what changes the whole narrative is… you have to win a championship.”

—@Realrclark25 about Lamar Jackson pic.twitter.com/3uqceGnCXX

– First Take (@FirstTake) December 27, 2024

One of the bigger criticisms of Clark’s reasoning was that he left out Patrick Mahomes.

“Personally, I’d like to say I’m disappointed, but that’s not the right word,” Smith said. “I’m pissed off. But I’m not mad at you at all, and I’m not mad at Ryan Clark for what he said. Do you know what I have a problem with? That he deleted the post. Because when cynicism and criticism came his way, Ryan Clark, someone who doesn’t run from anyone – and I’m certainly not accusing him of running away – I’m angry that he deleted the post.

“Now I know what a lot of people have said. “First of all, Ryan Clark didn’t know what he was talking about, because guess what? Patrick Mahomes is a three-time Super Bowl champion…” He’s a black quarterback and you bring that up? That’s really great of you. Ladies and gentlemen, Ryan Clark wasn’t wrong; Ryan Clark was right. Now he may have come across as wrong because he gave you the opportunity to derail Patrick Mahomes or undermine his point, but that’s not the point I got from him.

“What he’s talking about is not the black quarterback, but the black quarterbacks who have been asked whether or not they should play quarterback. No one questioned whether Deshaun Watson was a quarterback. No one questioned whether Patrick Mahomes was a quarterback. They questioned whether Lamar Jackson was a quarterback. They wondered if he should consider another position in the NFL.

“And it was Lamar Jackson who had to tell them, ‘No, I don’t agree with that; I’m a quarterback. And I’ll be a quarterback in the NFL. And I will wreak havoc. And I’m going to destroy the store. And I’m going to show you what I bring with me.” That’s what Lamar Jackson said. But they tried to convince him not to play quarterback.”

Smith goes on to say that the “specter of skepticism and criticism” that surrounded Jackson before he was drafted has historically only been directed at black quarterbacks. Smith pointed out that unlike their white counterparts, black quarterbacks have had to contend with doubts about their intellect, their ability to read defenses and their overall ability to play the position.

“Where’s the white guy — and if I’m wrong, I’ll be corrected,” Smith said. “But I can’t remember a white guy coming into the NFL who had played the quarterback position in college and he was discouraged from playing quarterback because people accused him of not being able to play that position . Don’t even tell us why they said that. Because usually questions about a quarterback are about his ability to throw or his ability to be a dual threat at the position.

“But among Black people back then, there was a question about intellect and the ability to understand an NFL defense, decipher it, read your progress and make the right decision and make the right throw… Those are the things that were thrown were.” in the questions about black quarterbacks. And every time a black quarterback was asked whether or not he should play the position – that was the first thing that came to people’s minds, because that’s the level of skepticism associated with the black quarterback – until recently.

“Now no one blames anyone for the fact that this is the case. Times have changed and things have improved drastically… That’s not what Ryan Clark is talking about in light of what I saw him say on First Take… The man who was talking about Lamar Jackson simply said, ” He’s a dual threat.” His athletic ability is undeniable. His running ability is undeniable. His passing game has improved. He did everything right. And now everyone and everyone is waiting for him to deliver the goods…”

Essentially, Jackson has to answer the call, which is to win a Super Bowl.

“In the event he answers the call, Ryan Clark is right,” Smith added. “That should be IT when it comes to seeing a dual threat at the quarterback position, with extreme athleticism questioning whether or not they can play the quarterback position.” What’s the problem? I don’t see any problem.

“I’m reportedly pretty upset that Ryan Clark deleted his tweet. What do you consider it done for? You were right. His point may not have been stated as perfectly as he would have liked, and he may have left a gap here so someone could at least question it, but I fully understand his overall point – and he was right. If Lamar Jackson wins the Super Bowl, it will go a long way toward ensuring we never again question whether a Cat can do it at the position, as he represents a dual threat – a quarterback who can run…

“Ryan Clark is right.”

Maybe he’s right, but Smith might not forgive him for deleting the post.

(The Stephen A. Smith Show)