Ryan Clark educates Twitter trolls after praising Bruce Arians' inclusive coaching staff
Ryan Clark debated with Twitter users over a discussion of race in the NFL.
ESPN analyst and retired NFL safety Ryan Clark took to Twitter on Sunday to celebrate Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians and his inclusive staff, comprised of three Black coordinators and two women, among others.
The two women on staff, assistant defensive line coach Lori Locust and assistant strength and conditioning coach Maral Javadifar, became the first female coaches to win a Super Bowl. Arians also works with offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong and assistant head coach and run game coordinator Harold Goodwin. All four men are Black.
So, Clark wrote a quick thank you note to Arians, acknowledging how rare this still is in the NFL.
Thank you Bruce Arians for showing the world that all 3 of your coordinators can be black, your assistant head coach can be black, you can have 2 full time women coaches and be the best team in the world. BA you’re a trail blazer. Leadership doesn’t have a look!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) February 8, 2021
The NFL and league owners have a history of struggling to put anything but white men in leadership positions. The league has just three Black head coaches (Mike Tomlin, Brian Flores, David Culley) and five Black general manager (Andrew Berry, Chris Grier, Martin Mayhew, Brad Holmes, Terry Fontenot). The total of Black GMs surged this offseason after team owners hired three more. Roughly 70% of the players, meanwhile, are Black. No NFL team has more than one female coach, except the Buccaneers.
“That was not by design,” Arians said when asked about his inclusive staff. “Those are the best coaches I know.”
Clark was right to acknowledge the diversity of the Bucs coaching staff, but because some fans still assume the league can be colorblind, Clark ended up arguing with Twitter users over the statement. Clark parsed his comments to those who seemed to be misunderstanding it — and were twisting the conversation into a crooked direction. Amid his attempts to celebrate Arians and his staff, some of Clark’s followers attempted to make nonsensical points about why the NFL analyst shouldn’t make it about race.
That, of course, would be nice — if the NFL could do the same. But Black coaches don’t get afforded the same opportunities that white coaches do. And so, yes, it’s absolutely about race.
I do. I think it’s important that Bruce Arians and his diverse staff are mentioned. They are extremely unique, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad, or you can’t win. I’m smart enough to know this isn’t the only way to win, but it’s vital to note that it is possible to win this way. https://t.co/MjJO39rbiX
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) February 8, 2021
I agree, but they also weren’t excluded because of their color or gender. That’s the point I’m making. I believe that everyone BA hired he hired because they were qualified. The problem is some times those same qualified people aren’t hired because of the exact same reasons.
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) February 8, 2021
It mattered when enslaved, sprayed with fire hoses, assassinated in Memphis, choked to death by a knee, shot in the back 7 times, & shot in your own bed. Also mattered in Wisconsin when you’re 17, murder 2 people & walk away scott free. One difference in these stories. Skin color https://t.co/IdPvlTyEyw
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) February 8, 2021
I will look beyond color when others look beyond color in hiring, developing, & protecting. Once all things are equal I won’t have to advocate for those who are excluded.. til then. Guess you missed “women” should I not bring them up too or you just mad about the black coaches?
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) February 8, 2021
Because many times those coaches are excluded from leadership opportunities in a league that is majority African American. So, I’m praising the WHITE HEAD COACH who has chosen to give this diverse group of coaches an opportunity. https://t.co/wCtsOWtjpL
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) February 8, 2021
It wasn’t all bad. Some of Clark’s followers, including his peers at ESPN, showed support for Arians and Clark’s praise for the coach.
Talk your talk @Realrclark25 on @GetUpESPN #Diversity won last night as well with that @Buccaneers coaching staff.
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) February 8, 2021
Yes! So pumped for this coaching staff. And for Arians getting his first ring as an HC. https://t.co/KDmJv24VEx
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) February 8, 2021
https://t.co/vDGvVTS2L4 pic.twitter.com/snEVScOsFG
— CHAMPIONS ∞ (@DonCarlos0406__) February 8, 2021
Clark’s patience with these trolls was impressive. His responses led to many of the commenters deleting their tweets. He broke down his argument, piece by piece, for any of these dissenters who were willing to listen — because that’s exactly what these trolls need to do: listen.