Sage Steele, in a trial against her former employer, ESPN, accused analyst Ryan Clark of refusing to work with her because of the opposite political opinions.
Clark recently admitted to “The Michele Tafoya Show” that a part of the accusation was not false, but he felt the need to clean the air.
Tafoya questioned Clark on the trial, which alleged that Clark refused to work with Steele after making controversial comments on the podcast of the former quarter-arre of NFL Jay Cutler in 2021.
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ESPN analyst ESPN Ryan Clark broadcasts field before a match between the 49ers of San Francisco and the New York Jets in Levi’s Stadium on September 9, 2024, in Santa Clara, California. (Lachlan Cunningham / Getty Images)
On the podcast, Steele thought of an appearance on “The View”, in which she said that Barbara Walters “tore me” for having said it was “important” to qualify as a biracial.
Steele said Walters then spoke of this former president Barack Obama, who is biracial, chose “black” when filling the paperwork for a census.
“I am like, well, congratulations to the president. It is his thing. I think it is fascinating since his black father was not found, but his mother white and his grandmother raised him. But hey , you are.
Clark said he disagreed with Steele on many political subjects, including his vaccination position and Colin Kaepernick demonstrations, but he had “no problem” with her being a curator.
“Sage Steele being a curator was, as, the biggest secret of ESPN,” joked the old defensive rear of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
However, his comments on Obama were the “only” thing that “offended” him and prompted him to speak with a producer in ESPN of the accommodation of a segment together.
Sage Steele goes on stage during a Donald Trump campaign rally at Lancaster airport on November 3, 2024, in Lititz, Pennsylvania. (Getty Images)
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“As a black man who understands that no matter what President Obama decides to check as his race, he will be considered a whole country as a black man. He will be considered if the police say: ‘The suspect is a Black, tall man, thin and clear skin, ‘President Obama would suit this description, “said Clark.
“He is also a man married to a black woman. He was also a man who raised two black girls. And I felt that it was disrespectful to say:” Why would someone with this blood run in their veins wanted to represent this culture? ‘”
Clark admitted to having said to a producer that he wanted another host, Matt Barrie, “take my segment”.
“Because what I know is that chemistry is a large part of television. This is a large part of our ability to be able to entertain. And I didn’t want my discomfort with what she said to The screen, “said Clark.
Clark said it was a unique thing with Steele, and they were able to “work … in a very cordial way” until she leaves Espn. He added that they no longer speak: “But I obviously wish him all the best in all his efforts.”
Ryan Clark of ESPN chats with colleagues on the waves before a match between the Bengals of Cincinnati and the Jacksonville jaguars on December 4, 2023, at the Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. (Peter Joneleit / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“She has now found a place where, in terms of entertainment, she has the impression of adapting, she has the impression of having a voice and that she has a passion. And I have the impression that we should all be entitled to this, whether you agree or disagree. “”
