An ESPN analyst reveals how Obama’s former colleague’s comments became a point of contention
Sage Steele, in a lawsuit against her former employer, ESPN, accused the analyst Ryan Clark refusing to work with her due to opposing political views.
Clark recently admitted “The Michele Tafoya Show” That part of the accusation wasn’t false, but he felt the need to clear the air.
Tafoya asked Clark about the lawsuit, which alleges Clark refused to work with Steele after she made controversial comments on former NFL podcast Jay Cutler in 2021.
Click here for more sports coverage on FoxNews.com
ESPN analyst Ryan Clark broadcasts from the field before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Jets at Levi’s Stadium on September 9, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
On the podcastSteele reflected on an appearance on “The View,” in which she said Barbara Walters “knocked me out” by saying it was “important” to label yourself as biracial.
Steele said Walters then brought up that former President Barack Obama, who is a voter, had chosen “black” when filling out census paperwork.
“I’m, well, congratulations to the president. It’s his thing. I think it’s fascinating because he was nowhere, but his white mom and grandma raised him. But hey, you. I’m going to do me,” Steele said on Cutler’s podcast.
Clark said he disagreed with Steele on many political issues, including her position on vaccinations and the Colin Kaepernick protests, but he “had no problem” with her being a conservative.
“Sage Steele as a conservative was, like, ESPN’s worst-kept secret,” ex Pittsburgh Steelers The defensive back gave up.
However, her comments on Obama were “the only” thing that offended him and prompted him to talk to a producer at ESPN about how to put together a segment.
Sage Steele takes the stage during a Donald Trump campaign rally at Lancaster Airport on November 3, 2024 in Lititz, PA. (Getty Images)
3 people charged with selling counterfeit Jason Kelce memorabilia
“As a black man who understands that no matter what President Obama decides to check as his race, he’s going to be looked at like the entire country as black. He’s going to be looked at if the cops say, ‘The suspect is black, a tall, slim, light blue man, “President Obama would fit that description,” Clark said.
“He’s also a man who was married to a black woman. He was also a man who raised two young black daughters. And I felt it was disrespectful to say, ‘Why would someone with that blood run through their veins that’s what the culture wants to represent?'”
Clark admitted he told the producer he wanted another host, Matt Barrie, to “host my segment.”
“Because what I do know is this … Chemistry is a big part of TV. It’s a big part of our ability to be entertained. And I didn’t want my discomfort with what she said to show on screen,” Clark said.
Clark said it was a one-time thing with Steele and they were able to “work … in a very cordial way” until she left ESPN. He added that they’re not talking anymore, “but obviously I wish her the best in all her endeavors.”
ESPN’s Ryan Clark talks with colleagues on the air before the game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 4, 2023, at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. (Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Click here to get the Fox News app
“Now she’s found a place where, funnily enough, she feels like she fits in, she feels like she has a voice and she has a passion. And I feel like we should all be entitled to that, whether you agree or disagree.”
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage on xand subscribe to Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
