In her lawsuit against her former employer, ESPN, Sage Steele accuses analyst Ryan Clark of refusing to work with her because of his opposing political views.
Clark recently admitted on “The Michele Tafoya Show” that some of the accusations were not false, but said he felt the need to clear the air.
Tafoya asked Clark about a lawsuit in which Clark allegedly refused to work with Steele after he made controversial comments on former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler's podcast in 2021.
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ESPN analyst Ryan Clark broadcasts from the field before the San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Jets game at Levi's Stadium on September 9, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
on podcastDuring an appearance on The View, Steele said he was “offended” by Barbara Walters' comment that it was “important” for him to label himself as biracial.
Steele said Walters then brought up that former President Barack Obama, who is biracial, selected “black” when filling out census forms.
“I'm like, well, congratulations to the president. That's his job. That's interesting considering his black father is nowhere to be found and his white mother and grandmother raised him. But, you know, I'm like, 'I'm going to do it,''' Steele said on Cutler's podcast.
Clark said she disagrees with Steele on many political topics, including her stance on vaccinations and Colin Kaepernick's protests, but has “no problem” with her being a conservative. he said.
“It was like ESPN's worst kept secret that Sage Steele was a conservative,” the former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back quipped.
But her comments about Obama were “the only thing” that “offended” him, leading him to talk to ESPN producers about hosting a segment together.
Sage Steele takes the stage at a Donald Trump campaign rally at Lancaster Airport in Lititz, Pennsylvania on November 3, 2024. (Getty Images)
Three people charged with selling counterfeit Jason Kelsey products
“As a black man who understands that no matter what President Obama decides to do as a person of his race, he will be seen as black across the country. If a police officer says, 'The suspect is black. 'And he will be seen as a 'tall, slender, light-skinned man,' President Obama fits that description,'' Clark said.
“He was also a man who married a black woman and raised two young black daughters. And you say, 'Why would someone with that blood in their veins want to represent that person?' “I felt it was disrespectful” culture? '”
Clark admitted that he told producers he wanted another host, Matt Barry, to “host my segment.”
“Because what I do know is that chemistry is a big part of television. It's a big part of our ability to be entertained. And for what she said… We didn’t want to show any discomfort on screen,” Clark said.
Mr. Clark said his relationship with Mr. Steele was a one-time affair and they were able to work together on a “very amicable basis” until she left ESPN. He added that they no longer speak, “but I obviously wish her the best in all her endeavors.”
ESPN's Ryan Clark chats with colleagues during the broadcast before the game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Jacksonville Jaguars at Everbank Stadium on December 4, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Peter Jonereit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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“She's now found a place in entertainment where she feels like she fits in and has her own voice and has her passion. And whether you agree with it or disagree with it,” I feel like we should all be entitled to that.”
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ESPN analyst reveals how ex-colleague’s Obama comments became point of contention
In her lawsuit against her former employer, ESPN, Sage Steele accuses analyst Ryan Clark of refusing to work with her because of his opposing political views.
Clark recently admitted on “The Michele Tafoya Show” that some of the accusations were not false, but said he felt the need to clear the air.
Tafoya asked Clark about a lawsuit in which Clark allegedly refused to work with Steele after he made controversial comments on former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler's podcast in 2021.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
ESPN analyst Ryan Clark broadcasts from the field before the San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Jets game at Levi's Stadium on September 9, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
on podcastDuring an appearance on The View, Steele said he was “offended” by Barbara Walters' comment that it was “important” for him to label himself as biracial.
Steele said Walters then brought up that former President Barack Obama, who is biracial, selected “black” when filling out census forms.
“I'm like, well, congratulations to the president. That's his job. That's interesting considering his black father is nowhere to be found and his white mother and grandmother raised him. But, you know, I'm like, 'I'm going to do it,''' Steele said on Cutler's podcast.
Clark said she disagrees with Steele on many political topics, including her stance on vaccinations and Colin Kaepernick's protests, but has “no problem” with her being a conservative. he said.
“It was like ESPN's worst kept secret that Sage Steele was a conservative,” the former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back quipped.
But her comments about Obama were “the only thing” that “offended” him, leading him to talk to ESPN producers about hosting a segment together.
Sage Steele takes the stage at a Donald Trump campaign rally at Lancaster Airport in Lititz, Pennsylvania on November 3, 2024. (Getty Images)
Three people charged with selling counterfeit Jason Kelsey products
“As a black man who understands that no matter what President Obama decides to do as a person of his race, he will be seen as black across the country. If a police officer says, 'The suspect is black. 'And he will be seen as a 'tall, slender, light-skinned man,' President Obama fits that description,'' Clark said.
“He was also a man who married a black woman and raised two young black daughters. And you say, 'Why would someone with that blood in their veins want to represent that person?' “I felt it was disrespectful” culture? '”
Clark admitted that he told producers he wanted another host, Matt Barry, to “host my segment.”
“Because what I do know is that chemistry is a big part of television. It's a big part of our ability to be entertained. And for what she said… We didn’t want to show any discomfort on screen,” Clark said.
Mr. Clark said his relationship with Mr. Steele was a one-time affair and they were able to work together on a “very amicable basis” until she left ESPN. He added that they no longer speak, “but I obviously wish her the best in all her endeavors.”
ESPN's Ryan Clark chats with colleagues during the broadcast before the game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Jacksonville Jaguars at Everbank Stadium on December 4, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Peter Jonereit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“She's now found a place in entertainment where she feels like she fits in and has her own voice and has her passion. And whether you agree with it or disagree with it,” I feel like we should all be entitled to that.”
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcastplease subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
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