Ryan Clark (American football)

Infobox NFLactive
name=Ryan Clark
currentteam=Pittsburgh Steelers
currentnumber=25
currentpositionplain=Safety


caption=Ryan Clark during his tenure with the Redskins.
birthdate=birth date and age|1979|10|12
birthplace=Marrero, Louisiana
heightft=5
heightin=11
weight=205
debutyear=2002
debutteam=New York Giants
college=Louisiana State
undraftedyear=2002
pastteams=
* New York Giants (2002-2003)
* Washington Redskins (2004-2005)
* Pittsburgh Steelers (2006-"present")
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Tackles
statvalue1=255
statlabel2=Sacks
statvalue2=2.5
statlabel3=INTs
statvalue3=4
nfl=CLA544413

Ryan Terry Clark (born October 12, 1979 in Marrero, Louisiana) is an American football defensive back who currently plays free safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League.

College

Clark played college football at Louisiana State University. He started 36 consecutive games for LSU. In 2000, he was selected to the All-SEC second team by the league's coaches. Ranks third on the Tigers in 2001 with 88 tackles, including 63 solo. Also intercepted three passes. Recorded five tackles, including a 13-yard sack, in the Sugar Bowl. Was LSU's Special Teams Player of the Year in 1998 and signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants in the 2002 season.

NFL

New York Giants

Clark played for the Giants for two seasons, Played in the first six games of the season for Giants, all on special teams. He recorded his only tackle of the season at St. Louis (9/15). Was waived during the bye week, signed with the practice squad 2 days later and remained there for the rest of the season.

Clark had a breakout season with the Giants, starting four games and appearing in every game either on defense or special teams. He posted 23 tackles (17 solo) and one sack, two pass deflections and five special teams stops.

Washington Redskins

He signed as a free agent to the Washington Redskins prior to the 2004 season. He stepped in for injured safeties Matt Bowen and Andre Lott early in the season and played in 15 games, starting 11. He led Redskins defensive backs with 91 tackles and ranked fourth on the team in tackles.

Clark played in thirteen games in the 2005 season making 57 tackles and three interceptions.

Pittsburgh Steelers

He signed with the Steelers as a free agent on March 15, 2006 replacing former safety Chris Hope who signed with the Tennessee Titans.

In 2006, Clark made 72 tackles playing free safety for the Steelers, along with one interception and three fumble recoveries. He played 13 games and started 12 of them, missing the final three with a groin injury. During training camp before the 2007 season, he remained starter despite playing a position battle with second year Anthony Smith.

Clark, ended the 2007 season after having his spleen and gall bladder removed. Clark lost 30 pounds after the removal, but has returned to the Steelers in 2008. [ [http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_559785.html Healthy Clark sets sights on return to Steelers] ] [cite news |first= Alan|last= Robinson|title= Steelers safety Clark’s career nearly vanished|url= http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-steelers-clarkscomeback&prov=ap&type=lgns|publisher= Yahoo! Sports|date= 2008-10-09|accessdate=2008-10-09]

Personal

Was active in the community while with the Giants, participating 2002 United Way Hometown Huddle by conducting a football clinic at the Highbridge Center for members of Alianza Dominicana, a local United Way agency that services families in Washington Heights. Joined forces with students from the Leadership In Public Services High School located at Ground Zero for "Operation PaintFest." Sponsored by the Foundation for Hospital Art, the participants created paintings of hope that would later be donated to the five New York hospitals involved in the September 11th tragedies.

References

External links

* [http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/303349 Ryan Clark at NFL.com]
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6210 Ryan Clark profile in ESPN.com]
* [http://news.steelers.com/team/player/63264/ Steelers Player Bio]