© Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy is the latest to come after ESPN’s Ryan Clark. Last week, Clark found himself at the center of controversy when he belittled colleague Peter Schrager for being “a non-player” giving his opinion on sports.
Ryan Clark: “That’s the non-player in you”
Peter Schrager: “Don’t belittle me like that, I can come and say as three ex-players are saying one thing, and give an alternative perspective”
Ryan Clark: “Peter, what I need for you to do is not get mad and let me finish” pic.twitter.com/zbBXdNPQaI
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 5, 2025
Clark eventually apologized to Schrager after receiving intense backlash on social media.
“Today, I had an interaction with my colleague @PSchrags both on and off the air that I regret. I have apologized to Peter and taken accountability with ESPN leadership. I value working with Peter and look forward to this season. My focus will remain on professionalism, teamwork, and being a better teammate moving forward.”
On Monday, Portnoy addressed the Clark situation on his new FS1 show ‘Wake Up Barstool.”
“Ryan Clark, who’s one of the all-time jerks in the history of mankind — he is a race-baiter, you can say that. He is. The only time he’s in the news is when he’s picking fights and then apologizing…”
“I get playing the game, but there are a lot of morons who played the game, and there are a lot of bad GMs who played football, there are a lot of bad coaches who played football….I appreciate you, J-Will, saying that you don’t have to play the game to have an opinion.”
Dave Portnoy on FS1: “Ryan Clark, who’s one of the all-time jerks in the history of mankind — he is a race-baiter, you can say that. He is. The only time he’s in the news is when he’s picking fights and then apologizing…” pic.twitter.com/7OoyoSfI3Z
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 8, 2025
Portnoy isn’t the only one to call out Clark. Over the weekend, NFL Network’s Kyle Brandt fired a shot at Clark over his “non-player” comment.
Kyle Brandt: “And a special shout-out to the non-players today. We see you, we respect you, on our set, and on several others.” 🏈🎙️ #NFL
(h/t: @JeffLBaxter) https://t.co/ImKILwHsTW pic.twitter.com/XN3ef2vKlI
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 7, 2025