ESPN football analyst Ryan Clark set Twitter on fire Tuesday by donning a No. 7 Colin Kaepernick jersey on "Mike and Mike in the Morning."
Clark, the former Pittsburgh Steelers safety, showed his solidarity with the 49ers quarterback's ongoing protest against police brutality the morning after the release of a disturbing video showing Tulsa police shooting an unarmed African-American man with his hands in the air. The dead man was identified as 40-year old Terence Crutcher.
MORE: The worst of the worst Kaepernick takes
"I just wanted to show support for someone who I think is finally stepped out of what we want athletes to do," Clark said, according to Sports Business Daily. "So many times, you've heard people talk about Michael Jordan never saying anything or this athlete never being a part of anything or never thinking of anything great.”
ESPN doesn't want its talent to wear their political opinions on their sleeve. But Clark wore the Kaepernick jersey throughout his appearance on the ESPN2 show. Here's a photo.
Ryan Clark wearing the @Kaepernick7 jersey on set this morning. pic.twitter.com/4O9R4OBzeZ
— Mike & Mike (@MikeAndMike) September 20, 2016
Clark, and "Mike and Mike" hosts Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg, drew praise for taking such a public stand on the nationally telecast TV/radio show.
@MikeAndMike @Kaepernick7 @Realrclark25 and look at all the racists rushing to condemn u all. 😂 mad at the Kaep jersey but not cop killings.
— Bae Guevara☭ (@Kaimandante) September 20, 2016
But critics said Clark and "Mike and Mike" went too far on #ToofarTuesday.
@Espngreeny @espngolic @MikeAndMike @Kaepernick7 @Realrclark25 I'm sorry. He is a POS, FU Ryan Clark! Glad you guys think this is some joke.
— Michael Military (@RespectTroopsUS) September 20, 2016
There were those who said sports shows should stick to sports.
@MikeAndMike People watch you for sport takes. This take is old already and nothing is being done to fix whatever he wants fixed. MOVE ON
— Ronald Mexico (@RonMexico760) September 20, 2016
And others who said Clark's demonstration proves ESPN is a liberal-leaning network that's become the MSNBC of sports.
@MikeAndMike People watch you for sport takes. This take is old already and nothing is being done to fix whatever he wants fixed. MOVE ON
— Ronald Mexico (@RonMexico760) September 20, 2016
Clark took it in stride, retweeting some of the worst.
When one critic charged "Mike and Mike" was treating Kaepernick's protest like some sort of joke, Golic defended the show.Attention? I'm already paid to be on tv RT @915chris: @Realrclark25 @SLAYERREIGN this dude need a hug. Attention whore 😂😂
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) September 20, 2016
@RespectTroopsUS actually I don't think any of us have joked about any of this
— Mike Golic (@espngolic) September 20, 2016
