Twitter erupts after ESPN's Ryan Clark wears Colin Kaepernick jersey on air

Michael McCarthy

Twitter erupts after ESPN's Ryan Clark wears Colin Kaepernick jersey on air image

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.

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.

But critics said Clark and "Mike and Mike" went too far on #ToofarTuesday.

There were those who said sports shows should stick to sports.

And others who said Clark's demonstration proves ESPN is a liberal-leaning network that's become the MSNBC of sports.

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.

Michael McCarthy

Michael McCarthy Photo

Michael McCarthy is an award-winning journalist who covers Sports Meda, Business and Marketing for Sporting News. McCarthy’s work has appeared in The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC.com, Newsday, USA TODAY and Adweek.