Ryan Clark

Ryan Terry Clark (born October 12, 1979) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL).

In 1997 he graduated from Archbishop Shaw High School.

At Louisiana State University, Clark started 36 consecutive games for the LSU Tigers football team.

He recorded five tackles, including a 13-yard sack, in the Sugar Bowl and was LSU's Special Teams Player of the Year in 1998.

In 2000, he was selected to the All-SEC second team by the league's coaches.

Clark ranked third on the Tigers in 2001 with 88 tackles, including 63 solo, and also intercepted three passes.

He played college football for the LSU Tigers, and was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2002.

Clark also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and for the Washington Redskins.

Clark went undrafted in the 2002 NFL Draft.

On April 26, 2002, the New York Giants signed Clark to a three-year, $906,000 contract as an undrafted free agent that included a signing bonus of $1,000.

During training camp, Clark delivered a late hit to teammate and rookie wide receiver Tim Carter that sidelined the second round pick for six weeks.

Head coach Jim Fassel named Clark a backup safety and a part of the special teams unit to begin his rookie season.

Clark made his professional regular season debut during the New York Giants' 16–13 loss against the San Francisco 49ers.

The following week, Clark made his first career tackle as the Giants defeated the St. Louis Rams 26–21.

On October 21, 2002, the New York Giants released Clark and replaced him with veteran safety Johnnie Harris.

On October 23, 2002, the New York Giants signed Clark to their practice squad where he would remain for the rest of his rookie season.

Throughout training camp in 2003, Clark competed for a roster spot against Shaun Williams and Ike Charlton.

Head coach Jim Fassel named Clark the primary backup safety to begin the regular season, behind starters Shaun Williams and Omar Stoutmire.

On October 19, 2003, Clark earned his first career start and deflected a single pass during a 14–10 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7.

In Week 12, he collected a season-high five solo tackles as the Giants lost 19–13 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

On December 28, 2003, Clark recorded three solo tackles and made his first career sack during a 37–24 loss against the Carolina Panthers in Week 17.

Clark sacked Panthers' quarterback Jake Delhomme for a seven-yard loss in the third quarter.

Clark finished the 2003 NFL season with 21 combined tackles (19 solo), two pass deflections, and one sack in 16 games and four starts.

On May 28, 2004, the New York Giants waived Clark after signing free agent safety Brent Alexander.

On July 31, 2004, the Washington Redskins signed Clark to a two-year, $835,000 contract as an unrestricted free agent.

Head coach Joe Gibbs named Clark a backup safety behind Matt Bowen, Andre Lott, and rookie Sean Taylor.

In Week 6, Clark became the starting free safety, alongside strong safety Sean Taylor, after season-ending injuries sidelined Matt Bowen and Andre Lott.

On November 14, 2004, Clark collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (ten solo) during a 17–10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Clark finished the 2004 NFL season with 81 combined tackles (65 solo) and a pass deflection in 15 games and 11 starts.

Throughout training camp in 2005, Clark competed to be a backup safety against Pierson Prioleau.

Clark began the season as the backup strong safety and was inactive for the first two games due to a sprained knee.

In Week 4, Clark became the starting strong safety after Prioleau sustained a hamstring injury.

Clark was inactive for the Redskins' Week 6 loss at the Kansas City Chiefs due to a chest injury.

On October 30, 2005, Clark collected a season-high 11 solo tackles, deflected one pass, and made his first career interception during a 36–0 loss at the New York Giants in Week 8.

He intercepted a pass by Giants' quarterback Eli Manning that was initially intended for wide receiver Plaxico Burress during the first quarter.

The following week, Clark recorded four combined tackles, a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Donovan McNabb during the fourth quarter of a 17–10 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9.

Clark finished the 2005 NFL season 57 combined tackles (42 solo), a career-high three interceptions, two pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and was credited with half a sack in 13 games and 13 starts.

He won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII, and made a Pro Bowl in 2011.

Clark has a sickle cell trait condition which made it dangerous for him to play at high altitudes, such as in Denver, Colorado.

Clark was born in Marrero, Louisiana.