Ryan Clark is pushing back on claims that he wasn’t forced off the air after learning ESPN had fired him during a live broadcast. After TMZ reported that Clark “wasn’t forced” to leave Monday’s NFL Live and that he and ESPN mutually agreed it was “better not to return,” the former NFL star issued a blunt response on X.Ryan Clark previously threatened to leave ESPN. Kirby Lee/Kirby Lee-Imagn Images“I wasn’t forced? The Athletic reported tensions with colleague Peter Schrager—including a viral on-air spat last year—had drawn attention from network executives, who were considering letting him go. His departure prompted an emotional response from fellow ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, who said he strongly opposed the decision.