If you’re looking for some counter-programming while patiently waiting for the NFL playoffs to return on Championship Sunday, look no further than the brewing feud between Marcellus Wiley and Ryan Clark.
On his Tuesday podcast, Wiley played a clip from ESPN’s Get Up during last season’s NFL playoffs featuring Clark calling out Josh Allen after the Buffalo Bills lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. In the clip, Clark said “At some point, Josh Allen is going to have to beat the other great quarterbacks in the AFC,” declining to give the Bills quarterback any excuses. Wiley then shared Clark’s social media post about Lamar Jackson after the Baltimore Ravens lost to Allen and the Buffalo Bills this past weekend.
You fought 8! Gave your team the chance. Had adversity in the first half & kept pushing. Did everything you had to in the 2nd half to earn extra minutes. That’s the way it goes when it’s good on good. This ain’t on you, you showed up in the most important moments @Lj_era8!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 20, 2025
After determining Clark gave Jackson a softer landing spot than the one he gave Allen last season, Wiley accused the ESPN NFL analyst of race baiting. In defense of Clark, he did first praise Allen for doing “everything he had to do to win the game” before posting about Jackson.
“Do you all see the difference in tone and intention of RC after a Lamar Jackson loss with good numbers, versus a Josh Allen when he loses with good numbers?” Wiley asked. “This is to point out the hypocrisy, the race baiting of Ryan Clark.”
Clark saw the clip, or at least the title of the clip from Wiley on YouTube which was, “Ryan Clark Caught Blatantly Race Baiting the Lamar Jackson vs. Josh Allen Debate!” and he responded.
@marcelluswiley I let you talk about me constantly because I refused to give you life. You just lie bro, & play to people that want somebody they think speaks for us to side with them! So, let me know when you want to ask me face to face about anything! I’ll even do your show!…
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 22, 2025
The response sparked a back and forth on X, leading to another YouTube clip of Wiley discussing Clark and calling out his “hypocrisy.” And as Wiley seems intent on allowing their feud to play-out in public through social media, Clark claims he keeps attempting to have a direct conversation.
I’m confused by your tone….
Ain’t this you with my drink on your shoulder @Realrclark25 when I see you out? 🧐🤷🏿♂️Please stop the tuff talkin’ on twitter. We’re both too old for that, but maybe you’re too fake to realize it. Gangsta ain’t me…and it CERTAINLY ain’t you!
So… https://t.co/WRZcR9IMjC pic.twitter.com/tOLwKDn5T9
— Marcellus Wiley (@marcelluswiley) January 22, 2025
Ryan’s Crying Apology video by a pond coming in 3…2…1…🤦🏿♂️@Realrclark25, for the 1000th time, I’m not fighting you lil’ man! So stop trying to play this tuff card for the world, it’s exposing you!
Texting yourself about me on your bat phone & screenshotting it like a… https://t.co/r3GpkhzBcE
— Marcellus Wiley (@marcelluswiley) January 22, 2025
As I thought. You just need to talk about people more important than you, but won’t speak with them. You showed me who you were in person at “Catch” and again here. Go tell your lies. Crazy that someone from @Outkick had more balls than you! https://t.co/YfGMlrTgTo
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 22, 2025
I’m done @marcelluswiley! I just called you again. You answered and hung up like the coward you are. I had time, but you don’t have heart. Anyone on this app missing the point about that was already lost to me anyway!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 22, 2025
It’s wild that @outkick, @ClayTravis & @burackbobby_ can see that conversing about differences like professional adults works, & @marcelluswiley rather laugh, and giggle for 10 extra views than have a respectful conversation. https://t.co/v7xccIFLcU
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 22, 2025
Both parties in this feud seem to have a reasonable argument. Wiley is commenting on things that Clark has said in public, either on TV or in social media posts. ESPN broadcasts Clark’s takes and opinions every day, often amplifying them on social media to welcome engagement on those takes and opinions. Wiley is now using his YouTube show to engage with those takes and opinions. This wasn’t Wiley divulging personal information or discussing anything that wasn’t already available to the public.
Clark, however, feels Wiley is purposely misrepresenting those takes and opinions to keep driving traffic to his YouTube page, which already has more than 300,000 subscribers. To clear up any misconceptions, Clark is willing to have a conversation and offered to have the talk privately or publicly on Wiley’s show. And if Wiley is going to accuse someone of race baiting, giving them an opportunity to discuss their stance would seem reasonable.