ESPN’s Ryan Clark did not hold back his disappointment with former Pittsburgh Steelers teammates Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell after the two publicly supported Donald Trump over the weekend. Brown and Bell appeared at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, a critical swing state, ahead of the 2024 election, endorsing the former President in his bid to secure key votes.
Their involvement didn’t end there; on Sunday night, both accompanied Trump to the Steelers-Jets game, making their support even more visible.
Clark, who once shared the field with both Brown and Bell during his Steelers career, made his disapproval clear. Known for his candid takes, Clark took to social media to criticize the duo for aligning themselves with Trump, contrasting them with other Steelers legends who have taken different political stances.
“Former Pittsburgh Steelers are split on the Presidential election,” Clark tweeted. “One side has Mean Joe Greene, Jerome Bettis, and the family of Franco Harris supporting her [likely referring to a different candidate]… and the other has Le’Veon Bell & Antonio Brown.”
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He concluded his message with a pointed remark: “Different class of folks for sure.”
Clark’s comment, implying a stark contrast in character between the two groups of former Steelers players, quickly went viral, with fans and media picking up on the underlying tension.
Antonio Brown, never one to shy away from confrontation, fired back at Clark on social media, defending his political choices and reminding Clark of their shared history on the field. Brown’s response only fueled the online debate, with fans taking sides in the heated exchange.
The clash between Clark, Brown, and Bell underscores the broader division within the sports community when it comes to politics, especially when prominent athletes choose to endorse high-profile candidates.
While Clark’s criticism was sharp, it reflects the larger conversation around athletes using their platforms to express political views and the reactions they receive from both supporters and critics.
For Brown and Bell, their support for Trump is another chapter in their post-Steelers careers, where both have stayed in the spotlight for reasons beyond the football field.
As the election draws nearer, their involvement in Trump’s campaign could continue to spark controversy, especially as more former athletes and teammates weigh in on their political stances.
