Former NFL player turned analyst Ryan Clark strongly criticized Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry for his involvement with LSU football and a proposed statue of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“You Don’t Know Anything About Football”: Ryan Clark Slams Charlie Kirk Statue Proposal at LSU (Image via X/awfulannouncing)
“You Don’t Know Anything About Football”: Ryan Clark Slams Charlie Kirk Statue Proposal at LSU (Image via X/awfulannouncing)
Clark called the statue idea “the first dumb thing he said this week” and Landry’s broader interference in LSU athletics “the second dumb thing.”
Clark made his comments onESPN’s First Take, arguing that Landry overstepped by inserting himself into the school’s coaching search and campus culture. The incident highlights the growing tension between sports leadership and political agendas.
Ryan Clark responds to Gov. Jeff Landry vowing to keep LSU AD from hiring next coach
“Second most ridiculous thing he said this week. The first was standing on campus and saying he wanted to put a statue of somebody (Charlie Kirk) that doesn’t represent the people of Louisiana” pic.twitter.com/vbLmKU1AlF
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 30, 2025
Clark said Landry’s push for a statue of Charlie Kirk on campus ignored the perspectives of players, students, and the people of Louisiana.
I’m calling on @LSU to honor the legacy of Charlie Kirk by putting up a statue of him on campus.
There is no better warrior for free speech than Charlie Kirk, and we must continue his legacy on every campus in America. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/SqzwVaEfZU
— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) October 28, 2025
“You don’t know anything about football,” Clark told the governor, emphasizing that social and governance issues in the state deserved far more attention than commentary on Tiger Stadium.
He also defended Athletic Director Scott Woodward, praising his track record of championships and insisting Woodward should select the next coach without political interference.
Clark sees the episode as an example of politics attempting to shape athletic programs instead of staying on the sidelines.
The governor’s actions have drawn considerable attention to the proper role of political figures in college athletics.
Some argue that public statements and interventions risk distracting from academic goals and coaching priorities at one of the nation’s leading programs. Clark emphasizes that players, staff, and fans want leadership focused on sports, not entertainment.
For Clark, the issue is personal. As an LSU alum, seeing politics injected into his alma mater’s athletics triggered a strong response. His public outburst may serve as a warning to other political figures not to confuse sports leadership with public relations stunts.
Football Fans Push Back on Political Takes During Sports Coverage
Fans were quick to react after Clark criticized Governor Landry and the proposed Charlie Kirk statue at LSU. Opinions poured in online as viewers debated his take.
One fan just could not agree with Clark as hesaid, “Apology incoming… No reason to refer to Charlie Kirk on a sports network.”
A second fanadded, “Ryan Clark… saying someone else is ‘poking their nose into something they know nothing about’ is peak irony.”
Others pointed out the repetitiveness of the message, with onenoting, “Put a wig on Ryan Clark and you’ve got ESPN’s Jasmine Crockett — same script, different set,” while anotherwrote, “Ironic that the crux of his take is that people who aren’t qualified to give opinions should stay in their lanes.”
Not everyone was willing to tolerate Clark’s perspective on the issue. A fansummed up the sentiment: “Ryan Clark really trying to force his stance on Charlie Kirk into an LSU football conversation? Whenever RC is on TV I just change the channel. I made the right choice.”
The reactions reveal that viewers are divided not just on the topic itself, but on how and when political commentary intersects with sports discussions. Fans’ frustration and disbelief underline the fine line analysts must walk when blending opinions with athletic coverage.