‘We Have to Keep Him’: Fuming Stephen A. Smith Says He Battled ESPN Management Not to Fire Ryan Clark

Stephen A. Smith made it clear Tuesday he was very disappointed in ESPN’s decision to include Ryan Clark in its latest round of layoffs.

Clark was one of several high-profile on-air personalities cut by the company. Casualties of the layoffs also included Cam Newton, NFL insider Tom Pelissero, and longtime MLB announcer Karl Ravech.

In a video posted on his YouTube channel Tuesday afternoon, Smith revealed he told ESPN executives he was not pleased that Clark was part of the layoffs. The former Pittsburgh Steeler was a key component of the Emmy-winning show NFL Live, and regularly made appearances on ESPN’s morning talk shows — including Smith’s First Take.

“He’s a man, and so he’s gonna handle it the way men do, and we understand that,” Smith said. “But I’m going to miss him. I am not happy about this decision one bit. The bosses know I’m not happy about this decision. I’ve made that very, very clear. But it’s also important that myself, and anybody else in the world of business, be grown-ups and understand that these are the kind of things that happen when layoffs happen.”

Later on in the video, Smith revealed his bosses asked for his feelings about the layoffs. He didn’t mince words when it came to Clark.

“I don’t know of the other names coming down the pike,” Smith continued. “I was hopeful his name would never come down the pike. Was I asked what I thought what my feelings were? Yes, I was. And of course I said, ‘We have to keep him.’ But I don’t get to make those decisions, and I don’t get to ignore the fiscal and financial circumstances and ultimate ramifications that come with the job. That’s for the dudes way above me, and the ladies.”

Watch the clip above.

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