Recently, a passionate argument broke out on ESPN’s First Take over who deserves the NFL MVP award this season: Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen. Outkick founder Clay Travis wasn’t shy about sharing his thoughts on ESPN analyst Ryan Clark’s comments, and it quickly escalated into a war of words.
Ryan Clark’s Bold Take on Lamar Jackson
On Friday, the discussion centered on Lamar Jackson’s incredible performance this season, where he surpassed Michael Vick’s record for most rushing yards by a quarterback.
Clark, who has been an outspoken figure in sports media, went a step further by claiming Jackson “evolutionized” the quarterback position and deserved the MVP over Josh Allen.
He also called Jackson “the most underappreciated QB in the NFL.
” The comments sparked a heated response from Outkick’s Bobby Burack, who felt Clark was using race to elevate Jackson’s legacy while undervaluing the achievements of others.
Clark’s statement emphasized the broader historical context of black quarterbacks in the NFL.
He pointed out how Jackson’s record-breaking performance was part of a larger legacy that includes pioneers like Randall Cunningham and Michael Vick, who paved the way for athletes like Jackson.
Clay Travis Responds with Criticism
Clay Travis wasted no time reacting to Clark’s comments.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Travis unleashed a scathing critique of the ESPN analyst.
He compared Clark to Carlton from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but without the charm or dance moves.
Travis argued that Clark’s rhetoric was a shield for his own insecurities and criticized the ESPN network for keeping him on air despite what Travis considered to be a lack of talent and value.
“Ryan Clark is basically Carlton without the killer dance moves or likability,” Travis quipped.
“He’s desperately insecure and uses race as a shield to mask his own horrible insecurities.
It’s honestly sad to see.
” Travis also questioned Clark’s professional worth, claiming that his success at ESPN was more about avoiding the label of racism than any particular talent.
Is Race a Factor in the MVP Debate?
The argument over Lamar Jackson’s MVP candidacy took a more complex turn as Clark’s remarks touched on the intersection of race and sports. While acknowledging that race had historically played a role in limiting the success of black athletes, Clark suggested that Jackson’s rise as a dual-threat quarterback was a triumph not just for him, but for the broader legacy of black quarterbacks in the NFL.
Travis, however, pushed back.
He pointed out that while racism may have been an obstacle for black athletes in the past, Clark himself had not experienced those challenges as an adult.
Travis suggested that Clark was using the legacy of past racial struggles as a way to stay relevant in a media landscape that he felt was more concerned with avoiding social media backlash than having open, honest discussions.
Statistics: Jackson vs. Allen
In terms of performance, Jackson has been statistically superior to Allen in several key areas this season.
Jackson has thrown for more passing yards (3,955 compared to Allen’s 3,549), more passing touchdowns (39 to 26), and has also outpaced Allen in rushing yards (852 to 514).
However, Allen leads Jackson in rushing touchdowns (11 to 4), and some betting outlets, like ESPN Bet, have Allen as the favorite to win the MVP at -225 odds.
Clark’s Earlier Remarks on MVP Voting
Clark’s argument wasn’t limited to Jackson and Allen.
He also drew comparisons between the NFL MVP debate and past NBA MVP discussions, notably pointing to Steve Nash winning two MVPs in a period when Kobe Bryant was arguably the best player in the league.
For Clark, it seemed like a call for more acknowledgment of Jackson’s unique contributions to the game, rather than just comparing raw statistics.
A Broader Discussion on Media Bias
It wasn’t just Clay Travis who had issues with Clark’s comments.
Other sports personalities, including Jason Whitlock, chimed in to criticize the way these discussions were handled in the media.
Whitlock likened the situation to the ongoing debates around Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark earlier this year, suggesting that race often played a hidden role in shaping public opinions about athletes.
He also pointed out the way social media often dictates the tone of these discussions, making hosts and analysts hesitant to speak candidly for fear of backlash.
“Not sure if the convos would go much different if you added color.
They’re all afraid of being labeled sellouts or racist on social media,” Whitlock argued.
“You can’t have a rugged conversation when the host believes tweets and posts break bones.”
Conclusion: The Future of MVP Conversations
The debate over who deserves the MVP this year is far from over, and the role that race plays in these discussions remains a sensitive and complicated topic.
With analysts like Ryan Clark using the historical context of black quarterbacks to argue for Lamar Jackson’s place in NFL history, and others like Clay Travis pushing back against what they see as an overemphasis on race, the MVP race has become much more than a discussion about statistics.
It’s also about how we talk about athletes and the legacies they create.
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