Hines Ward: Ryan Clark Should Sit Out This Week

No one will ever accuse Hines Ward of being soft on the football field.

He's caught passes over the middle with busted ribs; he's been dragged off the field by the training staff only to return and put his body on the line again. He regularly blocks defensive ends that outweigh him by 70 pounds and he's somehow stayed healthy despite being every defensive back's top target. So when Hines Ward says that if he was Ryan Clark, he wouldn't play this weekend, it means something.

"If it were me, no I wouldn't go," Ward said. "You know what? Football's second when it comes to someone's life. Life is more important than football to me."

The last time Pittsburgh played in Denver, Clark suffered some significant health problems because of his sickle cell condition. He eventually had to have his spleen removed, lost 30 pounds and missed the rest of the 2007 season. Doctors have cleared Clark to play this weekend, but understandably he's still trying to decide what to do when Pittsburgh plays Denver this week.

The Steelers announced on Monday that they won't be announcing anytime soon whether Clark will play--partly because it makes no sense to give the Broncos extra time to prepare, but Mike Tomlin did say that he will play a part in the decision as well. Putting it all together, it seems like there's a decent chance that Pittsburgh will be without its starting free safety next Monday night.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

11-03-2009 @ 3:00PM

thefencechild said...

i would have to agree..... football is great and a win is a win, but you only have so many organs

11-04-2009 @ 11:03AM

King David said...

Clark is as useful as balls on a priest!! He is usually found, after EVERY GAME, in the Burn Unit of any available hospital because JUST ABOUT ANYONE CAN BURN HIS USELESS SELF. He's like the pathetic so called "Offensive" line -- EVERY ONCE AND AWHILE he makes a good play, then the rest of the time he tries to live off of the glory of the play while the other team(s)move on down the field!! The same with the Offensive Line -- makes ONE good play then takes about four more to catch their breath -- no wonder Big Ben is getting sacked so much (and he's TOO BIG OF A GENTLEMAN to tell the facts so he says it's his fault because he holds the ball so long --- yes, that is what QB's are to do, hold the ball until they see a play develop, not worry that some fat slob in front of him is getting beat down by some IN SHAPE Defender!! Put somebody in Clark's place that can ALWAYS DO THE JOB -- AND WHO CAN JUMP TOO!!!!!!!!

11-03-2009 @ 7:22PM

Party with Artie said...

If Denver thought last weeks loss was tough to take wait until the steel curtain lays their hands on them.

11-03-2009 @ 8:05PM

ndowd_guy said...

The Steelers are so used to bringing teams down a notch lower than they really are and this weekend will be no exception. The Broncos have feasted on low life teams that didn't have a pulse and would rather be lucky than they are good. They are the worst 6 and 1 team in the league and will be futher exposed by a defence superior than the one they faced last week. We owe them a good whooping for the debacle back in 2005-2006 season when we went 8 and 8. They beat us pretty good back then while we were going through that first Superbowl hangover.

11-03-2009 @ 10:56PM

Thursday Night! said...

I hope he sits out. This is going to be a very hard decision for him, but he's too valuable to lose. Go Steelers!

11-04-2009 @ 7:51AM

blaydz7 said...

Hines is right---Clark should not put his health or life at risk for the sake of a football GAME.
This is a no- brainer

11-04-2009 @ 8:53AM

tonirh3248 said...

I agree, it is only a game, life is not a game, sit it out on the bench and give your moral support to the team. It would be a horrible blow to the Steelers if something really bad happened, something the team might not recover from, not to mention what it would do to your family. Don't play, please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11-04-2009 @ 9:23AM

Welcome Chimera said...

Having been a Steeler fan since I was a teenager and I am over 50 now, I have to agree with Mr. Hines. I would say, rush to play now and Mr. Clark could possibly end his career for good. Doctors may have released him but they dont have Mr. Clark's body. The doctors aren't on the field taking the hits Mr. Clark may have to take. As we know if the players on the opposite team know there is a player just coming off the injured list, he could be deemed as an easy mark to take down. This would hurt Mr.Clark and the team. Choose wisely Mr. Clark, for your football life just may depend upon it. GO STEELERS!!!!

11-04-2009 @ 9:55AM

Issy said...

My family has a history of sickle cell and trust me being in Denver almost took my sister's life. Sickle cell is serious....Ryan don't go...why take the risk...we love ya and want you to be around for a long long time. STAY OUT OF DENVER

11-04-2009 @ 10:49AM

brian said...

ndowd_guy said... The Broncos have feasted on low life teams that didn't have a pulse and would rather be lucky than they are good.

Are u kidding me they beat the great Tom Brady, and they beat Philip Rivers, this game the broncos will be hungry and the hapless steelers will fall behind the bungholes. As for Rapelessberger, he will never be in the league of THE GREAT TOM BRADY, or Peyton Manning.

11-04-2009 @ 11:14AM

Hey Brian (spelled like a girl with an "i" instead of with a "y")
HOW can you breathe with your head so far up your ass??

11-04-2009 @ 11:00AM

jasontblount said...

HEY BRIAN,YOU ARE RIGHT,YOUNGEST QB TO WIN 2 SUPER BOWLS,HE NEVER WILL BE IN THEIR LEAGUE.HE'S IN A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN

11-04-2009 @ 11:22AM

drocket747 said...

PITTSBURG WHO??????Whats our name?HAAAAAAAA

11-04-2009 @ 11:24AM

PITTSBURG WHO?????Whats our name beeches!!!HAAAAAAAAAAA

11-04-2009 @ 11:28AM

The news reported Pittsburg changing there image not a steel town anymore all closed.they are now into the high tech industry.So steelers will have to change there name to "high-tech rednecks"

11-04-2009 @ 1:06PM

pfig62 said...

Hey Drockett, speaking of rednecks ,learn how to spell, moron.

11-04-2009 @ 1:27PM

Di Strelen said...

Oi, Drocket, Pittsburg is in Kansas. In Pennsylvania it's spelled PITTSBURGH! I agree Clark should stay home. No sense risking his life over one game. That being said, GO STEELERS!!!!!

11-04-2009 @ 11:52AM

handhplymouth said...

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