Time to Recognize: Ryan Clark’s First Pro Bowl Selection is Well Deserved

In a day and age where players who choose not to participate in the NFL’s annual All-Star game become more of a headline than those who do—this career accomplishment may prove to be insignificant.

Not for Ryan Clark.

Clark came into the league as an undrafted free agent out of LSU in 2002. He was signed by the New York Giants and played in the teams first six games before being cut during the bye week. Two days later the Giants re-signed him to the practice squad where he remained for the rest of the season.  Much like many NFL players who scratch and claw their way to notoriety, his emergence has been no different.

In 2006, after a two-year stint with the Washington Redskins, Clark signed on with his current team—the Pittsburgh Steelers.  The Steelers would go on to give him an opportunity for the consistent playing time he had been longing for. His inaugural season in the Steel City proved to be his breakout campaign.  After registering 72 tackles in 12 starts, he entered the 2007 season in a heated position battle…a battle that he would ultimately end up winning.

Everything seemed to be falling into place. He had endured the uphill crawl of the NFL roller coaster ride and was poised to make the 2007 season the 300-foot drop.  Instead, he found himself bracing for a towering unexpected loop. After a game in Denver versus the Broncos, he was rushed to a local hospital after feeling ill.  Clark, who suffers from a sickle cell condition, was feeling the effects of a flare up that was triggered by high elevation. The game was played at an altitude of 5,280 feet.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a disorder that effects hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that delivers oxygen to cells throughout the body. When red blood cells “sickle” they break down prematurely which can lead to bouts of anemia, infection and pain.   It is possible for sickle cell trait carriers to never feel the effects of the disease, however, in some cases the symptoms can be severe and life threatening. Clark’s case was rare in that exerting excessive amounts of energy at high altitude created complications with SCD.

His sickle cell trait prevented oxygen from reaching parts of his spleen.   He had emergency surgery to remove his spleen and weeks later he also had to have his gallbladder removed. He lost 35 pounds and was put on injured reserve, ending his 2007 season.

Since 2007, the Steelers have played the Broncos in Denver three times; a Monday Night Football game in 2009, a preseason game in 2010 and most recently, the 2012 AFC Wild Card Playoff Round.  On all three occasions, the Steelers have sat an otherwise healthy Clark, despite being medically cleared to play by doctors.

“It’s a tough decision,” Clark told the Associated Press in 2009. “Tough to go home and tell your wife that’s been worried about you that you’re going, and it’s tough for me to tell the guys that I don’t want to play even though I’ve been cleared.”

He has dealt with his ongoing health concerns, he has won a Super Bowl, he remains a locker room and fan favorite. His interviews on the Jim Rome Radio Show are some of the best I have ever heard.  Always compelling. Always personable. He has endured every single peak and valley a professional athlete can seemingly come across.

However, when playing on a team with other defensive superstars such as Troy Polomalu and James Harrison, it has been difficult for Clark to establish the type of recognition outside of his locker room that he has deserved for many years.

No longer.

After Baltimore Ravens Safety Ed Reed bowed out of this weekend’s game in Honolulu due to injury, Clark, now a 10-year veteran, was anointed to his first career Pro Bowl.  He led the Steelers #1 ranked defense with 100 total tackles while adding one interception and one sack.

Upon hearing the news, Clark tweeted out, “”HAWAII!!!!!!! God is so good!! 1st pro bowl!! It’s a great day to be alive!!”

For many NFL players being selected to the Pro Bowl is just a reason to make an excuse of how they can’t go.  The incentive to appear and perform at even a “decent” level is minimal at best. However, every once in a while a selection has purpose, where the recognition has heart and soul.

This is one of those times. Congratulations Ryan.