Ryan Clark was forced to respond after a viral post sparked heated debate across social media over an alleged comment suggesting Black college athletes avoid schools in conservative-led states, accused of redistricting and gerrymandering in ways critics say negatively impact Black communities.
The NFL champion took to Twitter on May 10 to clarify that he is not behind a quote being widely shared on the platform.
“Black college athletes need to stop signing with schools in states that gerrymander districts to block Black representation,” the alleged quote reads.
This👇🏾 @Realrclark25 pic.twitter.com/jNQZJw0FYq
— Eddie S. Glaude Jr. (@esglaude) May 9, 2026
What led many people to believe Ryan Clark made the statement was a post from distinguished professor Eddie S. Glaude Jr., who shared the quote while tagging the former NFL star and The Pivot Podcast host.
However, a day after the post gained traction online, Clark sent out a tweet clarifying that he never made those comments about Black college athletes or where they should choose to play.
“The quote and graphic using my face & name is fake. It’s a lie!” he declared.
Always weird to have to say this. I have made no statement about where college athletes should or shouldn’t play. The quote and graphic using my face & name is fake. It’s a lie!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) May 11, 2026
I post enough on social. If it’s not on my profile I didn’t say it. Lots of cameras around me. There…
Redistricting battles across the United States have become a major source of political division, especially as critics accuse lawmakers in both parties of using gerrymandering to strengthen power and weaken the voting influence of certain communities. Much of the outrage has centered around claims that newly drawn voting maps disproportionately impact Black and minority voters by splitting communities apart or reducing their political representation.
As these fights continue to play out in courts, state legislatures, and on social media, they’ve fueled growing frustration among Americans who believe the political system is becoming increasingly polarized and less representative of everyday voters.
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