Ryan Clark Announces Retirement: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Longtime NFL safety Ryan Clark announced his retirement on ESPN's NFL Live television show on Wednesday.

Scott Brown of ESPN reported the news:

Retired star safety Brian Dawkins reached out to Clark when news of his decision broke:

The NFL on ESPN noted that Clark would carry on as an analyst:

Prior to the telecast, a somewhat mysterious tweet teased Clark's retirement:

NFL.com's Dave Dameshek weighed in on the situation:

Clark spent the majority of his 13-year pro career as a free safety, known for his stellar coverage ability and willingness to step up in run support. Despite making just one Pro Bowl, the 35-year-old star has been among the best at his position.

Eight of Clark's 13 seasons were spent with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he formed a formidable safety duo with Troy Polamalu. Their presence in Pittsburgh's defensive backfield allowed coordinator Dick LeBeau's exotic, blitz-heavy schemes to thrive.

Clark was a key cog in the Steelers team that won Super Bowl XLIII following the 2008 campaign.

This last season saw Clark return to the nation's capital for a one-year stint with Washington, where he'd played for two years earlier in his career. Although the team struggled, it was still a chance for Clark to suit up for one last ride in the NFL.

The high football IQ he showed as a player should allow Clark to thrive if he continues on the path of a post-playing media career. As underrated as Clark might have been as a safety, his ongoing presence around the game should garner more appreciation over the years for how good he was on the gridiron.

Note: Statistics courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.