By Bob Smizik | Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.
Ryan Clark didn't play a down in the Steelers win over Denver last night but he's a guy who keeps coming up larger and larger with his words and actions off the field.
Clark was on the sideline for the Steelers' 28-10 win over the Broncos because his health is endangered playing in the high altitude of Denver. But that didn't stop the cameras from focusing on him as he celebrated the success of his replacement, Tyrone Carter.
Carter intercepted two passes, the first for a key touchdown, and no one was happier for him than Clark.
A lesser man -- say, Anquan Boldin of the Arizona Cardinals -- might have been worried about his job in the light of Carter's success. Not Clark.
``I'm excited for him. He did an awesome job. I'm just proud of him.''
Then he said something truly amazing.
``I might be like Wally Pipp. I'd better get back fast.''
Wally Pipp might be immortalized in sports lore for what happened to him, but for a modern-day athlete to know who about Pipp is truly amazing. I'd venture to say many people reading this blog, super sports fans, aren't aware of Pipp.
Pipp was a first baseman for the New York Yankees in 1925 and for the 10 seasons before that. One day he was sick and had to be replaced. His replacement was Lou Gehrig, who went on to play 2,130 consecutive games -- the equivalent of almost 14 seasons.
Pipp became immortalized as the guy who took a day off and never got back on the field (although he did with another team later in his career).
Clark was sharp enough to draw the analogy between Pipp and himself, which, no disrespect intended, amazes me.
As well as Carter played, though, I don't think Clark has to worry about losing his job. He'll be back on the field Sunday when the Steelers play the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Anquan Boldin reference earlier was to the Arizona Cardinals wide receiver who whined that he was deactivated Sunday -- after practicing sparingly during the week -- in an Arizona victory. What a guy!
Boldin is said to be in a bad mood because the Cardinals have not offered him a contract extension. That's another area where he could learn a lesson from Clark.
Clark will be a free agent at the end of the season and the Steelers have not talked seriously with him about an extension. Clark might not be happy with the situation but he's a true pro and understands. Here's what he said earlier this season about his contractual situation with the Steelers. It bears repeating.
``The organization is going to do what's best for them from a business standpoint, and I think they're trying to do the best they can in keeping the core together.
``As for me, you just finish playing football. Nothing I can do. I want to be here; I made that known. I'm tired of moving, my wife is tired of moving, my son plays tailback and free safety on his little community team, I'm excited to watch that.
``We love it here, we want to be here and we'll see what happens."
``In this situation, I hold no cards. My job as husband and father is to provide for my family and this is the way I do it. I'm not going to pitch a fit and not show up. I love the guys I play with, I love this organization and more importantly I have a responsibility.''
Posted
Nov 10 2009, 09:53 AM
by
Bob Smizik