REPORT: Ryan Clark Calls Out Cam Newton Over His Constant Notre Dame Criticism on ‘First Take’
Ryan Clark, a former NFL safety and current ESPN football analyst, recently defended Notre Dame’s football program against criticism from Cam Newton. Newton had argued that Notre Dame should join a conference in football and claimed the Irish didn’t belong in the College Football Playoff. Clark, whose son Jordan is a starter in Notre Dame’s secondary, fired back at Newton’s remarks.
“What I love about sports media and humans in general is how hard it is to admit when we’re wrong,” Clark said. “Cam Newton can’t do that. Notre Dame went out, played Georgia—a team led by Gunner Stockton, who was expected to start all week—and not only beat them but won by two scores. They dominated both sides of the ball and out-coached Kirby Smart, who is now the gold standard in coaching since Nick Saban retired. It’s tough to admit that Notre Dame is different, just like I said they were.”
Clark also addressed Notre Dame’s performance in the Orange Bowl, continuing to defend the program against Newton’s critique. “Then they play Penn State, who not only plays in a conference but competed in their conference championship. That’s the second team in a row Notre Dame has beaten that played in a conference championship. At some point, we have to acknowledge that this team can play, and their coach, Marcus Freeman, is a star.”
I will forever love and respect Ryan Clark for how much he’s gone to bat for Notre Dame this season. Here he is again, destroying Cam Newton on First Take this morning. #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/6iRKMYxGEk
— The Irish Network (@IrishNet) January 10, 2025
Notre Dame is now just one game away from capturing its first national championship since the 1988 season under Lou Holtz. This deep postseason run marks a significant achievement for the program, which is poised to end its championship drought with one more win.