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ESPN star Ryan Clark says Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers snubbed him in recent interaction amid long-running feud

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ESPN star Ryan Clark says Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers snubbed him in recent interaction amid long-running feud


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Ryan Clark and Aaron Rodgers share a history filled with criticism.

The latest twist in the Clark-Rodgers saga took place during the retired safety’s recent visit to Pittsburgh Steelers training camp.

During a guest appearance on the “Football America!” podcast, Clark detailed how the four-time NFL MVP gave him the cold shoulder at camp. “There was a lot of people who I felt like were excited to see me in camp. And then there was one [who wasn’t],” Clark said, in apparent reference to Rodgers.

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The feud between Ryan Clark and Aaron Rodgers is at another level. (Getty Images)

However, the current ESPN analyst and former Steelers defensive back suggested he reached a new level of respect for Rodgers after the interaction.

“It’s cool, though. It strangely enough made me respect him. I have nothing against dude, he’s fine. I was like, ‘Man, I would love to sit with him.’ I’m a part of the history there. He’s the quarterback with our team now. I actually don’t dislike him,” Clark continued.

FORMER STEELERS STAR RYAN CLARK WEIGHS IN ON MIKE TOMLIN’S COACHING FUTURE

Clark said he intended to extend some hospitality to Rodgers, but his greeting was ignored.

“I wanted to sit with him, welcome him to Steeler Nation, and just kind of have a conversation … He was talking to [Steelers offensive coordinator] Arthur Smith. I talked to some of the guys I see coming from the special teams meeting. I roll the window down and I say, ‘What’s up guys.’ Arthur Smith kind of speaks. Aaron Rodgers looks at me and he doesn’t say anything.”

Ryan Clark looks before a NFL game

Ryan Clark prior to a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 4, 2024 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn Images)

“I respected it because he was like, ‘I’m not gonna be fake,’” Clark noted. “For whatever he feels or whatever it is, he’s … not someone that I fool with in that way and I’m not going to fake it. And I think it set the tone that you and I don’t talk.”

Clark was one of the outspoken critics of Rodgers’ arrival in Pittsburgh. In June, Clark argued Rodgers landing a one-year deal with the Steelers should be considered the “worst-case scenario” for the storied NFL franchise.

Aaron Rodgers warms up

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)

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“This is the worst-case scenario for Pittsburgh Steelers fans. It continues to keep you mired in mediocrity,” Clark said. “Will this team be better? Have they gotten better in the quarterback room? Absolutely. Will they contend for that championship that Pittsburgh Steelers people and fans and organization think is the standard? No, they won’t. … They’ll be fighting for a wild card spot. They’ll probably be home week one of the playoffs and again be looking for a franchise quarterback.”

Rodgers did not appear in any of the Steelers’ three preseason games. Pittsburgh opens the regular season on Sept. 7 against the New York Jets.

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Top NFL Draft pick Zachariah Branch arrested in Georgia on two misdemeanor charges

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Top NFL Draft pick Zachariah Branch arrested in Georgia on two misdemeanor charges


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Former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch is facing two misdemeanor charges after he was arrested in Athens early Sunday. The arrest of the star receiver comes just days before he is projected to be a second-round pick in this week’s NFL Draft. 

Branch, who turned 22 just last month, was arrested by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and booked into the Athens-Clarke County Jail just before 1:30 a.m. on two charges. 

Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates with wide receiver Colbie Young after scoring a touchdown during the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Jan. 1, 2026. Ole Miss defeated Georgia 39-34. (IMAGN)

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The former Bulldogs star was charged with obstructing public sidewalks/streets – prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer. He was released after more than two hours in jail after posting $39 in bonds. 

ESPN reported that Branch attended Georgia’s spring game on Saturday. His brother, Zion Branch, is a safety for the team after both transferred there in 2025.

Branch transferred after two seasons at Southern California and immediately became quarterback Gunner Stockton’s favorite target. He finished the season with a team-high 811 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.

Georgia wideout Zachariah Branch running during NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium

Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch runs during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., on Feb. 28, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

GEORGIA FOOTBALL PLAYERS ARRESTED FOR SHOPLIFTING AHEAD OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF

In January, he announced his plans to declare for the draft.

“DAWG NATION, thank you for your unwavering support. You welcomed me with open arms. Having the opportunity to play between the hedges and winning the SEC Championship is a story only God could’ve written, and for that, I am forever grateful,” he wrote in a statement shared on social media.

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrating a touchdown catch at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates after a touchdown catch against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on Nov. 28, 2025. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)

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Branch’s status as a projected second-round pick was bolstered after an impressive showing at the combine, where he clocked a 4.35 40-yard dash.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Man City 2-1 Arsenal (Apr 19, 2026) Game Analysis – ESPN

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Man City 2-1 Arsenal (Apr 19, 2026) Game Analysis – ESPN


Erling Haaland struck a vital winner as Manchester City slashed Arsenal‘s Premier League lead to three points with a 2-1 victory over the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium.

The Norwegian pounced after 65 minutes of a compelling clash on Sunday, sparing Gianluigi Donnarumma‘s blushes after the goalkeeper had gifted Kai Havertz an equaliser following Rayan Cherki‘s opener.

It was Arsenal’s second successive defeat and City, with a game in hand, clearly have the momentum as they bid to overhaul the long-time leaders and claim a seventh title in nine years.

Arsenal, seeking their first league crown since 2004, still have the advantage of points on the board but the loss was undoubtedly a bitter blow.

City had come into the game with their tails up after capitalising on Arsenal’s slip-up last week and their fans were expectant.

Erling Haaland’s second-half goal saw Manchester City take all three points from their pivotal match against Arsenal.

(Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)


With last month’s Carabao Cup final victory over the same opponents also still fresh in the memory, the atmosphere was buoyant and City responded.

They started strongly and Haaland almost forced David Raya into an early error before having a shot blocked.

City sounded a further warning as Cherki fired at goal and his effort ricocheted off the arm of Gabriel onto a post. The hosts appealed for a penalty but nothing was given.

Arsenal threatened themselves as Cristian Mosquera headed over from a corner but City took the lead with a brilliant goal from Cherki in the 16th minute.

The Frenchman was fed by Matheus Nunes after a Rodri cross was only half-cleared and weaved around two defenders before placing a shot into the bottom corner.

It was a stunning effort but, for City, the sublime was immediately followed by the ridiculous as, just two minutes later, Donnarumma dithered as the ball was sent back to him from a throw-in.

Havertz chased what seemed an unlikely cause and was rewarded as Donnarumma’s clearance cannoned off his foot into the net.

It was the German’s first league goal since scoring against City in February 2025 but the visitors could not build on it.

Haaland missed the target and Marc Guéhi headed at Raya before Antoine Semenyo went close.

Haaland hit the outside of a post early in the second half but Arsenal did begin to step up approaching the hour.

A slick move led to Martin Ødegaard playing Havertz through on goal but Donnarumma atoned for his earlier error as he raced off his line to block. City had another let-off as Eberechi Eze curled against a post.

The game swung from end to end and City reclaimed the lead as they attacked down the left and Nico O’Reilly‘s cross was helped on by Rodri and Haaland swivelled inside the area to score.

Arsenal rallied and Gabriel thumped a header against the base of the post from a free-kick.

Tempers began to fray late on and Gabriel was fortunate to escape with a booking after pushing his head towards Haaland in a flare-up of an old rivalry.

Havertz went close to a stoppage-time equaliser but his header flew over and City held on.



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Netflix documentary director on Hulk Hogan’s Trump support and the backlash that followed him to the end

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Netflix documentary director on Hulk Hogan’s Trump support and the backlash that followed him to the end


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In his final appearance for WWE, Hulk Hogan, undoubtedly the greatest wrestler in the history of the company, was booed.

By the time Jan. 6, 2025, his last appearance, had rolled around, Hogan became outwardly supportive of President Donald Trump, which turned off some of his followers.

“But he never expressed regret. He stood by who he was,” Brian Storkel, the director of Netflix’s upcoming documentary on the late wrestler, said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital.

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Businessman Donald Trump and World Champion Wrestler Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania Vl Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey March 29 1987. (Jeffrey Asher/Getty Images)

Hogan had done five days of interviews with Netflix, totaling 25 hours. However, he will not get to see the final product, as he died in July at the age of 71.

Long before becoming an outward Trump supporter, Hogan had been involved in some controversies in the past. But from the jump, Storkel wanted to “humanize him and really get to know Terry Bollea, the person.”

“With all the subjects in my documentaries, I don’t like viewing people in black-and-white terms. Even if someone has done wrong, I don’t see them as purely good or evil. People are more complex than that, and that nuance is where the story becomes interesting,” Storkel said. “You need a subject willing to go there, reflect, and be open — and Terry was.”

Hogan began to be more public with his support for Trump after an assassination attempt in July 2024.

“He said he’d supported him quietly for a long time but felt embarrassed to wear the hat. He mentioned that the assassination attempt was what pushed him to speak out. Soon after, he was speaking publicly and took some backlash for it,” Storkel said.

Hulk Hogan speaking at the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum

Hulk Hogan, professional entertainer and wrestler, speaks during the final day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum. The final day of the RNC featured a keynote address by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. (IMAGN Syndication: USA TODAY)

WWE STARS REVEAL WHAT MAKES WRESTLEMANIA SO SPECIAL: ‘IT’S THE SUPER BOWL OF PRO WRESTLING’

Ironically, the last time Storkel chatted with Hogan was right after an interview with Trump for the documentary.

“I was at the White House, just outside the West Wing, on a call with Hulk Hogan, which was the weirdest thing. It felt like one of those surreal moments you’d imagine as a kid — a made-up story you’d tell people. I had just spent time with Donald Trump, something Hulk Hogan had set up so I could interview him, and then I’m standing there talking to Hogan about it. He was so excited it had happened,” Storkel recalled.

“At that point, he was already in and out of the hospital after surgery, so that ended up being the last call I had with him.”

Storkel admitted that not much was different about the documentary following Hogan’s death from his original plans, outside of some late tributes and more time with his son, Nick. Storkel was doing interviews for the documentary at WWE headquarters in Connecticut the day Hogan died.

“There’s also a moment in the film where I say we’ll come back in a couple of months for another interview. He agrees and walks out of frame—and that ends up being the last time. It becomes a powerful moment because you realize that follow-up never happens,” Storkel said.

But no matter the case, Storkel felt a responsibility to tell the story of the greatest.

Nick Hogan and Hulk Hogan standing together backstage at Sony Studios in Los Angeles

Nick Hogan and Hulk Hogan during VH1 Big in ’05 – Backstage and Audience at Sony Studios in Los Angeles, California. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

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“With every project, I want to be fair and accurate. Of course I want the people involved to feel good about it, but I won’t change the truth to make that happen,” Storkel said. “With Hulk, getting to know him personally made it more important to honor him properly. Yes, he was flawed and polarizing, but he was also a caring person with a big personality.

“I didn’t want his legacy reduced to a single label or judged solely on politics or past mistakes. My goal was to show the full human being. Regardless of how people feel going in, I think they’ll come away with a deeper understanding of who he was. I really valued getting to know him, and I hope the audience gets that same experience through the documentary.”

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