Ryan Clark claims he was told not to finish 'NFL Live' taping after ESPN layoff

Ryan Clark was informed he was among ESPN's layoffs during a Monday, July 20 episode of "NFL Live."

Clark did not finish the show and made it clear he was not given the option to complete his appearance on the program.

Clark outlined exactly how things went down in a Wednesday, July 22 post to social media where he quote-posted a TMZ report that he had not been forced off the air.

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"I wasn't forced? I ask, 'should I be done now?'" Clark detailed in his post. "The answer was 'yes'."

Clark's post marks his first public comments about the nature of his layoff. He initially addressed ESPN's culling in a different social media post.

"Sending prayers and love to all those laid off today by ESPN," Clark said on X. "So many of you have poured your life into that company, & I know how you’re feeling right now.

"My hope is as this door closes another opens for you all. God bless!"

That post came after Clark provided a "proof of life" post on Instagram, which showed him working out and expressing that his "peace is with God" after his departure from ESPN.

"Before the madness of yesterday, I woke up, got in my Tundra, drove to Planet Fitness, and got to work," Clark said. "The rest of the day was eventful, but the journey continues. My peace is with God, and my humility comes from within. I’ll continue to build myself so the world can never strip me of what’s real."

"Get moving today y’all!"

Clark was among the many notable layoffs among ESPN's NFL-related programming. The company also parted with long-time fantasy analyst Stephania Bell, former New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott, former Carolina Panthers quarterback turned "First Take" talent Cam Newton and a couple of talents it acquired from its purchase of NFL Media, Tom Pelissero and Charles Davis.

USA TODAY Sports' Nick Brinkerhoff also contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ryan Clark claims he was told not to finish 'NFL Live' taping after ESPN layoff