ESPN’s Ryan Clark apologized Thursday morning on “First Take” for remarks he made about ex-LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy and Lacy’s alleged role in a fatal December car crash earlier in the week.
“In full transparency y’all, I knew Kyren Lacy personally. But nothing matters to me more than the truth. I always strive to do my best to mix authenticity with the most complete and up-to-date information available,” the former NFL defensive back said. “I failed to do that on Monday night based on the subsequent evidence that has been released by the Louisiana State Police Department.
“I set the highest standards of fairness, and most importantly, righteousness in my work. I didn’t meet that standard.”
Clark appeared on “SportsCenter” after the Jaguars’ win over the Chiefs on Monday night and criticized the Louisiana State Police and those who had criticized Lacy. The former Tigers wideout was charged with negligent homicide and other counts after his driving actions had allegedly caused a car crash that killed 78-year-old Herman Hall in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana.
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Last week, Lacy’s attorney went on a Louisiana TV station to say that Lacy was over 70 yards behind the crash when it happened and that the vehicle that crashed into Hall’s car was driving very close to the truck ahead of it.
Attorney Matt Ory also released a video that showed a trooper repeatedly telling the driver of the truck to make sure that he wrote down that Lacy’s green Dodge Charger made him hit the brakes.
Lacy, 24, was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in Harris County, Texas, in April after a police pursuit following an alleged altercation with a family member.
Ory’s contention that new evidence calls into question Lacy’s role in the crash prompted Clark to go on “SportsCenter” with Scott Van Pelt Monday night where Clark stated “Kyren Lacy was innocent.”
“Kyren Lacy was accused of something and being investigated for something he didn’t do,” Clark said Monday night. “And he died having to live with the guilt and the consequences of a guilty man knowing he was innocent. It recently was discovered that he was 72 yards away from the crash. That police and state policemen tried to coerce and doctor and use ways to manipulate statements that put this young man behind bars. They changed his joy, they changed his life, and eventually he took his own life.
“This was supposed to be a career but at least he was supposed to be here [in the NFL]. At some point throughout his career I would have expected to say his name. So I’m going to say his name tonight. Kyren Lacy was innocent. Kyren Lacy should be here with us. Nothing will ever repair or replace the pain that his parents have to feel and his loved ones have to feel. But we can say his name. There were so many stations that ran the fact that he was being investigated. So I wanted to make sure here, with [Scott Van Pelt] that he was an innocent man and at least know that he has that as he rests.”
Tuesday morning, hours after Clark’s comments, Louisiana State Police released an 11-minute video explaining why Lacy had been charged. The video included witness statements immediately after the crash saying that Lacy’s driving — he was previously passing cars on a two-lane road in a no-passing zone — was a contributing factor in the crash.
Van Pelt has also apologized for “the incomplete reaction” on Monday night’s “SportsCenter.” Van Pelt had recounted to Clark that he had a “visceral” reaction to Ory’s appearance.
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Lacy’s death came two days before a grand jury hearing was scheduled regarding his charges from the December crash.
