Ryan Clark was signed as an undrafted free agent by the NFL New York Giants in 2002 after four years as a member of the Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers. He agreed to a two-year, $525,000 contract.
His rookie signing bonuses then amounted to $1,000 but was left with less than $700 after taxes. “I was [an] undrafted free agent. They gave me $1,000. I remember after the draft, only the Saints and the Giants even offered me an undrafted rookie contract. By the time I got off the phone with my agent, the Saints had pulled it.
“I remember man after taxes, it was like $683 or something… and I just remember this is when Steve Maddens was hot. That was the only thing I bought,” Clark shared on the “Funky Friday Clips with Cam Newton” podcast.
Clark’s stint with the New York Giants, however, was cut short after he was released. He was signed for one year by the Washington Redskins and played for two seasons. However, in mid-March, they chose to part ways with him in the final year of his contract.
The team later cut his wage to keep him, but knowing his worth, Clark decided to depart because he felt he was better than so many other players who were paid more. The Pittsburgh Steelers were his next stop.
He stated that joining the Pittsburgh Steelers was the easiest decision for him because it was the only one available to him. According to ESPN, the agreement included a four-year contract worth $7 million and a signing bonus of approximately $1.7 million.
His deal with the Steelers was his largest since he began playing football. It was also the first time he saw his worth reflected in his pay.
“My signing bonus was $1.7 [million] and that was my going into my fifth year…I cried all the way to the airport,” he expressed in the interview. “For me, after not being drafted, after being cut by the Giants, Washington giving Adam Archuleta — who I knew I was better than — the highest paid contract, telling me they had come back on vet minimum, it was the first time in the league I felt wanted.
“I wasn’t even crying about the money. I was just happy. I was like, ‘Finally, somebody is saying you’re at least worth this.’”
He spent eight seasons with the Steelers before returning to the Washington Redskins for one season before retiring with the Steelers in 2015. According to CBS Sports, his career stats include 643 tackles and 16 interceptions.