Washington defensive back Ryan Clark defended the atmosphere in the team's locker room after Monday night's loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and he scolded reporters for exaggerating the extent of the joking and laughing that could be heard in the room.
Ryan Clark rips media over report of Washington locker room antics
Ryan Clark chided the media and claimed he was not worried about the jocular atmosphere in the team’s locker room after Monday night’s loss.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
“...Ya’ll have no idea how somebody is supposed to behave after a loss. Ya’ll have no idea if they can laugh. If that’s right way to handle it. Ya’ll have no idea if I get pissed off and don’t want to talk ya’ll. Is that the right way to handle it? Does that show I’m upset about a loss.”
Clark, a 13-year veteran who spent the past eight seasons in Pittsburgh, reaffirmed the fact that he was less worried about his teammates’ reaction following the loss and more concerned about their commitment during practices this week.
Earlier on Wednesday, Washington coach Jay Gruden spoke to the media about his displeasure with reports that some players -- specifically wide receiver Pierre Garcon and left tackle Trent Williams -- were laughing following Monday's defeat. And he plans to look into what exactly was going on in his locker room.
Gruden responded Tuesday to a column from The Washington Post’s Jason Reid, who called out Garcon and Williams for their playful manner in the locker room while a few of their teammates looked on in amusement. The first-year coach wasn’t happy to hear his players were taking the defeat so lightly.
Gruden said he wants his players “to be sick about it” when they lose, via ESPN:
“You want people to bounce back and move on to the next week and learn from your mistakes and not ever be satisfied with a loss. Last night we played a little better, but in now way shape or form should anyone be satisfied. For anyone to be satisfied with that is absolutely wrong and I need to find out who they are so we address the situation.”
Williams also addressed the reports of his postgame attitude. For him, it’s all about simply putting a loss behind him as soon as possible.
“When the clock ticks zero, you can be mad all you want but it won’t change the outcome,” Williams said. “You just recognize your mistakes, get ready to get in the film room and get better. Losing is already miserable in itself, so after a game like this, man, we’re professionals so of course it sucks. It’s going to suck all night. But you wake up and your focus has to be on the next game.”
After Washington's 45-14 drubbing the previous week against the New York Giants, maybe there was a reason to at least be a little upbeat -- the close loss to Seattle could be something to build on. Linebacker Brian Orakpo said in the article, "We just didn't finish it in the end. The effort was there, guys were making plays."
Washington is 1-4 and has lost 12 of 13 games dating back to last season. On Sunday, the team visits the Arizona Cardinals, who are coming off their first loss of the year.
Update: Clark took to Twitter on Wednesday to further his issues with the Washington media, specifically getting into an argument with Jason Reid of the Washington Post:
You are loyal to family. When there is a problem between brothers you lock the house and hash it out w family. Not for the world to see!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) October 8, 2014 @JReidPost No my friend. What you displayed in the locker room today was an embarrassment. Before telling us how to conduct OUR business
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) October 8, 2014 @JReidPost I know you were loud , screaming and attempting to get into a another member of the medias face. You had to be retrained by the
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) October 8, 2014 @JReidPost No, I was there as Tony Wylie had to physical stand in between the two of you!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) October 8, 2014 @JReidPost No, I am done. I do need to play better than I did Monday. Said it after the game. It starts with me. I'm accountable. God bless
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) October 8, 2014 See More:
