Michael Clark and Sheilia Clark are the parents of former NFL player Ryan Clark. They are known for their selfless love for their children and for supporting their dreams.
American former NFL player Ryan Terry Clark was born on October 12, 1979, in Marrero, Louisiana, US, and the eldest child of his father, Michael, and mother, Sheilia Clark.
Ryan cherishes his parents deeply and holds a special place in his heart for them. He often recalls his father and mother’s sacrifices to make his life successful.
Highlights
- Ryan Clark was born as the eldest child of his father, Michael, and Sheilia Clark.
- His father, Michael Clark, worked as a valet and on the levy board in Louisiana.
- Ryan Clark has two siblings, Chaz Clark and Clemalita Jasmin. He is the father of three children, Jaden, Jordan, and Loghan.
Furthermore, the former NFL player regards his parents as his childhood heroes. In an interview in 2023, Ryan Clark talked about his parent’s struggles stating,
My childhood heroes are both my parents, Michael and Shelia Clark. The struggles they had to go through to send to me to good catholic school, and being there for me in college is remarkable.
Ryan Clark
Clark went to Archbishop Shaw High School, an archdiocesan school administered under the Salesians of Don Bosco.
Similarly, Ryan’s parents were also a part of his early football memory. Recalling an incident when he was eight. The former player said,
“When I was eight, playing at the playground. I moved up a level, so I was playing with the 10-year-olds. And my team was 0-10. My parents begged me to quit. They were like, I don’t even want to see you go through this! And it’s homecoming
Ryan Clark
Ryan Clark’s Father, Michael Clark Worked As A Valet And For Levy Board To Raise His Three Children
The former NFL player is not from a well-off family. His father, Michael Clark, worked as a valet and on the Levy Board in Louisiana, US.
Michael used to ride off to Ryan’s football games in his valet uniform and then return to work for the day. He was always there to support the player despite his highly busy schedule.
In a podcast talk, Ryan talked about his father’s struggles and sacrifices for him and his siblings, brother Chaz Clark and sister Clemalita Clark.
“You’re the best you may have been individually, but you being the best individually is not what everybody thinks is the best for them”
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) September 8, 2023
My dad worked his butt off to provide for our family, and still managed to make every game, event, important occasion. There were days he’d be… pic.twitter.com/RH0CQ4InI2
Ryan further added that his father was out of reach and difficult to locate for two weeks during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Hurricane Katrina was a devastating tropical cyclone that hit the southeastern United States in August 2005. It landed in southeast Louisiana as a Category 3 hurricane on August 29.
Describing his relationship with his father, Michael, throughout his childhood and teenage years, Ryan Clark mentioned,
My dad was involved in everything important, but he was not always around. I got my lunch money as tip money. He worked in Valet and on a Levy board and I am proud of him.
Ryan Clark
Furthermore, Ryan Clark’s mother, Sheilia Clark, is likely to be the housemaker and carer of Ryan, his father, and two siblings.
The Clark parents effectively supervised their children and encouraged them to work on their future.
Ryan Clark’s brother, Chaz Michael Clark,37, is a shipping clerk at Inralox.Inc.
Similarly, his sister Clemalita Jasmin, 44, owns Amazin Cajun Catering and tax service. She worked as an account lead for exchange communication in New Orleans from 2013 to 2015.
Ryan Clark Draws Parenting Inspiration From His Upbringing To Raise Three Children
Ryan Clark is married to his beloved wife, Yonka Clark. They have three children: Jaden, Jordan, and Loghan.
The eldest child, daughter Jaden, was born in 1999 before the couple’s 2004 marriage. Jaden is an assistant account executive at Social Factor in Austin, Texas.
She has also worked as a voice actor at Astronomers of Planet Earth. Ryan Clark’s eldest child earned her bachelor’s degree in Bachelor’s Arts from Louisiana State University.
Furthermore, Ryan and Yonka Clark’s only son, Jordan Clark, plays safety for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team.
Similarly, the youngest child, daughter Loghan 19, completed her high school education 2023 at Parkview Baptist, played volleyball, and joined the varsity girl’s team.
Ryan Clark often discusses his parenting styles and the family stories of fellow players in the Pivot Podcast, which he co-hosts with Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder.
He often mentioned the role of parents in the overall development of their children’s careers and futures, especially in sports.
Additional Information
- Ryan Clark played college football for the LSU Tigers and played NFL for New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Washington Redskins.
- As of 2024, Ryan Clark’s estimated net worth is around $6 million. His financial portfolio includes earnings from broadcasting and investments.
- Former NFL safety Ryan Clark has sickle cell trait, a genetic blood disorder that can cause physical issues when combined with altitude and playing football.
