Steelers' Ryan Clark Exposed Stephen A. Smith As A Fake Fan: "You Can't Claim Us"

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter into AFC North play coming off a bye. They have had a week to prepare and heal up. Pittsburgh sits at 3-1 and will be hosting the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday. The Browns are 1-4, but any AFC North contest is going to be a battle. Cleveland has a stout defense, even though Pittsburgh is favored by 5.5 points over the Browns.

Popular media personality Stephen A. Smith is a self-proclaimed Steelers fan. During a segment on First Take on Friday, Smith was debating with Cam Newton and former Steelers safety Ryan Clark about the upcoming game against the Dillon Gabriel-led Browns. Clark sounded off on Smith, blasting him for being a fake Steelers fan.

Clark called out Smith for constantly switching his tone on the Steelers depending on how the team performs. He pointed out that true fans stick with the team through both the highs and the lows, something he said Smith fails to do. Clark’s comments sparked laughter from the set, but he made it clear he was serious about his point, saying that Smith’s brand of fandom is all talk and no loyalty.

"He** yeah, I wanna see Aaron Rodgers," Clark said on First Take Friday. "This is what I am talking about, Stephen A is a fake Steeler fan bruh. I don’t get it. You are like one of them people… Cam talked about it last week. It’s always a compliment sandwich."

Smith defended himself, claiming that his criticism of the Steelers comes from a place of passion and high expectations. He insisted that as a lifelong fan, he has every right to be frustrated when the team underperforms. 

The exchange quickly gained attention among Steelers fans, many of whom sided with Clark, appreciating his defense of the team’s culture and loyal fan base. Others feel that Clark is being a hypocrite himself and is guilty of doing the same things he is accusing Smith of.

"Megatron plays defensive end for them and his name is Myles Garrett," Clark said. "How are they gonna protect Aaron Rodgers at the age of 41? How is Aaron Rodgers gonna get the ball to DK Metcalf when Denzel Ward is locked up on him? At 3-1, they are in the hunt to win the AFC North… You worried about Dillon Gabriel? I told you man, you be double-dutching. You can’t claim us anymore."

Clark was making the case for why this game could be competitive, but it sounded like he was upset that Smith suggested Gabriel is a quarterback to fear. The Browns drafted Gabriel in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He made his first start on the road Sunday morning and did not look awful. Now Gabriel will be tasked with making his second start on the road in the Steel City.

Steelers' Defense Looking To Make Statement Against Browns

The Steelers' defense has not been dominant just yet. They have given up a lot of yards both on the ground and through the air. The unit is incredibly talented and highly compensated, but many Steelers fans have been expecting more lockdown moments from this defense.

They will have a chance to make a statement against a rookie quarterback at home on Sunday. This game could be an opportunity for the Steelers to tighten up their performance and show why they are favored over Cleveland, even with the Browns’ stout defensive front.

What do you expect to happen in Week 6 between the Steelers and the Browns? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.

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