Every year, the NFL Draft swings like a pendulum between dreams fulfilled and heartbreak served cold. For every family captured in joyous embraces, there’s another sitting silently, waiting for a call that never comes. In 2025, that familiar cruel twist of fate came knocking again, hitting especially hard for a family that knows the pain all too well. Jordan Clark, standout defensive back from Notre Dame and son of former Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ryan Clark, saw the draft clock expire with his phone stubbornly silent. A brutal reminder that sometimes the league’s dreams are built less on ceremonies and more on scars.
It wasn’t the storybook ending the Clarks had envisioned, but there’s another side to this coin. Not long after the 7th round wrapped, Jordan inked an undrafted free agent contract with the New York Jets, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. An undrafted free agent—three words that carry both a chip and an opportunity. It’s a journey his father knew intimately well. Ryan Clark, coming out of LSU in 2002, had dared to dream just like the other hopefuls. But he was left untouched through all seven rounds, faced with the harsh reality that he would have to carve his own name into the league the hard way.
The parallels weren’t lost on Ryan Clark. Without mentioning Jordan by name, the former Super Bowl champion posted a searingly honest message that captured the raw emotions of the moment. “Undrafted… I get it. Not being drafted suc-s. The whole thing isn’t a dream for us. They don’t invite guys like us to the draft. Hell, most of us don’t even throw get togethers, and the ones that do are pissed off they did. Just because you weren’t picked doesn’t mean that you aren’t chosen…. The beauty is you now have a chance to make this a chapter in a story that empowers.” Clark’s words hit like a linebacker filling a gap—heavy, direct, and impossible to ignore.
Undrafted…
I get it. Not being drafted sucks. The whole thing isn’t a dream for us. They don’t invite guys like us to the draft. Hell, most of us don’t even throw get togethers, and the ones that do are pissed off they did. Just because you weren’t picked doesn’t mean that… pic.twitter.com/zxn0yHXDCM
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) April 27, 2025
Clark continued with the kind of wisdom forged only through hard miles and earned respect. “You have a chance, & that chance is now. Walk into the building knowing you belong, but work like you’re the only one who knows that. Remember, just because you weren’t picked doesn’t mean you aren’t chosen. I wore it on my chest for 13 years to remind me, I wear it on my back now to remind you. Best of luck fellas. See y’all soon.” It’s a rallying cry born from the grit that built one of the NFL’s most underrated success stories—a man who not only survived the league’s cutthroat waters but thrived.
Ryan Clark’s own NFL odyssey didn’t start with fanfare either. After slipping through the draft cracks, Clark had to claw for every inch, making brief stops with the Giants and the Washington Redskins before finding a true home in Pittsburgh. Those early years were anything but glamorous—four starts in two years, fighting off roster cuts, learning to survive in a league that makes no apologies. But what followed was a story of perseverance. A 13-year career, a Pro Bowl nod, a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers, and a reputation as one of the league’s smartest, hardest-hitting safeties.
For Jordan, the road ahead is steep but paved with blueprint and belief. Signing with the Jets gives him a launchpad, and while the challenge will be immense—grinding through rookie minicamps, earning snaps on special teams, and clawing up the depth chart—the Clarks know better than anyone that the league’s best success stories aren’t always read from the first page.
What’s there for Jordan Clark in NY?
Jordan Clark is about to embark on a new chapter with the Jets, and the future is looking bright for the Notre Dame alum. Joining a defense packed with talent like Sauce Gardner and Andre Cisco, Clark is stepping into a fantastic opportunity to learn from some of the league’s top players. This is a far more favorable situation than the one his father faced back in the day. In case you didn’t know, his dad joined a struggling Giants team that could only muster 14 wins in two seasons (2002-2003).
Clark, who played six seasons—five at Arizona State and one at Notre Dame—has been making waves since his college days. Over 56 games, he amassed 176 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 22 passes defended, and four interceptions, including a pick-six. Whether as a nickel defensive back or safety, Clark showcased versatility throughout his career.
Now, he’s ready to follow in his father’s footsteps, but with a much better team around him. The Jets are about to see what this dynamic, hard-hitting, and ball-hawking rookie can bring to their defense.
The post Ryan Clark’s Powerful Message to Jordan on Jets Move as Son Falls Victim to Same Unlucky Fate 23 Years Later appeared first on EssentiallySports.