ESPN analyst Ryan Clark was forced to issue an apology after a new video angle shows Louisiana State University wide receiver Kyren Lacy caused a deadly head-on collision on Dec. 17, 2024.
Louisiana State Police issued an arrest warrant for Lacy after he fled the scene without contacting authorities. He was arrested on January 12, and released on the same day on a $151,000 bond.
Lacy faced charges of negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run with death, and reckless operation of a vehicle.
The former LSU standout took his own life on April 12, 2025, following an altercation with a female family member. He was 24.
On Monday, a lawyer representing Lacy’s family released edited video that appeared to show Lacy’s green Charger was far behind the Jan. 10 head-on collision when it happened.
Numerous celebrities, including former LSU women’s basketball player, Angel Reese, LSU football coach, Brian Kelly, and the local NAACP and Black Caucus called for new investigations into the crash to exonerate Lacy.
However, on Tuesday morning, the Louisiana State Police released the full video that shows Lacy driving on the wrong side of the road and passing multiple vehicle moments before two other vehicles collided head-on killing a 78-year-old man.
ESPN viewers called for Clark to be fired immediately after he declared “Kyren Lacy was innocent” during Monday Night Football on Oct. 6.
Clark criticized people who rushed to judgement against Lacy. Co-host Scott Van Pelt agreed.
Kyren Lacy was supposed to be on a NFL field this weekend. That made it important to say “Kyren Lacy was innocent” on ESPN before the night ended. His name and face were plastered everywhere when he was under investigated. So it’s only right we say it now!
There’s no amount of… pic.twitter.com/P9ddR97iU9
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) October 7, 2025
Clark apologized Thursday morning on “First Take.”
“In full transparency, y’all, I knew Kyren Lacy personally,” Clark said, “but nothing matters to me more than the truth. Always strive to do my best to mix authenticity with the most complete-up-to-date information available. I failed to do that on Monday night, based on subsequent evidence that has been released by the Louisiana State Police Department. I set the highest standards of fairness, and most importantly righteousness in my work. I didn’t meet that standard.”
Watch the full video below.
JUST IN: New video evidence appears to contradict claims made by ESPN announcers and the lawyer for LSU star Kyren Lacy for his alleged part in a deadly 2024 car crash.
Lacy sadly took his own life following a deadly car accident in December of 2024.
Lacy's attorney, Matthew… pic.twitter.com/OP5dQXcrf3
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 7, 2025
