As an LSU alumnus, ESPN analyst Ryan Clark has been deeply engaged in the discussion surrounding the death of former Tigers wide receiver Kyren Lacy, who passed away in April. Clark has also closely followed the controversy tied to Lacy’s alleged role in a December car crash that killed 78-year-old veteran Herman Hall of Thibodaux, Louisiana.
During Monday night’s SportsCenter, which aired immediately after Monday Night Football, Clark publicly defended Lacy, declaring his belief in the player’s innocence. His comments came just days after Lacy’s attorney released video footage claiming that Lacy was 70 yards away from the crash scene when the fatal accident occurred.
However, the Louisiana State Police quickly disputed those claims, releasing additional footage that contradicted the attorney’s account. The new evidence suggested that Lacy’s reckless driving may have been a factor in the collision. Police also made public body cam footage from witnesses at the scene, who specifically blamed Lacy’s lime green Dodge Charger for contributing to the tragic crash.
On Thursday morning, after speaking with both Kyren Lacy’s representatives and the Louisiana State Police, Ryan Clark publicly apologized for his earlier remarks. The ESPN analyst acknowledged his mistake and sought to clarify his intentions regarding his comments about the case.
Clark delivered the apology during the first hour of ESPN’s First Take, addressing the controversy that followed his statements on Monday night’s SportsCenter. He expressed regret for how his words were received and for commenting before having all the facts.
The former LSU standout emphasized that his goal was never to interfere with the investigation or cause further pain to those affected by the tragedy. Instead, he said he hoped to show compassion for a fellow Tiger while recognizing the need for accountability and truth.
During his Thursday morning appearance on ESPN’s First Take, Ryan Clark delivered a sincere and emotional apology regarding his earlier comments on the Kyren Lacy case. He began by acknowledging the tragedy at the heart of the story, saying, “Two lives have been lost. Herman Hall, a man who spent his life in service of others, and Kyren Lacy, a young man I wish I could tell how much he had to live for. My heart absolutely breaks for both of them, their families and their loved ones.”
Clark admitted that his personal connection to Lacy, whom he knew personally from their shared LSU ties, made the situation even more difficult. Still, he emphasized that his commitment to honesty and fairness must always come first. “Nothing matters to me more than the truth,” he said. “I always strive to mix authenticity with the most complete and up-to-date information available. I failed to do that Monday night based on the subsequent evidence released by the Louisiana State Police Department. I didn’t meet the standard of fairness and righteousness that I set for myself.”
He went on to explain that he had spoken with both Lacy’s representatives and a Louisiana State Police official to better understand the ongoing investigation. However, due to active litigation, he was told that no further details could be shared. Clark closed by reaffirming his responsibility as a journalist to be accurate and thorough, admitting, “It’s always important to me that I gather all factual and important information to provide the complete story… When discussed in real time Monday evening, I failed to do so. And for that, I apologize.”
On Tuesday, the Louisiana State Police released newly obtained surveillance footage related to the car crash that led to the arrest of former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy. The video shows a lime green Dodge Charger, identified by police as belonging to Lacy, traveling at a high rate of speed in the opposite lane of a two-lane road.
In the footage, the Charger is seen passing three vehicles and an 18-wheeler in quick succession before disappearing from view. Just moments later, a loud crash can be heard off-camera, marking the impact of the collision that resulted in the death of 78-year-old Herman Hall of Thibodaux, Louisiana.
Authorities say the video provides crucial evidence supporting their claim that reckless driving played a role in the fatal accident. The release of the footage follows days of public scrutiny and debate surrounding the case, including recent comments and an apology from ESPN analyst Ryan Clark, who initially defended Lacy’s innocence before the new evidence came to light.
The Louisiana State Police has consistently asserted that Kyren Lacy’s reckless driving and excessive speed triggered the fatal crash. According to investigators, Lacy’s actions forced a female driver in a Kia Cadenza to swerve in an attempt to avoid his vehicle, leading her to collide head-on with Herman Hall’s Kia Sorrento, resulting in Hall’s death.
As part of their Tuesday evidence release, the LSP shared additional body cam footage from officers who responded to the scene. One video shows the injured female driver lying on the ground, speaking with police and explaining that she swerved to avoid a Dodge weaving through traffic.
Another clip captures multiple bystanders telling officers that the green Charger was responsible for the accident, with several witnesses stating, “the green Charger caused all this,” according to TMZ. These new details further support the LSP’s account of events and contradict earlier claims suggesting Lacy was uninvolved in the deadly crash.
One witness at the scene recalled the moment leading up to the fatal crash, saying, “He went around the truck, and she had no choice she hits the pole to the right or she hit (Hall),” according to video released by the Louisiana State Police.
Following the investigation, Kyren Lacy was formally charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run, and reckless driving.
In a statement and accompanying charging documents, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office reported that Lacy was illegally passing multiple vehicles when a northbound pickup truck abruptly braked and swerved to avoid a head-on collision with his Dodge Charger. The maneuver set off the chain reaction that ultimately led to the deadly wreck, the department said in its press release.
The 24-year-old Kyren Lacy was slated to appear before a Baton Rouge grand jury in mid-April, just a week before the 2025 NFL Draft. However, tragedy struck when the former LSU wide receiver died by suicide on April 12, following a high-speed car chase with police in the Houston area.
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