By ALAN ROBINSON
AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH(AP) -- Steelers safety Ryan Clark planned to played in
Denver despite nearly losing his life after a game in the
high-altitude city two years ago. He also said he's not unhappy
coach Mike Tomlin chose to hold him out.
Clark had medical clearance to play even though he lost his
spleen, gall bladder and 30 pounds in 2007 after playing in
Denver triggered a sickle cell-trait condition that is
aggravated by exertion in thin air.
Clark suspected he wouldn't play when Tomlin reduced his
practice repetitions last week. Tyrone Carter replaced Clark and
had two interceptions in the Steelers' victory, including a
48-yard touchdown return.
"That just means he (Tomlin) is smarter than I am because
obviously I'm standing right here now, no ill effects at all,"
Clark said Wednesday before practicing for Sunday's game against
the Bengals. "He told me, `It won't be on you to make the
decision.' That's why I said last week that even if I want to
play, I might not."
When the Steelers' schedule was released last spring, Clark and
wife Yonka began debating what to do about the Denver game. They
finally decided he would try to play if doctors allowed it, but
Tomlin wasn't comfortable with the idea - apparently because no
doctor could assure him Clark was risk-free.
"I wouldn't have played the whole game," Clark said. "I would
have been kind of on a pitch count, maybe play third downs. But
I wanted to play."
Nearly all of Clark's teammates urged him to sit out.
"I think it was a smart move by coach," Clark said. "I
appreciated the fact that he took it out of my hands. It kind of
gave me a way to breathe either way. ... I didn't feel like I
chose (not to play) because coach Tomlin made the decision.
Also, if I do play and I get sick, I couldn't live with that,
either. So I appreciated what he did and now it's time to move
on."
During pregame drills, Clark ran wind sprints and exerted
himself so the medical staff could monitor his reaction. He
reported no problems.
"Got a lot of tests run just so we could have more information
how my body would react without a spleen and a gall bladder,"
Clark said. "I ran laps, I ran sprints, getting things tested,
my oxygen level tested. They tried to simulate some form of
play, but it's not the same intensity as chasing (Broncos
receiver) Brandon Marshall on third down or the anxiety that
comes along with that."
Denver is the only NFL city where Clark has had trouble playing
because of his condition. He talked before the game with Broncos
coach Josh McDaniels, who good-naturedly told Clark that he
hoped he got to play in a playoff game in Denver later this
season.
"I don't plan on us going out there anyway," Clark said. "We're
just going to try to win the rest of them so I don't have to
play (there)."
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