Clutch push rod question

I have a 77 250WR. I decided to pull the cover to replace the shift shaft seal and inspect the clutch. With the clutch fully removed, I can not pull the clutch push rod out? I've searched Cafe and the workshop manual but came up empty. I removed the actuator arm and the rod moves freely side to side about a 1/2" and it spins but it will not come out even if I grab it with some vise grips. Am I missing something here? What in the heck would inhibit it from sliding out? Everything looks very similar to my 81 and it's push rod just simply pulls out.

Looking down the actuator arm hole I now see that there's a ridge on the end of the push rod. Tempted to just put it back together and forget it but maybe someone has a trick?

Twisted it a million times up against a small file and ground off the flared end.