Tensions surrounding the ongoing rivalry between WNBA stars Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark boiled over once again this weekend — not just on the court, but in the media world as well. A flagrant foul by Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark on Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese during a lopsided 93-58 win on Saturday sparked renewed controversy, with former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III (RG3) and current ESPN analyst Ryan Clark exchanging pointed, deeply personal words over the incident.
Robert Griffin III took to social media following the incident to express his strong opinion on Reese’s feelings toward Clark.
“After watching Caitlin Clark’s flagrant foul on Angel Reese and the aftermath, there is no way Angel Reese can continue the lie that she doesn’t dislike Caitlin Clark,” Griffin posted on X (formerly Twitter). “I know what hatred looks like. Angel Reese HATES Caitlin Clark. Not some basketball rivalry hate either. Hate.”
Although Griffin later clarified that his comments were strictly about basketball and labeled them as a “sports take,” the post stirred backlash and eventually drew a fiery response from Ryan Clark, a former Steelers star and now a voice on ESPN’s The Pivot podcast.
Clark accused Griffin of perpetuating a troubling narrative and aligning himself with media figures like Keith Olbermann and Dave Portnoy, who have been accused of villainizing Reese and framing Clark as a hero.
“When RG3 jumps onto the hate train or the angry train, it now follows what we saw from Keith Olbermann, what we saw from Dave Portnoy, as they poured onto Angel Reese to make her the villain, and Caitlin Clark heroic,” Clark said.
But the commentary quickly turned personal.
Clark questioned Griffin’s ability to understand the societal and racial dynamics Black women like Reese face — particularly because Griffin has been married twice, both times to White women, including his current wife, Grete Griffin, a native of Estonia.
“If you’re RG3, when is the last time within your household you’ve had a conversation about what [Angel Reese is] dealing with?” Clark asked. “You haven’t been able to do that because in both of your marriages, you’ve been married to White women.”
READ MORE: Chris Taylor Departs from Los Angeles Dodgers After Nine Memorable Seasons
Clark suggested that Griffin’s personal life may have distanced him from understanding the challenges Black women endure in both sports and society.
“You haven’t had opportunities to have those conversations to educate you on what they’re feeling… what they’re seeing when they think of a young Angel Reese,” Clark added, referencing Griffin’s past behavior and his apparent public focus on his wife’s race.
The remarks ignited an immediate response from Griffin, who fired back on social media in a video message and accompanying post.
“Ryan Clark personally attacking me and my family over a sports opinion is cowardly, spineless, and weak,” Griffin said. “You’re way out of bounds.”
The personal dispute between the two former NFL players reflects a broader cultural debate surrounding the Reese-Clark rivalry — one that’s been shaped not just by the on-court action, but also by deeper discussions around race, media narratives, and gender dynamics in sports.
Both Reese and Clark, who first gained national attention during the 2023 NCAA women’s basketball championship, have downplayed the incident. Speaking with ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the game, Clark said the flagrant foul had “nothing malicious” behind it.
Despite their attempts to cool tensions, the discourse off the court continues to intensify, fueled by strong opinions, public platforms, and now, very personal commentary.
Stay with Beyond Fiction as we continue to follow developments in this heated sports and media firestorm.
