Jemele Hill isn’t mincing words when it comes to Robert Griffin III’s recent commentary on LSU star Angel Reese. During a Tuesday appearance on The Dan Le Batard Show, the former ESPN journalist called out RGIII for suggesting that Reese “hates” Indiana Fever’sCaitlin Clark, a claim Hill says is more harmful than honest.
“This idea that Angel Reese hates Caitlin Clark is such a loaded thing to say,” Hill stated. “RGIII is entitled to an opinion, sure, but the way he framed it? It completely missed the mark.”
Griffin’s claim, rooted in what he described as “repeated, visible actions” by Reese on and off the court, sparked widespread backlash, particularly because of how such narratives disproportionately affect Black female athletes. Hill was quick to highlight that these critiques often ignore the broader cultural and racial dynamics at play.
Tensions escalate between Griffin and Clark
The controversy has gone beyond Reese and Clark, it’s also fueled a very public feud between RGIII and fellow ESPN analyst Ryan Clark. Clark, clearly frustrated, accused Griffin of being disingenuous both on the field and in the studio. “You’re a phony bro. One of the worst teammates I ever had,” Clark said in an emotional response.
Griffin, for his part, claimed Clark took things too far by making it personal. “Instead of debating my point, he personally attacked me and my family,” Griffin posted, adding, “That shows how low of a person he is.”
But Clark clarified that his critique wasn’t about Griffin’s wife or personal life, it was about what Griffin promotes on air and social media. He also emphasized that Griffin’s perspective may lack depth when it comes to understanding the unique scrutiny faced by Black women like Reese.
A bigger conversation about race and responsibility
For Hill, this moment reveals a deeper problem with how media frames conflict, especially when it involves race and gender. She argued that narratives like Griffin’s aren’t just misleading, they can fuel divisive rhetoric and harm the very athletes they claim to analyze.
As the debate around Reese and Clark continues, Hill made it clear that accountability in sports media matters, and she’s not letting this one slide.
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