Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III has stirred major controversy after suggesting that Angel Reese‘s emotional reaction to being fouled by Caitlin Clark during their WNBA season opener is proof that the Chicago Sky star “hates” her Indiana Fever rival. The comment has ignited a firestorm online, further fueling an already high-profile rivalry that dates back to their days battling in college basketball’s spotlight.
The tension boiled over on Saturday in the Fever‘s 93-58 rout of the Sky, when Clark committed a hard foul on Reese in the third quarter. Reese hit the deck hard, quickly got to her feet, and visibly confronted Clark before teammates and officials stepped in.
The foul was upgraded to a flagrant 1, though Clark defended her action, calling it a “basketball play” and denying any intent to injure. Reese, postgame, also downplayed the moment, agreeing the contact wasn’t malicious and saying people should “move on” from the incident.
“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.
“I know what hatred looks like. Angel Reese HATES Caitlin Clark. Not some basketball rivalry hate either. Hate.”
Social media erupts over Griffin’s take
The reaction was swift-and deeply divided. Some, including Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, agreed with Griffin.
“Angel Reese is the WORST,” Portnoy wrote.
Others accused Reese of jealousy, with one user commenting: “Jealousy is the ugliest trait.”
But many others pushed back against Griffin’s characterization, pointing out that Reese was the one who was fouled and had every right to be upset.
“That was pretty flagrant and aggressive,” one user said. “I like Clark but that was uncalled for, that’s not basketball.”
Another added: “So Clark commits the flagrant… but Angel’s reaction is what proves she hates her? That’s the line for hate now?”
Reese and Clark‘s rivalry began in college, where they faced off in the 2023 NCAA championship, with Reese’s LSU Tigers defeating Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes. In one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament, Reese taunted Clark with her own “You Can’t See Me” gesture, fueling a media frenzy that has followed both stars into the WNBA.
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