Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III has sparked controversy after claiming Angel Reese’s furious reaction to being fouled by Caitlin Clark proves she ‘hates’ her fellow WNBA star.
Reese and Clark’s long-running rivalry added another chapter on Saturday when the two women’s basketball stars clashed on the court in the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever’s highly-anticipated season opener.
After being sent tumbling to the floor by her nemesis, Angel leapt to her feet and angrily confronted the Fever star before her teammates and an official quickly intervened.
Clark’s foul was soon upgraded to a flagrant one, a decision she disagreed with after insisting it was merely a basketball play and by no means ‘malicious.’
And having cooled down after Chicago’s resounding 93-58 defeat, Reese agreed with her adversary while urging people to ‘move on’ from the incident.
However, Griffin has divided opinion online by insisting Angel ‘can’t continue the lie that she doesn’t dislike Caitlin.’
Angel Reese has proved she ‘hates’ Caitlin Clark, says ex-NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III
Reese was left furious after being shoved to the floor by Clark in their WNBA season opener
The former Washington, Cleveland and Baltimore passer said in light of their dramatic bust-up: ‘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.
‘I know what hatred looks like. Angel Reese HATES Caitlin Clark. Not some basketball rivalry hate either. Hate.’
A number of users agreed with Griffin’s take, including Barstool Sports founder and die-hard Clark fanatic Dave Portnoy.
Portnoy wrote on X after the on-court spat: ‘Angel Reese is the WORST’.
Another user also commented on Griffin’s post: ‘Jealousy is the ugliest trait’.
While one put: ‘The fact that they called that a flagrant is a damn joke.’
However, other fans hit back at Griffin and reminded him that Reese was the one fouled on the court.
‘That was pretty flagrant and aggressive,’ argued one. ‘I like Clark but that was uncalled for, that’s not basketball’.
‘That’s wild that that’s your take away from her receiving that flagrant foul… I mean what player doesn’t react at times to a hard foul,’ said another.
Griffin believes the Chicago Sky player ‘can’t continue the lie she doesn’t dislike’ her arch-rival
Both Reese and Clark were quick to play down the fiery incident after being quizzed on it
While one asked Griffin: ‘So Clark commits the flagrant which isn’t that crazy but Angel’s reaction is what proves she hates her? Not the foul or the play but just her being upset? That’s the line for hate now?’
Reese and Clark have brought their rivalry from the college ranks with them into the big leagues, having famously clashed on the court during LSU and Iowa’s NCAA Championship game in 2023.
In a memorable moment, Angel performed Caitlin’s trademark ‘You Can’t See Me’ celebration right in her face as she helped LSU claim victory on the night.
Last season they also went head-to-head for the coveted WNBA Rookie of the Year award, with the Indiana sensation ultimately coming out on top.
However, their competitiveness turned ugly when Chicago player Chennedy Carter brutally shoved Caitlin to the ground at one stage in the 2024 campaign, before Angel appeared to walk away laughing with her teammate about it afterwards.
A number of analysts claimed the frenzy surrounding Clark and Reese had turned into a race war, yet they managed to brush all that aside and play together in last year’s WNBA All-Star Game.
