It's no secret that Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have a heated rivalry dating back to their days in college. But one ex-NFL star is of the mind that Chicago Sky forward "hates" her 2024 draftmate.
In a lengthy rant on the dynamic between the two popular women's basketball players on his "Outta Pocket with RGIII" podcast, Robert Griffin III claimed that much of what we saw on Saturday was the result of "jealousy," "hate" and "resentment" building up on Reese's end.
"Angel Reese hates Caitlin Clark," Griffin stated. "It's staring us all right in the face, but people are afraid to say it."
"Won't answer questions about Caitlin Clark. Gets mad when people praise Caitlin Clark for the explosion of popularity around women's basketball. Celebrates when her teammates flagrantly foul Caitlin Clark. Goes after and tries to punch Caitlin Clark after a routine 'make them earn it foul' after Angel Reese fouled Aaliyah Boston with a push in the back that wasn't called," RGIII listed. "That's not just hate. That's jealousy and resentment."
The former NFL Rookie of the Year went on to say that the complicated racial dynamics in America make it "uncomfortable" for some people to call it what it is. But he really believes that Angel has a strong dislike for the Indiana Fever superstar — and he thinks the WNBA is better for it.
"Caitlin Clark is the most popular athlete in America and Angel Reese is the Isiah Thomas to Caitlin Clark's Michael Jordan," he analogized. "That's what will continue to raise the popularity of the WNBA."
"People care about rivalries. Rivalries aren't built on handshakes. They are forged in fire, fouls, and pride. Angel Reese wants to beat and outshine Caitlin Clark. Angel Reese has said she is the Villain. That is sports. That's the game."
"Angel Reese has beat Caitlin Clark, but never outshined her. Even when Angel won the national title, the First Lady wanted to see her and Caitlin Clark at the White House," RGIII pointed out. "Over time the hate and resentment has built up from all this. You could see it in her overreaction to the routine basketball play foul. I'm just the one not afraid to say it."
Do you agree with the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner?
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