There's still a lot of debate and dissenting opinions within the sports media sphere about Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark getting shoved to the ground by Connecticut Sun standout Marina Mabrey during the third quarter of their June 17 game against each other.
The heated moment occurred after Clark and Sun guard Jacy Sheldon were jawing at each other after Sheldon poked Clark in the eye while playing defense. This caused both teams to come together, and Mabrey shoved Clark seemingly out of nowhere, which led to her, Clark, and Sun veteran Tina Charles all receiving technical fouls.
While sports media juggernaut Stephen A. Smith often comes to Clark's defense during moments like these, he switched his sentiment up somewhat during a June 18 episode of ESPN First Take.
"Clearly, when it comes to Caitlin Clark, there's some resentment, as I've articulated before. What people are missing, Monica, is that I have no problem with it whatsoever," Smith said, per an X post from ClutchPoints. "Yes, there's resentment... this is much ado about nothing! In the heat of competition, tempers flare! Last time I checked, women got tempers just like men do. It ain't a problem! It ain't a problem at all! It ain't no big deal at all! I love it, personally."
He later added, "Caitlin Clark being that golden goose, that rising tide that's lifting all boats, I stand by my past proclamations that there's resentment towards her because of that. But I want to take it a step further: There's also resentment towards her because she instigates resentment towards her sometimes."
Smith then added that Clark is often the one talking smack to opposing players, which is what he meant by instigating resentment.
"There's also resentment towards her because she instigates resentment towards her... The whole Angel Reese thing with her started because when Caitlin [Clark] was giving it to everybody else, she was the one waving her in their face."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 18, 2025
—Stephen A. Smithpic.twitter.com/ufQ3gike3j
Time will tell whether fans agree with Smiths' sentiment.
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Fresh off three consecutive wins, the Los Angeles Sparks travel to Connecticut to take on the Sun on Thursday. On Wednesday afternoon, ahead of the upcoming contest, star forward Cameron Brink — injured since 2024 following an ACL tear last June — was upgraded from 'out' to 'questionable,' per Real Sports. On a recent edition of "The Herd," FOX Sports analyst Colin Cowherd shared a strong reaction towards Kelsey Plum's All-Star Weekend message towards Caitlin Clark — while speaking up for Clark's impact made since joining the WNBA. Here’s all the latest Sparks news and stories (click the headline for the full article): Sparks’ Kelsey Plum Slammed by Major Analyst for Caitlin Clark Comments: ‘Stop Talking’ Cameron Brink Appears to Be Nearing Return to Sparks Based on Latest Update Sparks' Cameron Brink's Return Date Tentatively Set For 'Late July' Sparks' Kelsey Plum Speaks on Difficulties Adjusting to New-Look Backcourt Sparks' Coach Lynne Roberts Challenges Team After Loss to Sky's Angel Reese Sparks Sign Julie Vanloo After Sudden Release By Valkyries Lynx’s Napheesa Collier, Courtney Williams Dismantle Kelsey Plum's Sparks Sparks Guard Surpasses Major Career Milestone Against Lynx Sparks' Julie Allemand Leads Belgium to Second Straight FIBA EuroBasket Crown Magic Johnson, Lisa Leslie Among Stars With Message During Candace Parker's Sparks' Jersey Retirement Ceremony Sparks Tweets of the Day: For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Sparks, visit Los Angeles Sparks on SI.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb reminded teammates to keep their cool after the team had multiple skirmishes during the first two days of training camp. Rookie defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku and tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford got involved in a brief scuffle on Tuesday. At the following practice on Wednesday, a fight broke out between safety Markquese Bell and TE Tyler Neville. New head coach Brian Schottenheimer then stopped practice and pulled the whole team together. He said the next player who threw a punch would be kicked out of practice (via Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News). "We've got to be professional," Lamb said of the incident after practice, per ESPN's Todd Archer. "I get it that we have a lot of animosity and tension between us and understanding that we want to proclaim our dominance and show like aggressiveness on both sides of the ball, but then again, to what extent?" Fighting in training camp isn't uncommon. It's an intense environment. Many are trying to prove themselves before teams trim their rosters to 53 players. However, too much brawling can threaten to tear a locker room apart. A lack of discipline was also one reason the Cowboys replaced Mike McCarthy with Schottenheimer this offseason. According to NFLPenalties.com, Dallas drew the league's sixth-most flags (128) last season. Per Archer, there were no more fights after Schottenheimer pulled the team aside. Still, the incidents raise questions about his ability to maintain control. The coach spent Wednesday morning's meeting discussing two plays where DE Sam Williams was too physical and sent to the sideline. His players must not have received the message. It's good for Dallas that Lamb seems to be echoing Schottenheimer's sentiments, but the rookie HC still must get through to his team. Rebounding from a 7-10 season could already prove challenging for the Cowboys. As of Wednesday, ESPN's Football Power Index gives Dallas a 34.5% chance to make the playoffs. Infighting will make that even more difficult.
The first training camp practice of the year didn't get off to a roaring start for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In a video posted by SteelersWRobbie on X, Rodgers can be seen getting intercepted by inside linebacker Patrick Queen while targeting wide receiver DK Metcalf on the first pass of team drills at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. Prior to that, however, Rodgers got in plenty of work with Metcalf without any defenders on the field as the pair continues building chemistry. While Rodgers throwing a pick on his first official attempt of camp isn't a good omen, it doesn't signal any impending struggles during what's likely to be the 41-year-old's final season of his career. The four-time MVP is still adapting to his new surroundings, and it wouldn't come as a surprise if he were to be a bit behind schedule as things get underway in camp. To liken the situation to baseball, it's rare to see pitchers have their best stuff or throw at maximum velocity in spring training. The same goes for Rodgers in this case, as it's unreasonable to expect that he'd be at the top of his game right off the bat. Though Metcalf's initial target from Rodgers as teammates produced a negative result, the pair should connect with regularity throughout the season. They held a throwing session at UCLA shortly after Metcalf was dealt to Pittsburgh from the Seattle Seahawks in March, and he was among the Steelers receivers who joined Rodgers for a workout in Malibu earlier this offseason. During an appearance on the "Pat McAfee Show" in June, Rodgers revealed that Metcalf was a major factor in him deciding to sign with the Steelers following his release from the New York Jets. "DK is a lead-by-example guy, and he's a big reason why I'm in Pittsburgh as well," Rodgers said. "Conversations that we had, and just the kind of person that he is." Rodgers, who threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns with the Jets last season, owns the lowest interception percentage in league history at 1.4, so Steelers fans shouldn't expect to see too many mistakes from the future Hall of Famer this season.
As training camps begin around the NFL, the grand picture of positional rooms is starting to take shape. But not every team is finished making moves. In particular, one veteran is inching closer to transforming the wide receiver room for one lucky franchise. Veteran wideout Keenan Allen is still on the market as we head into the final month of the offseason and is ready to make his presence felt. The long-time Charger has reportedly been "waiting for training camps to open to assess the landscape better and get a clearer picture of each team's wide receiver situation." NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports that Allen "has drawn interest from multiple teams in recent weeks." Months after his departure from the Chicago Bears, the free agent may finally be finding a new home. The 12-year NFL veteran has accumulated over 10,000 yards in his career, along with 59 touchdowns. In his lone season with the Bears in 2024, Allen tallied 744 yards and seven TDs. Even at 33 years old, the nimble receiver is capable of big plays. Allen has repeatedly dominated from the slot and racked up yardage operating in the middle of the field. He is as savvy as they come and a true mastermind in the NFL. There are numerous potential fits for Allen around the NFL. Namely, a reunion with either his most recent team, the Bears, or his long-time home in Los Angeles is not out of the picture. Chicago Bears The Bears are banking on breakouts from the 2024 first-round receiver Rome Odunze and 2025 second-round pick Luther Burden III to fill out their receiver room. If the Bears deem either of the two not ready, Allen could return. Los Angeles Chargers Similarly, the Chargers are relying on 2023 first-round selection Quentin Johnston and rookie Tre Harris to carry a significant portion of the load in Los Angeles. Like the Bears, if these youngsters aren't ready, Allen could come in and serve as a stopgap. New England Patriots Outside potential reunions, a selection of wide receiver-needy franchises remain as strong options. First, the Patriots have long sought help at receiver in recent years. Despite bringing Stefon Diggs this offseason, Allen could be added to help assist second-year quarterback Drake Maye in 2025. Pittsburgh Steelers Another potential destination resides in Pittsburgh. As the Steelers have loaded up on veteran talent as they push for a better season in 2025, Allen could start right away and push for a deep playoff run in the AFC. San Francisco 49ers Lastly, a name to watch for Allen's talents in the 49ers. The Niners have placed both Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall on the PUP list. Meanwhile, standout receiver Jauan Jennings has been holding out for a new contract. Things could get ugly in San Francisco in an instant; if they do, Allen would be the best possible option for them to bolster the unit.
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