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‘Confederate Clark’: Caitlin Clark faces criticism after support from Riley Gaines, Republicans
Indiana Fever point guard Caitlin Clark has been named to the All-Star Game for the third time in as many seasons despite playing a career low in minutes. Unfortunately, a segment of the population seems set on perpetually discussing anything but her outstanding play on the court night after night, even as she deals with a back injury that has lingered throughout the season.
Last week, several Republican members of Congress penned a letter to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert demanding that the WNBA take action to prevent what they deemed to be ” repeated acts of unnecessary physical hostility and violence” against Clark, and even mentioned that the acts “may be racially motivated.”
In a recent appearance on Fox News, conservative political commentator and former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines commented on Clark’s treatment by the league and opposing players.
“Here’s what I’ll say about Caitlin Clark,” Gaines said. “It goes without saying that she is the golden goose of the WNBA. Do they hate her because she’s white? Maybe. Do they hate her because she’s straight? Maybe. I think it is rooted in jealousy.”
“I think she was the queen of the WNBA before she ever stepped foot on a WNBA court, and they hate her for it,” she added.
The Indiana Fever quickly attempted to distance the organization from any outside political agendas trying to be attached to its star player, but the damage seems to already have been done. Unfortunately for Gaines and the members of Congress behind the letter, their support has seemed to alienate more people against Clark.
“Caitlin Congress.”
Clark faced criticism for what many perceived to be her flopping in Sunday night’s game win against the Las Vegas Aces, and not only did she face some intense criticism, but some fans on social media slapped her with some unfortunate and undeserving nicknames.
“Confederate Clark back at it again,” one fan posted on X.
“Caitlin is getting bullied and needs more intervention from congress!!!! Karen’s tears after she crumpled to the ground after seeing the missed shot and heard the whistle got the refs to review for ‘hostile act’ after the review she still yelled at the refs. Pathetic,” another fan posted.
“Caitlin is an embarrassment to Women’s Basketball! First Calling Congress because they don’t let her get her way plus all the Flopping and showing out on the court like a Toddler! She is Weak and deserves Zero respect in the league!” someone else added.
“CaitlinCongress is a classic passive aggressive. If a player has status she’ll pretend they hurt her,” one account wrote.
“None of that is OK.”
What many of her harshest critics fail to realize, however, is that Clark has never voiced support for anyone’s political agenda, and has even come out against the hate that black women around the league have received online.
“The harassment, the hate. None of that is OK …” she said prior to Sunday’s game, via ESPN. “There should never be a question of character like I’ve always stood up here and said that, and that’s truly what I believe, that’s how I was raised. So, none of that is okay, and I don’t want anyone to experience that.”
The WNBA will be in a much better place when the conversations surrounding it are centered on basketball and made in good faith. Hopefully, that will begin to happen sooner rather than later, and more fans will begin to appreciate Clark’s exceptional ability on the court.
The post ‘Confederate Clark’: Caitlin Clark faces criticism after support from Riley Gaines, Republicans appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.
