Robert Griffin III Responds Strongly to Angel Reese After She Calls Him a Liar and Criticizes His Stance on Caitlin Clark
Tensions in the world of women’s basketball and sports media have flared once again, this time involving a former NFL quarterback turned analyst and one of the brightest stars in the WNBA. Robert Griffin III, known for his candid commentary since transitioning into broadcasting, found himself in the crosshairs of Angel Reese after a recent segment addressing public criticism of Caitlin Clark sparked intense backlash. What followed was a social media firestorm that has now escalated into a very public war of words between Griffin and Reese.
At the center of this controversy is a complex intersection of race, gender, competition, and media portrayal — all magnified by the spotlight that has followed Caitlin Clark since she entered the WNBA. While Griffin claims he has been fair and balanced in his take on Clark and the players around her, Reese fired back by calling him a “liar” and accusing him of fueling negative narratives about Black women athletes.
The situation began with Griffin addressing the ongoing debate around the treatment of Clark, specifically how some opponents appear to be targeting her physically during games. In his commentary, Griffin acknowledged the intensity Clark faces but cautioned against framing it as malicious or racially motivated without context. His comments were seen by many as an attempt to deescalate the racial tension around Clark’s rise — but others, including Reese, took issue with his approach.
Angel Reese, never one to shy away from speaking her mind, took to social media with sharp criticism. In a now-viral post, she called Griffin a liar, accusing him of misrepresenting her and others who have expressed frustration with how the media portrays Clark in contrast to other WNBA players. She implied that Griffin’s commentary downplayed valid criticisms and ignored the racial undertones that have fueled much of the discourse around Clark’s popularity.
“Stop lying on Black women to defend someone who hasn’t even spoken up for us,” Reese wrote. “You’re part of the problem.”
Griffin, clearly taken aback by the accusation, fired back with a detailed response of his own. In a long thread, he defended his stance, arguing that he had supported both Reese and Clark in different contexts, and that his only goal was to promote fairness and unity within the sport.
“I will never apologize for trying to unite, not divide,” Griffin wrote. “I’ve praised Angel Reese for her passion, talent, and toughness — and I’ve defended Caitlin Clark for being targeted unfairly. You can support both. It’s not either-or. We’re all watching the same game.”
He went on to call Reese’s remarks “disappointing” and “misguided,” saying they twisted his intentions and added fuel to an already overheated situation. Griffin also challenged the idea that criticizing treatment of Clark somehow invalidates the experiences of other players.
“Calling out excessive fouls and hard hits doesn’t mean you’re blind to bigger issues,” Griffin continued. “It just means you want to see players protected, no matter their name, race, or following.”
The exchange has reignited a broader cultural debate around how Caitlin Clark’s meteoric rise is being perceived within the league. As one of the most highly marketed rookies in WNBA history, Clark has brought millions of new eyes to the sport. Yet her presence has also created tension among players who feel the media and the league have centered her at the expense of veterans and other young stars — many of whom are Black women who have not received the same opportunities or exposure.
Reese has been at the heart of that conversation. Since her national championship run at LSU and her high-profile entrance into the WNBA with the Chicago Sky, she has spoken openly about double standards, colorism, and the pressure placed on her and her peers to be perfect while watching others receive more forgiving treatment.
Griffin’s attempt to bridge the gap — by acknowledging Clark’s challenges while calling for empathy and restraint — was, in his mind, a reasonable take. But in the current climate, even a measured opinion can be perceived as taking sides. And in the eyes of Angel Reese, Griffin’s words carried the weight of dismissal and misrepresentation.
The fallout has quickly become a flashpoint in the larger media coverage of the WNBA. Pundits across platforms have weighed in, with some defending Griffin’s attempt to provide context and others siding with Reese’s frustration over how women of color are portrayed.
Some fans argue that Reese’s anger is justified — pointing to a history of Black athletes being painted as aggressive while their white counterparts are described as passionate or competitive. Others believe Griffin’s message was twisted, and that his desire for nuance is exactly what is needed in a media environment prone to polarization.
There’s also the question of whether Clark herself should be more vocal. Thus far, she has largely avoided commenting on the racial implications of her rapid rise or the criticism her opponents have received. While that silence may be strategic, it has left many of her peers feeling unsupported, particularly when they are bearing the brunt of the media’s scrutiny.
Griffin, in his response, hinted at that dynamic — noting that Clark doesn’t control the narrative around her, and that pinning all frustrations on her only deepens the divide. “She didn’t ask to be the face of the league at 22. The league put her there,” he wrote. “Let’s critique systems, not scapegoat players.”
Despite the tension, there are voices calling for unity. Several former players and analysts have urged both Griffin and Reese to move the conversation offline, suggesting that public spats only distract from the progress women’s basketball has made.
“This is not the fight,” former WNBA player and ESPN analyst Monica McNutt said during a panel. “There’s room for all these women to shine, and there’s room for healthy debate. But let’s not eat our own in the process.”
Indeed, the situation reflects the growing pains of a league in the midst of rapid growth. With more fans, more media coverage, and more money comes increased scrutiny and, at times, infighting. Navigating these dynamics will require not just players and analysts, but also executives and league officials, to step up and guide the narrative in a way that promotes inclusion, fairness, and empathy.
For Griffin and Reese, this moment may be a turning point. Both have enormous platforms and influence — Griffin in the media, Reese as one of the most recognizable athletes in women’s sports. Whether they choose to continue their war of words or find common ground could help shape how the next chapter of the WNBA story is told.
As of now, neither has apologized, and both appear steadfast in their positions. But what’s clear is this: the spotlight is no longer just on the court. The future of women’s basketball, and how it navigates issues of race, media, and identity, will be shaped just as much by these moments of tension as by the games themselves.
In the meantime, fans remain divided, media continues to dissect every quote, and the league must once again wrestle with the challenge of growing pains amid progress. Whether this controversy becomes a footnote or a foundational moment remains to be seen — but one thing is certain: the conversation is far from over.
