The ongoing dispute involving Ryan Clark and Robert Griffin III intensified on Friday when Clark, a current ESPN analyst, openly criticized his former NFL and ESPN colleague for his continued focus on WNBA star Angel Reese. The latest clash occurred after Griffin III reignited the Angel Reese social media feud by sharing controversial content related to the WNBA athlete.
Clark followed up his initial sub-tweet directed at Griffin III by posting a detailed two-and-a-half-minute video on his personal X/Twitter account. In it, Clark condemned Griffin III’s “strange fascination” with Angel Reese and accused him of dishonest behavior regarding Reese and her close associates.
What Sparked the Controversy: Griffin III’s Offensive Post on Angel Reese
The recent conflict began when Griffin III quote-tweeted an edited image replacing Reese with a monkey on the WNBA edition cover of NBA 2K26, which prominently features Reese as the cover athlete. Griffin III’s tweet also claimed that Reese’s “inner circle” contacted him to confirm his previous assertion that Reese harbored animosity toward fellow WNBA star Caitlin Clark. This statement reignited a heated racial discussion that Clark initially involved himself in back in May.
Angel Reese responded to Griffin III’s tweet by confronting him directly on the platform, accusing him of spreading falsehoods. She stated,
“lying on this app when everybody know the first and last name of everybody in my circle for clout is nastyyyy work.”
Ryan Clark Reenters the Debate to Defend Angel Reese
Just as he did during the initial eruption of the feud, Ryan Clark rejoined the public discussion swiftly after Griffin III’s post. Over the past two days, including via Friday’s video, Clark has persistently criticized Griffin III’s involvement and defended Reese against what he calls “deplorable hate, racism, and bigotry.”
In his video, Clark openly said,
“RGIII seems to have this strange fascination with Angel Reese, or connection to the spotlight and attention that it brings.”
He highlighted Reese as a
“young, beautiful, talented, hard-working, successful Black woman”
who is having a breakthrough season in the WNBA and is about to launch her own shoe. Clark expressed outrage that she was depicted through a racist image on Griffin III’s social media, which reached millions of followers.
Clark Accuses Griffin III of Distorting the Truth and Undermining Reese
Clark further criticized Griffin III for attempting to portray himself as both victim and hero in the situation, rather than taking responsibility for his actions. He said,
“But he couldn’t do that. He had to make himself both he victim and the hero of this story. He had to mention that Angel Reese did something to him, instead of acknowledging what he initially did to her.”
He added that Griffin III positioned himself as a champion for Caitlin Clark by lying about Reese and her circle, forcing Reese and her mother to publicly challenge the misinformation. Clark described this as an unfair burden placed on Reese while she should be celebrating her success and ignoring the ongoing attacks.
Demanding Support and Accountability From Griffin III
Ryan Clark also attacked Griffin III for failing to stand firmly behind Reese as a Black athlete. Clark suggested that former ESPN personality Rob Parker, who was fired for controversial remarks about Griffin III in 2012, was ultimately correct about Griffin III’s character. Clark said,
“But while we’re on apologies, we all owe Rob Parker an apology. Because though he was early, he was right about RGIII.”
Clark insisted that Griffin III missed an opportunity to de-escalate the situation by taking a humble stance.
“This should’ve been a situation where he comes out as human and says: ‘We have to stop this.’ Because, by his own admission, he says that if you don’t support people that don’t look like you, then you’re part of the problem. Let me be clear, if you never support people that look like you, you are also part of the problem,”
Clark stated.
He emphasized the responsibility to show inclusion, compassion, empathy, and love universally, while simultaneously supporting one’s own community. Clark acknowledged backlash he received for apologizing for his initial comments but noted that his intent was to clarify his position.
The Broader Implications of the Feud for Social Media and Racial Discourse
The ongoing exchange between Clark and Griffin III highlights complex issues around race, sportsmanship, and social media conduct in professional athletics. Angel Reese, as a rising Black WNBA star with growing visibility and commercial opportunities, has become an unintended lightning rod for racial tensions and misinformation.
Clark’s insistence on calling out Griffin III’s actions reflects the deeper frustrations felt when media figures and former athletes engage in debates that can exacerbate division rather than promote understanding. This feud underscores the ongoing challenges Black athletes face when their personal and community identities are subjected to public scrutiny and misinformation online.
As this conversation continues, the response from fans, analysts, and league officials remains critical to shaping how social media controversies involving race and sportsmanship are addressed in the future. Griffin III’s next moves, whether toward reconciliation or further defense of his statements, will likely influence public perception and the broader dialogue around support for Black athletes like Angel Reese.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What caused Angel Reese’s injury?
A. Reese explained in a TikTok video posted late Sunday night that she injured her hand after a fall during the game. She mentioned that the fall led to a small crack in her bone. According to the doctors, she has two choices: undergo surgery or forego it.
Q. Does Angel Reese have a 1.6 GPA?
A. Additionally, Reese finished her degree at LSU in March 2024. She studied Interdisciplinary Studies, focusing on Communication Studies, Leadership Development, and Psychology. This means she had a GPA higher than 2.0, which is needed to graduate.
Q. What did Angel Reese’s parents do?
A. Angel’s parents both played basketball at college and professional levels, which is where her talent for the sport originates.