It’s been quite a week for WNBA draftee Caitlin Clark. However, the joy of going No. 1 in Monday’s draft was countered by two high-profile incidents.
First came a nationwide facepalm event at Clark’s introductory press conference with the Indiana Fever on Wednesday when she was subjected to what has been termed “creepy” commentary from a member of the Indianapolis news media.
And now, comes word that Clark blocked former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown on X, formerly Twitter, after crude posts were directed at her from the former All-Pro football player. Inflammatory posts regarding Clark reportedly had been ongoing for weeks before she appeared to have enough.
WNBA Draftee a Target of Brown Since March
Congrats to Caitlin Clark on becoming all-time leading scorer #MelGibson #CTESPN #PassionoftheChrist pic.twitter.com/PW1ZzYdOK9
— AB (@AB84) March 3, 2024
It is believed that Brown‘s first post leveled at Clark came after she broke Pete Maravich‘s NCAA Division I all-time scoring mark in early March. The post was vilified by Clark supporters, which only appeared to egg the once-great former receiver on.
The social media attacks continued, becoming more crude with each one. After being blocked by Clark, Brown posted an image of the block page with a derogatory caption. The blocking did not dissuade Brown, who has continued a crass commentary on her appearance and physical attributes.
Events of Past Week Show What WNBA Players Have to Overcome
If Brown’s attempting to remain relevant by attacking the face of women’s basketball for many wasn’t enough, let’s not forget about Wednesday’s events.
Longtime Indianapolis Star sports columnist Gregg Doyel, a former national sports writer for CBSSports.com, put on a “how not to interview female athletes” demonstration with Clark during her first press conference as a member of the WNBA’s Fever.
As Clark faced the media, Doyel was called on to ask the hoped-for next WNBA superstar a question. Doyel, a three-time honoree as the nation’s top sports columnist by the Associated Press, asked her about her now-famous heart gesture.
Off-camera, Doyel made Clark’s trademark gesture. That led to this exchange:
“You like that?” she responded.
“I like that you’re here, I like that you’re here,” Doyel said.
“Yeah, I do that at my family after every game,” she said of the hand gesture.
Doyel then responded: “Start doing it to me and we’ll get along just fine.”
The exchange led to a firestorm of controversy that engulfed social media and landed Doyel in some hot water. The columnist has since apologized both on X and in print for his part in the exchange.
For her part, Clark is remaining focused on her upcoming role in the WNBA and has been appreciative for the opportunity to be a talisman for women’s athletics, telling reporters last Wednesday:
“I think the biggest thing I’m trying to remember is how grateful I am to have this opportunity. You know there’s so many people who would kill to be in my shoes. When things seem like they’re long, you’re tired and you feel like I have to do this, I have to do that, I try to remind myself how grateful I am to get these opportunities. I’m lucky to have these moments.”
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Tom Carothers is a sportswriter with more than 20 years of experience covering sports at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Still longing for the return of his Minnesota North Stars, he has a high pain tolerance as a big fan of the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Browns, and Tottenham Hotspur.
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