Robert Griffin III sparks wild social media spat with Angel over Caitlin Clark 'hate' accusation

In an attempt to defend Angel Reese from racism, former NFL star Robert Griffin III accidentally sparked a bitter online feud with the WNBA star. 

Griffin, who was previously embroiled in controversy over his criticism of the Chicago Sky player, once again found himself in Reese's firing line Thursday when he claimed to have evidence that she hates rival Caitlin Clark. 

The former quarterback attempted to wade into the outrage surrounding the Sky forward's unveiling as one of the 2K26 cover stars - something she achieved over longtime opponent Clark - which had included one social media user photoshopping the cover to feature a monkey in place of Reese. 

While Griffin, 35, hit out at the blatantly racist backlash, he also appeared to accuse Reese of sharing a video that resulted in abuse towards his family

'Alright. This has got to stop. There is no place for racism in this world. Whether you like a player or not. Angel Reese should never be called or depicted as a Monkey,' he wrote in a post to X referencing the vile reaction to Reese's cover. 

'I have been quiet on the Angel Reese front because she shared a video that aided in my wife, kids, family and friends receiving death threats, threats of physical harm to my family and friends and threats of sexual violence to my children on social media and beyond.

'That will never be okay with me. I never attacked her or her family when I stated and backed up with clear basketball evidence that Angel Reese hates Caitlin Clark. It’s sports. Everybody won’t like each other.'

Amd even as he continued to condemn the attacks on the hoops star, Griffin went on to claim that members of Reese's inner circle had confirmed she held contempt for Clark.

'People in Angel’s inner circle called me and told me I was right and Angel Reese has grown to hate Caitlin Clark because of the media always asking her about Caitlin and being constantly compared to her ,' Griffin wrote in a social media post.

'Some people made it about race, but I never did and never will. Instead of becoming the villain in anyone’s story, I decided to just not.

'All that being said, Angel Reese or any Black man or woman should never be called or depicted as a Monkey. Ever.'

Earlier this year, Griffin became embroiled in a war of words with former teammate and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark, who dismissed his criticism of Reese because he's married to a white woman. 

Clark, who won a Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers and now works with Jason Kelce on ESPN's Monday Night Countdown, said Griffin 'is not having conversations at his home about what black women have to endure in this country.'

He also referenced how Griffin, who is married to Estonian heptathlete Grete Griffin and shares three daughters with her, has 'been married to white women' in both of his marriages.

However, his claims triggered a furious response from Reese, who indirectly hit back at the retired signal caller. 

'lying on this app when everybody know the first and last name of everybody in my circle for clout is nastyyyy work,' she posted, without directly naming Griffin. 

Griffin refused to let the issue rest, maintaining he was telling the truth as he appeared to suggest Reese was at fault. 

'I spoke up in support of Angel Reese against racism not to start drama,' he later shared. 'But I won’t let anyone twist the truth just because it’s inconvenient to them. Instead of trying to check me, just tighten up your circle. They calling me and saying you hate Caitlin Clark, not the other way around. 

'I have zero interest in being the villain in anyone’s story. I just want to have fun, tell the truth and celebrate sports. But I won’t pretend or lie just to protect feelings.'

The bitter back and forth came after Reese joined Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Carmelo Anthony in being named as a cover athlete for popular game 2K26 on Wednesday. 

Speaking on her selection as a cover star, Reese told 2K: 'Being on the cover of NBA 2K26 and debuting my first-ever signature shoe with Reebok on that cover, the Angel Reese 1, is more than a milestone - it’s a statement.

'It’s about representation and showing young girls they can be confident, bold, and take up space unapologetically.

'To be cemented in NBA 2K history is a special honor that reflects not only my journey, but also all the veteran WNBA players who have paved the way before me and the growing impact of the league as a whole'.

While Reese beamed at 2K's decision to name her as a cover star, fans on social media were quick to suggest that Clark should have been selected instead.

One fan wrote: 'Should have been Caitlin Clark'.

Similarly, another fan said: 'We all know it was supposed to be Clark'.

'Over CC? Something smells fishy,' another wrote.

One user said: 'Reese over clark is just another example of how 2k has fallen'.

One fan suggested a different WNBA star, as they wrote: 'Naphessa collier is having a MVP season but sure give it someone who shoots under 42% and leads the league in turnovers'.

The Chicago Sky star is currently averaging 13.2 points and 12.9 rebounds per game. She also made WNBA history recently as she became the first player in league history to get 15 or more rebounds in five straight games.

Reese and Clark were collegiate rivals before both being drafted into the league last year, where they have remained extremely competitive with one another.

Despite Reese's impressive season - which earned her a spot in the All-Rookie First Team and an All-Star selection - it was Clark who was named Rookie of the Year.

Clark has also been named as one of the captain's for the upcoming WNBA All-Star game. She snubbed Reese, who will instead feature for Collier's team.

Meanwhile, back in May, Clark and Reese's rivalry reignited with the duo were involved in a heated on-court clash.

Tempers flared between the two women's basketball superstars when Reese took exception to Clark's hard foul with 4:38 left in the third quarter as the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky got their 2025 campaigns up and running.

After Reese grabbed an offensive rebound, Clark slapped the Sky forward across the arm, knocking the ball away and her arch-nemesis to the floor.

Angel, who was visibly furious, quickly jumped up and confronted Caitlin as Fever center Aliyah Boston jumped in between the two players.

Following a replay review, the referees upgraded the foul to a flagrant one and called double technical fouls on Boston and Reese. It was Clark's third personal foul.