ESPN's Chris Russo has issued an apology to WNBA star Caitlin Clark. The analyst questioned Clark's loyalty towards the Kansas City Chiefs after she was spotted sitting with Taylor Swift during the AFC Divisional Round game against the Houston Texans, sparking attention. As it turns out, the mutual support for the Chiefs has made Swift and Clark friends. It should be noted that Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is in a relationship with the globally recognised artist. However, later Russo admitted that he was wrong to doubt Caitlin's fandom, eventually acknowledging that he should not have "picked on" her.
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Caitlin Clark Receives Public Apology
The benign visual of Caitlin Clark sitting alongside Taylor Swift caused a stir and among those who voiced their opinions was "Mad Dog", who lashed out at Clark for attending the game at Arrowhead Stadium. Being oblivious of the fact that Caitlin is a Chiefs' fan, the sports expert went hard on the 22-year-old."
"I saw Caitlin Clark play, what 50 games in college basketball the last two years? I never heard one [Chiefs fandom] reference. I never saw her father with a Chief jersey on," said Russo, who is also a host on ESPN's First Take.
"I never saw [Clark] with a Chiefs hat on. I heard not one reference in 50 games that she was a Chiefs fan, and then all of a sudden now she's a big Kansas City fan. Come on, stop, please."
However, on Tuesday, Russo made an appearance on sports commentator Dan Patrick's show and was put right by the host when he informed him that Clark is a Chiefs fan. The 65-year-old said: "I'm Chief'd out, Dan. I'm Chief'd out. And now all of a sudden Caitlin Clark is a Chiefs fan?"
"I didn't know [that Clark was a fan]. Did she? She's a Chiefs fan. She knows about Super Bowl 1..." He then questioned with a hint of condescension: "Does she know about Miami-Kansas City double overtime 27-24 for one of the most famous games in the history of the National Football League?"
The show then unveiled a picture of a young Clark donning a Chiefs jersey, with Patrick asking Russo if he wanted to apologise to Clark. "I guess. I guess. I shouldn't be picking on Caitlin Clark. I'm Chief'd out," Russo said.