Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III reacts strongly to Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese flagrant foul exchange

Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III has weighed in on the latest on-court clash between WNBA rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, a rivalry that once again took center stage during Saturday’s matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky.

Tensions erupted in the second half when Clark was whistled for a flagrant foul on Reese during Indiana’s dominant 93-58 victory. The incident quickly drew reactions across social media and reignited discussions surrounding the players’ ongoing rivalry, which dates back to their college days.

Griffin: ‘Angel Reese HATES Caitlin Clark’

In a post on social media, Griffin didn’t hold back in his assessment of the altercation, suggesting that the tension between the two stars runs far deeper than simple competitive fire.

“After watching Caitlin Clark’s flagrant foul on Angel Reese and the aftermath, there is no way Angel Reese can continue the lie that she doesn’t dislike Caitlin Clark,” Griffin wrote. “I know what hatred looks like. Angel Reese HATES Caitlin Clark. Not some basketball rivalry hate either. Hate.”

Clark and Reese Address the Flagrant Foul

Despite the heated nature of the moment, both Clark and Reese attempted to downplay the incident following the game.

Speaking to ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the third quarter, Clark clarified that she did not intend any harm.

“Let’s not make it something that it’s not,” Clark said. “It was just a good play on the basketball. I’m not sure what the ref saw to upgrade it, and that’s up to their discretion. It’s a take foul to put them at the free-throw line. I’ve watched a lot of basketball in my life — that’s exactly what it was. I wasn’t trying to do anything malicious. That’s not the type of player I am.”

Reese echoed a similar sentiment during her postgame comments, describing it as simply a "basketball play."

Officials Provide Explanation on Flagrant 1 Call

Fever head coach Stephanie White also believed Clark’s foul wasn’t out of bounds.

“I thought it was a clear play on the ball,” White said after the game.

However, officiating crew chief Roy Gulbeyan offered a different perspective when asked about the call.

“The foul on Clark met the criteria for flagrant foul 1, for wind up, impact, and follow through for the extension of the left hand to Reese’s back, which is deemed not a legitimate basketball play, and therefore deemed unnecessary contact,” Gulbeyan said.

He added that the aftermath resulted in two technical fouls: a physical taunt on Aliyah Boston and a verbal taunt on Angel Reese, which ultimately offset each other.

Stat Lines Shine Amidst Controversy

While the flagrant foul stole headlines, both rookies delivered strong performances.

Clark recorded her third career triple-double, finishing with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Reese, meanwhile, put up her second double-double of the season, scoring 12 points and pulling down a game-high 17 rebounds.