Professional athletes face constant pressure to represent the brands, teams, and organizations around them. Caitlin Clark has been a Kansas City Chiefs fan since childhood, making annual trips to Arrowhead Stadium with family members.
She has worn Chiefs gear publicly, swapped jerseys with Kansas City players, and even talked about Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce on the Manningcast. When the Indianapolis Colts honored the Indiana Fever before their October 6 game, it tested that loyalty in an unexpected way.
Caitlin Clark’s Teammate Sophie Cunningham Explains Chiefs Loyalty at Colts Game
The Colts invited Clark and three Fever teammates to Lucas Oil Stadium for a pregame ceremony celebrating Indianapolis’ run to the 2025 WNBA semifinals. Each player received a custom Colts jersey with their WNBA number on the back.
Aari McDonald and Makayla Timpson immediately wore their jerseys for photos. Clark smiled, held hers up to show her name, and declined to put it on.
The moment went viral, with some questioning whether Clark was disrespecting the Colts organization. But Cunningham, Clark’s Fever teammate, defended the decision on her “Show Me Something” podcast with co-host West Wilson.
“I was like, ‘I’m not, I’m not surprised by it. I’m not,'” Cunningham said. “Because you know what? Everyone’s always trying to get her to wear something or do something. And like for her to be like, ‘I’m here, but I’m going to represent the Chiefs, baby.'”
Sophie Cunningham comments on Caitlin Clark’s flat-out refusal to wear the Indianapolis Colts’ jerseyhttps://t.co/gtiLcaLkPH pic.twitter.com/5jxYNRiPnH
— Mirror US Sports (@MirrorUSSports) October 10, 2025
Cunningham’s comments show what it’s like for Clark as one of the WNBA’s most visible players. She faces constant requests to wear certain brands, support causes, or represent organizations.
Her polite refusal to wear the Colts jersey wasn’t about the team. It was about keeping control over the parts of her identity she still owns.
The choice also matters because of the Colts-Chiefs rivalry. The teams have met 28 times, including five playoff games, with Indianapolis leading 18-10.
Wearing Colts blue would have meant more than accepting a gift for Clark. It would have meant going against a family tradition that started long before her WNBA career.
Why Sophie Cunningham’s Perspective on Caitlin Clark’s Choice Matters
Cunningham’s defense of Clark offers a unique insider perspective on navigating professional sports’ off-court demands. Unlike external observers who might view the jersey moment as a simple photo opportunity,
Cunningham understands the cumulative weight of constant requests for Clark’s endorsement, appearance, and alignment.
After going to a Colts game with the 23-year-old, Cunningham said she might be starting to like the team. She admitted she’s a bandwagon fan since she was traded to Indianapolis and hadn’t followed the Colts before.
Still, she was impressed by the friendly crowd and the quality of the food and drinks at the stadium.
Cunningham’s willingness to embrace Indianapolis football contrasts with Clark’s position. As a newly traded player, Cunningham can explore new fandoms without betraying established loyalties. Clark’s Chiefs allegiance runs deeper than convenience or location.
During the 2023 season, Clark swapped jerseys with Kansas City wide receiver Rashee Rice, posting the interaction with the caption “Legends in the making.” She’s appeared at Arrowhead Stadium multiple times, often sitting near Taylor Swift and Brittany Mahomes as they support Travis Kelce.
On the Manningcast, Clark explained her family connection to the Chiefs. “I’ve been a Chiefs fan since I was a young girl. My brother was a Chiefs fan, my Dad was a Chiefs fan. I have cousins in Kansas City who were Chiefs fans. It was just all I knew.”
She emphasized her loyalty predated Kansas City’s recent success. “I’m not a bandwagon Chiefs fan, I was a Chiefs fan even when they weren’t very good.”
That history makes the Colts jersey moment more than a fashion choice. It shows the importance of staying authentic in a sports world that often feels more like business than a personal connection.
Clark’s assessment of Mahomes and Kelce during that same interview revealed why she connects with the Chiefs. “They’re one of the best duos. I think it’s similar to how we run the offense at Iowa. Good point guard, a good post player. Good quarterback, great tight end. And they’re fun to watch.”
The Colts dominated the Raiders 40-6 that day, improving to 4-1 on the season. Clark watched from the sideline in her own clothes, Chiefs loyalty intact, while Cunningham defended her right to choose which teams deserve her public support.
