Ryan Clark and Robert Griffin III are both former NFL players who are now analysts for two different sports networks. While ESPN used to employ both of them, Griffin was fired in August of 2024 for what the network called budgetary reasons. He had previously worked with Clark on “Monday NFL Countdown” and was one of ESPN’s college football color commentators.
After being fired by ESPN, Griffin landed with FOX Sports as an analyst.
Now, the former teammates, both at ESPN and with the Washington Commanders as players, are in an intense social media battle over Griffin’s take on the Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese interaction.
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese Are at the Center of Early WNBA Headlines
Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever and Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky kicked off the WNBA over the weekend. The two stars have been rivals ever since their college days, and many do not believe there is much love lost between them.
In their very first game of the season, Clark set off a fury of fireworks on social media after being whistled for a flagrant foul on Reese:
Angel Reese may be the most petty, insufferable athlete in sports right now…
Her jealously for Caitlin Clark has made her act a fool on and off the court.
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) May 17, 2025
One of the people who spoke out about Clark and Reese was Griffin, who had some pretty strong words concerning the rivalry.
“Some people get uncomfortable when you say Angel Reese hates or is jealous of Caitlin Clark because of the complex racial history of America and the historical stereotypes of the angry or jealous Black Woman. I understand that,” Griffin posted on X.
“Angel Reese isn’t just some jealous Black woman. Angel is an NCAA Champion and great basketball player. She’s a competitor who has shown she doesn’t like how Caitlin Clark is crowned while she’s criticized for showing the same confidence and fire in her own way. That’s not an assumption, that’s what Angel Reese has said and shown us all. And yeah, that can turn into hate, jealousy and resentment. That’s what makes this rivalry real to a lot of viewers.”
Clark took exception to what Griffin said, particularly regarding the racial suggestions.
Ryan Clark and Robert Griffin Battle It Out on Social Media
In response to Griffin’s post about Clark and Reese, his former teammate posted a video, saying: “RGIII saying he could recognize ‘hate when ‘he’ see(s) it,’ when referring to Angel Reese’s feelings toward Caitlin Clark was irresponsible, but not at all surprising. Clark’s the biggest star in women’s basketball, & deservedly so.
“No need to beat up Reese to add shine to it. RGIII plays into the narrative that Reese is the villain of Clark’s hero origin story. Now, Oberman & Portnoy, who berated Reese in college, have an ally in Griffin. Add him to the list of black men who’ve adopted the corny trend of denigrating black women to affirm their choices. Attacking Reese multiple times in order to gain favor from his desired crowd won’t help RGII blend in more. ‘Echoing the micro aggressions of racist won’t make him any less black than me.’
Clark brought up the fact that Griffin married a white woman, whom he says seems like a lovely person.
Griffin did not appreciate that.
“There’s a line you don’t cross in life and Ryan Clark sprinted past it,” Griffin wrote. “Ryan Clark didn’t like my take on Angel Reese hating Caitlin Clark. That’s fine. Disagreement is part of the game. But instead of debating my point, he personally attacked me and my family. That shows how low of person he is.
Clark responded with, “Bruh you know what it is with me and you! I saved you the entire season on MNF. I urged people to let you be you. No matter how corny, how bad a teammate you were I had your back.
“What did you do? Invite someone on your show you know I don’t fool with to ask questions about me, and then hit me weeks later to tell me you’re gonna challenge one of my takes! You’re a phony bro. One of the worst teammates I ever had both on the field and in TV. You gotta do what you gotta do.”
It certainly does not appear that the two former teammates will be exchanging Christmas cards anytime soon.
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