WNBA rookie star Caitlin Clark made waves when she was named Time’s Athlete of the Year and addressed the “privilege” she’s received during her breakout season. While some sports fans felt Simone Biles would’ve been a better choice, others were extremely upset that she acknowledged the idea that she’s treated differently by sports media and new viewers because she’s white.
In an expansive interview with Time, she also explained how she’s aware that “A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been Black players. This league has kind of been built on them.” She went on to express how she wants to “elevate Black women” and get more “brands and companies [to] invest in those players that have made this league.” incredible
Since she never misses an opportunity to offer an opinion no one asked for, Megyn Kelly popped out to criticize Clark for having the audacity to admit that she’s treated with “privilege” because she’s a white player.
“Look at this. She’s on the knee all but apologizing for being white and getting attention,” Kelly wrote on X. “The self-flagellation. The ‘oh pls pay attention to the black players who are REALY the ones you want to celebrate.’ Condescending. Fake. Transparent. Sad.”
A few months ago when Clark was the “great white hope” of the WNBA, so-called fans were ready to burn down the league because she wasn’t named to the Olympic team. But the minute she expresses an opinion they disagree with she becomes “condescending” and “fake.” This just shows how their support was never about her basketball ability.
The Indiana Fever guard responded to Kelly’s comments on Wednesday at the “A Year in Time” event in New York City, telling NBC Sports’ Maria Taylor that she “grew up” watching the WNBA, so she’s always been a fan of the women who made it a phenomenon.
“I know what this league was about and, like I said, it’s only been around 25-plus years, so I know that there’s been so many amazing Black women that have been in this league, and continuing to uplift them is very important and that’s something I’m very aware of,” Clark said.
The Iowa alum also let everyone know that she’s “very comfortable” in her skin and that she’s “earned every single thing that’s happened” during her career.
The amount of pressure that the sports world—and beyond—is putting on this young woman is ridiculous. She’s had a record-breaking, game-changing year of competition, and that’s more than anyone can ask from her. It is not this 22-year-old’s job to fix this country’s neverending racial issues. Fans on both sides of the political divide need to calm down and just let her play basketball.