Former NFL Quarterback Sends Direct Message to Caitlin Clark 'Haters'

Caitlin Clark at US Olympic Team Trials — INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JUNE 18: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever is seen during day four of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium on June 18, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

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Caitlin Clark wasn’t the best player in the WNBA as a rookie this year. But she was voted overwhelmingly into the WNBA All-Star Game as the fans’ top player. Clark still has her critics, but one former NFL star thinks they’re wrong.

Speaking to X on Wednesday, former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III had a message for Clark’s “haters.” In a very lengthy message, he said people who don’t like Clark need to accept the fact that she was the “catalyst” behind the WNBA’s incredible surge in popularity this season:

Caitlin Clark haters are shaking their fists in the air. The WNBA All-Star Game votes say what most of us already knew. Caitlin Clark is the Tiger Woods of the WNBA. More people are watching the W because of her. Period. The vote totals are up 598% for the top 5 players from 2023 to 2024. The top 2 players with the most votes? Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston of the Indiana Fever, who are currently ranked 16th and 27th in points per game in the W and are currently the 9th best team in a 12-team league. Last year, the best player in the world got 95,860 votes, A’Ja Wilson. This year, Angel Reese, who is breaking records left and right, came in 5th in the fan vote and received 381,518 votes. Yes, the WNBA is more popular than ever. Yes, it’s because of Caitlin Clark. Yes, Angel Reese, A’Ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Kahleah Copper, Diana Taurasi, Arike Ogunbowale, Jewell Loyd and so many other WNBA players have contributed to it. Yes, every player, organization and television network benefits from that impact. It’s fair to say there are better players in the WNBA right now than Caitlin Clark, but she’s the most coveted. It’s fair to say no team is more watched or has broken more TV ratings and stadium attendance records than the Indiana Fever and it’s because of Caitlin Clark. It’s cool to see all of these women get the fandom they’ve long deserved. They worked hard and laid the groundwork for a moment like this to happen. It’s okay to admit that Caitlin Clark was the catalyst the WNBA needed. If it wasn’t for Caitlin Clark, it would have happened sooner. Now, let’s appreciate the product on the court and appreciate the talent that Caitlin Clark brought to the sport. Ultimately, it’s going to take ALL of these talented women to move the game forward.