Sports analyst Pat McAfee issued an apology after calling Caitlin Clark out of her name during a recent live stream.
RELATED: Oops! Caitlin Clark says she is being “hammered” in the WNBA by other players (VIDEOS)
Pat McAfee Apologizes After Calling Caitlin Clark Her Name
On Monday, June 3, McAfee appeared for another episode of ‘The Pat McAfee Show,’ which is broadcast live via YouTube It is ESPN. About nine minutes into the show, McAfee began talking about race and the notion that the WNBA has “racist” viewers who “will only watch if a white superstar is there.”
According to CNNthe show’s segment was intended to explore “whether race played a factor in the WNBA rookie’s meteoric rise.”
McAfee appeared to disagree with this belief and said it wanted the media “Call it for what it is.”
“There’s a white idiot on the Indiana team who’s a star,” he said. “There’s a chance that people enjoy watching her play basketball because of how electric she is – what she did, what she stood for… maybe? But instead we have to listen to people say that we all like her because she’s white and she’s only popular because the rest of the new kids are doing what she’s doing. That’s a bunch of nonsense.”
According to the vehicle, McAfee’s description of Clark generated an immediate reaction. McAfee later adopted Xformerly known as Twitter, to apologize to the public and to Clark.
“I shouldn’t have used ‘white bitch’ as a descriptor for Caitlin Clark. No matter the context… even if we are talking about race being the reason some things happen… I have too much respect for her and women to put this out there,” he wrote. “My intentions in saying this were complimentary, as was the entire thread, but a lot of people are saying it certainly wasn’t. This is 100% on me and for that I apologize… I sent an apology to Caitlin as well. Everything else I said… are still all facts…”
Social media weighs
Social media users reacted to McAfee’s initial statements and apology in Shade Room Comments Section.
Instagram user @bibbs.__ wrote, “I hope she has some good advisors by her side, financially and mentally this is all difficult for any 22 year old to deal with.
While Instagram user @xotanye added, “that woman did nothing but be a woman and play basketball. Leave her alone”
Instagram user @maseratimajofficial wrote, “Unpopular opinion: He was complimenting her and didn’t mean what he said in a negative way 🙄”
Although Instagram user @mikesmithjr added, “When I say that no one has more decorum than any profession”
Instagram user @kikifromdablock wrote: “She’s the Taylor Swift of the WNBA, I’m tired of hearing about her.”
While Instagram user @luisandrade_97 added, “Angel and Caitlin’s hatred is wild.”
Instagram user @rocccwit.cammy wrote, “What the hell did Catlin do to you guys😂😂”
While Instagram user @therealveronicabrinx added, “She doesn’t deserve all the hate she’s been receiving, regardless of the color of her skin. The constant bullying and harassment is weird.”
Here’s Why Caitlin Clark Has Been a Big Talk
As The Shadow Room previously reported, Clark made her entry into the WNBA in April. Since then, the 22-year-old has reportedly received a US$28 million deal from Nike amid receiving her own exclusive sneaker from the brand, ahead of fellow WNBA star A’ja Wilson.
RELATED: Social Media Reacts to Caitlin Clark Reportedly Having an Exclusive Nike Sneaker Before WNBA Star A’ja Wilson
In May, Clark apparently claimed that his race played no role in his recent popularity and endorsements, per The Shadow Room. Instead, Clark said she believes there are “opportunities for every player in women’s basketball.”
Later that month, social media users appeared to believe that Clark was receiving more favoritism in the media. At the time, LeBron James and Charles Barkley publicly praised Clark. Furthermore, Barkley went so far as to claim that other WNBA players were “hating” on her, for The Shadow Room.
Earlier this month, Clark alleged that she was being “hammered” by players on the court who were being very physical with her, for The Shadow Room. Shortly after, Chennedy Carter of the Chicago Sky committed a hard foul on Clark by shoulder checking her during a play.
RELATED: Chennedy Carter Refuses to Answer Questions About Caitlin Clark After Viral Game Showdown (VIDEO)
Apparently, the backlash Clark received on and off the court led people like McAfee, James and Barkley to publicly come to his defense. Additionally, the Indiana Fever general manager even spoke out in Clark’s defense, stating that she feels the 22-year-old is being “targeted,” for The Shadow Room.
Meanwhile, others, like fellow sports analyst Monica McNutt, have argued that Clark is just being treated like everyone else on the court. At the same time, Angel Reese apparently stated that Clark is not the only superstar in the WNBA.
RELATED: Let them know! Angel Reese talks about his impact on the WNBA and taking on the role of “bad guy” (WATCH)