Caitlin Clark: A Pattern of Aggression Excused by Privilege
Caitlin Clark’s behavior on the basketball court has often been described as passionate and intense. But if she were a Black woman, would the narrative be the same? Clark’s history of on-court antics, including technical fouls, physical altercations, and aggressive displays, would have likely earned a Black athlete labels like "thug" or "animal." The Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award Nominee’s reputation as a fiercely determined basketball player has often overshadowed a troubling pattern of aggressive and unsportsmanlike behavior, revealing a stark double standard in how athletes are judged based on race.
“When they were younger, they would play basketball in the basement, which Blake admits got rough at times. So rough, that one time Caitlin pushed Colin into a wall and he needed stitches.” - Fanbuzz.com
I guess what the parents passed off as little sibling rivalry may signal a different red flag for fans at home. During an NCAA Tournament game against Holy Cross, Clark’s frustration boiled over in a bizarre and aggressive display. After a series of contentious moments on the court, including arguments with referees and physical play, Clark threw a basketball off her own head. This act of self-directed aggression was a stark illustration of her intense demeanor and lack of control under pressure. In addition to that, it scared me, and my homegirl.
Clark’s alleged aggressive nature isn’t new. During her college career at Iowa, she was involved in multiple altercations. Marred by multiple technical fouls and incidents of physical aggression towards opponents. Known for her “spirited” attitude, she frequently argued with referees and displayed visible frustration during games. On several occasions, she slapped opponents in the face.
I guess some habits die hard because in her rookie season with the Indiana Fever, Clark quickly became notorious for her behavior on the court. Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon said, "No one talks more crap than Caitlin," and anyone who has been watching consistently will see the chatter that is constantly happening between Clark and other players. But the chatter doesn’t stop there. You can see Clark repeatedly attempting to communicate with the referees, whether she is begging for a call or flat out saying things that deserve all types of technical fouls, us fans see it all. She has already accumulated three technical fouls, leading the league (by the way). Her confrontations with referees and opponents have continued unabated, reflecting a consistent pattern of aggressive conduct.
Physical Altercations in the WNBA
Clark’s physical play has also led to several high-profile incidents in the WNBA. Before these physical altercations, she was involved in verbal disputes. She got into a heated argument with Victoria Vivians of the Seattle Storm after a frustrating loss. Additionally, Clark arm-locked Dana Evans of the Chicago Sky, making it appear as if Evans was fouling her, but some fans say she was actually holding Evans' arm.
After antagonizing Chennedy Carter, throwing an elbow, and saying “something crazy” to Carter, she was hip-checked and fell to the ground in “confusion.” I feel like she’s always “confused” after “getting chippy” with folks. Nevertheless, Caitlin is still slapping women in the face on camera in the WNBA similar to what she was doing in college. Another notable altercation involved her elbowing Betnijah Laney-Hamilton of the New York Liberty in the face, and yesterday on July 14th in a game against the Minnesota Lynx, she struck again! This time she hit Cecilia Zandalasini directly in the face, adding to her history of on-court violence. Some of her relentless fans who refuse to hold her accountable will tell you she was being grabbed, or she was doing this. But the truth is, it’s not a basketball play to slap a player in the face who you thought was listening in the huddle, it’s not a basketball play to slap anyone in the face at all.
The media and public perception of Clark’s behavior highlight a glaring double standard. Described as “competitive” and “fierce,” her actions are often excused or minimized. Especially by WNBA commentators who are quick to clean up any type of foul play, laugh it off, or make excuses for her.
When Dijonai Carrington flopped her hands to mimic Clark flopping during a game, Clark’s fans called Carrington classless. Yet, during a game against the Washington Mystics, Clark mimicked Carrington’s moves and did the same thing to another opponent, Julie Vanloo. It was laughed off by her fanbase. Everyone knows Angel Reese makes the screwface when she hits the shot. Last game, Caitlin Clark made an Angel Reese face. Similar behavior by a Black athlete would likely be met with labels such as “thug” or “animal,” by the fans, leading to more severe repercussions and damaging their reputation and career prospects. Yet, despite all of this, Clark is still called classy, sweet, and marketable.
Caitlin Clark’s journey from college to the WNBA underscores the need to address these racial biases in sports. Her aggressive behavior, repeatedly excused or downplayed, reveals a privilege that allows her to avoid the harsher judgments faced by Black athletes. When Clark is fouled in any game, it often makes the front page of the news. In contrast, fouls against other players are rarely discussed in mainstream media. This perpetuates a cycle of misrepresentation, painting Clark as the victim and other women in the WNBA as aggressors toward her.
