Pat McAfee apologized for his language when talking about Caitlin Clark following the foul controversy Saturday with Chennedy Carter.
Amid all of the Clark conversation early on in her rookie season in the WNBA, there’s been a flurry of takes ranging from on the court, to social issues surrounding the league. On the surface, Clark’s admittance into the league after a superstar collegiate career has been great for the women’s game.
More eyes and listeners to women’s basketball is always a good thing. But with that comes more controversy and the scrutiny of statements, for which McAfee apologized for. He addressed his use of NSFW language.
“I shouldn’t have used ‘white bitch’ as a descriptor of Caitlin Clark,” McAfee wrote on Twitter. “No matter the context.. even if we’re talking about race being a reason for some of the stuff happening.. I have way too much respect for her and women to put that into the universe.
“My intentions when saying it were complimentary just like the entire segment but, a lot of folks are saying that it certainly wasn’t at all. That’s 100% on me and for that I apologize… I have sent an apology to Caitlin as well. Everything else I said… still alllllll facts.”
The original segment to open Monday’s show can be seen below.
As McAfee mentioned, he was at the game over the weekend and saw the situation up close.
This incident isn’t the first time Clark has faced physicality since entering the league. After the game on Saturday, Fever head coach Christie Sides revealed how her team is addressing the physical play toward Clark.
“We’re just going to keep sending these possessions to the league, and these plays, and hopefully they’ll start, you know, taking a better look at some of the things that we see happening, or we think is happening,” Sides said.
“Just more happy that Caitlin handled it the way she did. You know, it’s tough to keep getting hammered the way she does and to not get rewarded with free throws or foul calls. She’s continued to fight through that. Appreciate that from her. Really, really proud of her for doing that.”
Although Clark escaped Saturday’s game relatively unscathed, she left the Fever’s game on Sunday with an injury. A trainer could be seen examining Clark’s ear on the sideline. Clark will have four days to rest before the Fever square off against the Washington Mystics on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
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