Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III recently stirred controversy by claiming that someone from WNBA star Angel Reese’s “inner circle” informed him of Reese’s alleged dislike for fellow basketball player Caitlin Clark. Griffin took to social media to defend Reese after a racist image of her appeared in the NBA 2K26 game, emphasizing that racism has no place in society and condemning any depiction of Reese as a monkey. He recounted his silence on the matter due to the backlash he and his family faced following a heated exchange between Reese and Clark in May.

### Griffin’s Social Media Defense Griffin expressed his support for Reese, stating that he never intended to attack her or her family. He insisted that his assertion about Reese’s feelings towards Clark was based on basketball evidence and conversations with people close to Reese. According to Griffin, the constant media comparisons between Reese and Clark have fueled tension, leading to Reese’s purported animosity.

### Response from Angel Reese and Her Family Angel Reese appeared to respond indirectly to Griffin’s claims, suggesting that his statements were false and motivated by a desire for attention. Her mother also refuted Griffin’s assertions, stating that no one from Reese’s inner circle had spoken to him about her feelings towards Clark. She urged Griffin to stay away from their personal matters.

### Griffin’s Rebuttal In response, Griffin reiterated his stance against racism and clarified that his intention was not to create drama but to address the truth. He encouraged those involved to focus on maintaining their inner circle rather than challenging his statements. Griffin emphasized his desire to enjoy sports without becoming a villain in anyone’s narrative.

### Background on the Rivalry The tension between Reese and Clark dates back to an intense confrontation during a game in May, where both players were named All-Stars. The rivalry has since been a topic of media discussion, often highlighting the competitive nature of sports.