Context:

Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal publicly criticized former NFL star Robert Griffin III for his remarks about WNBA player Angel Reese. Griffin had shared a racist image depicting Reese and claimed that members of her inner circle told him she hates fellow player Caitlin Clark. O'Neal, clearly upset, warned Griffin against further inflammatory posts and urged him to leave Reese alone. Meanwhile, Reese and her mother refuted Griffin's claims, asserting that he was not in contact with Reese's circle. Despite the tension, Griffin maintained his intent was to defend Reese against racism, not to incite further drama.

Dive Deeper:

• Shaquille O'Neal expressed his anger towards Robert Griffin III after Griffin shared a racist image of Angel Reese and claimed she dislikes Caitlin Clark based on information from her inner circle.

• O'Neal's response included a direct threat to Griffin, urging him to cease making derogatory posts about Reese and emphasizing that such actions are inappropriate in the context of sports.

• In defense of Reese, Griffin stated that he shared the image to combat racism and clarify that Reese should never be depicted negatively, while also denying any racial motivations in his comments about her alleged dislike for Clark.

• Reese and her mother contested Griffin's assertions, with her mother stating that no one from Reese's circle had communicated with Griffin regarding her feelings towards Clark, suggesting his claims were false.

• Griffin responded to the backlash by reiterating his support for Reese against racial discrimination and insisting that his comments were misinterpreted, while emphasizing his desire to avoid being a villain in the ongoing narrative.