Basketball superstar Caitlin Clark has blocked former NFL All-Pro wide receiver and current internet provocateur Antonio Brown after he shared a series of abusive posts about her.
Brown posted on X about how Clark ‘seems to have it hairy,’ causing particular offense. The recipient didn’t give up and also called her his ‘cookie of the day’ and ‘cousin’, a nod to an Addams Family character before saying he looked like a founding father.
It’s far from the first time Brown has been banned for nasty comments: Legendary quarterback Tom Brady and President Joe Biden restricted the former Pittsburgh Steeler from their timelines.
Despite Brown’s hate, Clark, who rose to stardom during March Madness, received an endorsement from country music star Tim McGraw, who wore his jersey during his concert in Des Moines on Thursday night.
Clark has dealt with several controversies, including an awkward encounter with a journalist at his inaugural news conference just hours before Brown’s online attack.
Caitlin Clark blocked Antonio Brown after the former NFL star sent her a series of offensive jokes on social media.
Despite Brown’s hate, Clark, who rose to stardom during March Madness, received an endorsement from country music star Tim McGraw, who wore his jersey on Thursday.
Clark has had to deal with a lot of strange comments following this week’s WNBA Draft, including during her introductory press conference Wednesday afternoon.
It came amid Clark’s media frenzy following her first overall draft pick by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA Draft on Monday night.
During his inaugural press conference, Indy Star Sports reporter Gregg Doyel mimicked the former Iowa star’s gesture before saying, “Start doing it to me and we’ll get along.”
The joke sparked outrage online when Barstool Sports boss Dave Portnoy branded it a “sexist pervert”, prompting Doyel to apologize for the suggestive exchange.
‘Today, in my uniquely clumsy way, while welcoming @CaitlinClark22 to Indy, I formed her signature with my hands. [hand heart emoji,’ Doyel groveled to Twitter on Wednesday.
‘My comment afterward was clumsy and awkward. I sincerely apologize. Please know my heart (literally and figuratively) was well-intentioned. I will do better.’
Just hours after the press conference went viral, Brown decided to wade in with his own unsavory remarks about the WNBA rising star.
He followed his outrageous tweet about Clark being ‘hairy’ by spoofing her new Nike sponsorship deal, which he said could be followed by a ‘razor deal with ManScaped.’
‘She look like she bout to sign the Declaration of Independence,’ he said in another tweet.
Despite becoming embroiled in controversy since she became the new WNBA ‘it girl’, there’s been positives this week too – with Clark signing a massive deal with Nike
Brown has seen himself blocked by a number of high-profile celebrities since his career ended, as he often takes to Twitter to unleash unsavory jokes
Despite becoming embroiled in controversy since she became the new WNBA ‘it girl’, Clark has also enjoyed several wins.
Most notably, this includes the revelation that she’s set to sign an eight-figure deal with Nike that will land her a signature shoe.
Brown couldn’t resist chiming in following the news of Clark’s Nike deal, as he shared a picture of a fuzzy Nike trainer captioned ‘Caitlin Clark’s Hair Force Ones.’
Clark will be the third active WNBA player with their own signature shoe, joining Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty.
President Joe Biden even spoke highly of Clark, and added that the $76,535 salary she’ll earn in her first year in the league is an example of how ‘women are not paid their fair share.’
The basketball phenom has also made a number of appearances on popular podcasts and talk shows, including joking about becoming a weekly guest on the Pat McAffee Show as part of her preparation to move to Indiana.
Despite controversy surrounding Clark’s meagre salary compared to her male counterparts, she still appears set for a fortune.
Before she went pro, the six-foot guard had a net worth of $3.4 million, according to On3Sports.
But now that she can operate her brand outside of NIL parameters, Clark can expand her existing partnerships with companies including Gatorade, State Farm and Buick.
Clark was mobbed by fans and media during Monday’s WNBA Draft as the top overall selection
Clark and McCaffery have been dating for nearly a year after both played basketball at Iowa
Clark has also expressed an interest in playing for United States Olympic team in Paris this summer.
The WNBA will take a sabbatical during the 2024 Summer Olympics, as many of the league’s top talent will receive national-team call-ups.
There is precedent for star players being called up to the US Olympic roster in their first WNBA seasons. Breanna Stewart was on the 2016 team and Candace Parker played for the Americans in 2008.