Earlier today the New York Post did an article on Caitlin Clark confronting a referee over a lack of foul calls in last night's game against the Golden State Valkyries. That article drew a strong reaction from ESPN's Dick Vitale.
The article by Spencer Brod recapped a slew of issues that Clark and the Indiana Fever had in their 88-75 loss last night. By far the biggest issue was inconsistency in the officiating, which Clark complained about afterwards.
"The ref can’t miss that,” Clark told reporters about a call she felt got missed. “And then I have to play with a contusion in my leg the rest of the game. It’s ridiculous.”
Dickie V saw the article and reposted it, declaring that Clark has a "right to complain" due to how often she "takes a physical whipping" and doesn't get the calls.
"She has a right to complain as @CaitlinClark22 on many times takes a physical whipping w/o any calls made," Vitale wrote on X.
Fans Weigh In
As much as fans respect Dickie V, there was a lot of disagreement over whether the fouls that Clark was complaining about were as egregious as she made them out to be:
"She is a great player but an even better actress. That play she was complaining about was their contact yes but not to the magnitude that she exploding in the officials face and BTW if that's any other player the get a tech!" one user wrote on X.
"Nah everyone takes a beating. Also Refs are going to make mistakes. So play on," wrote another.
"Dick you are my guy and I’m praying for you! Go back and look at this play and her reaction and let us know what you really think… anyone reacting like this gets T’d up… Beat wishes and keep fighting! We are rooting for you," a third wrote.
© Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
"Then she needs to toughen up. Stop making excuses for her! Other players are roughed up as well. I mean do want bubble wrap placed on the girl. She needs toughen up! Jordan did."
"She initiated the contact! She should have received a tech for that temper tantrum."
Dickie V is clearly a big fan of Caitlin Clark and will vehemently defend her. But there is a need to challenge this idea that she's uniquely beaten up in ways other stars aren't.
