Robert Griffin III
Robert Griffin III Robert Griffin III/X Formerly Twitter

Robert Griffin III, better known as RG3, is facing intense backlash online after sharing a tweet involving Angel Reese that many say crossed the line. What began as an attempt to call out racism quickly escalated into a widespread debate about women's sports, male commentary and clout-chasing. Now, NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal and the wider internet are calling him out.

RG3's tweet about Angel Reese ignites backlash

The controversy began when RG3 posted a tweet that included a racist photo edit of WNBA star Angel Reese. While his intention may have been to condemn the offensive image, sharing it only served to amplify its reach.

To make matters worse, RG3 also claimed that someone within Reese's inner circle had told him she 'hates' fellow WNBA star Caitlin Clark, fuelling an already overplayed narrative of rivalry between the two players.

The response was swift, with many accusing RG3 of seeking attention at Reese's expense rather than genuinely supporting her or challenging racism.

Angel Reese responds to RG3 tweet backlash

Angel Reese didn't hold back. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Chicago Sky star responded directly:

'Lying on this app when everybody know the first and last name of everybody in my circle for clout is nastyyyy work'.

Reese's statement made it clear she was not only frustrated by the misinformation but also by the fact that she had been dragged into controversy by someone outside her trusted team. Her mother also weighed in, denying that anyone close to her daughter had spoken to RG3.

Shaquille O'Neal defends Reese with fiery warning

One of the most explosive reactions came from Shaquille O'Neal, who has long supported Reese as a mentor figure. As reported by CBS Sports, O'Neal said on the Off the Record podcast:

'RG3? Tweet another monkey post about my girl Angel Reese and I'm going to punch you in your f***ing face. Leave my Angel Reese alone'.

CBS Sports also noted that O'Neal challenged RG3's credibility to speak on women's basketball and highlighted that he directly advises Reese not to engage publicly. This passionate defence amplified public scrutiny and fuelled broader discussions on male voices dominating women's sports commentary.

RG3 faces backlash from Bernice King and Ryan Clark

Civil rights leader Bernice King also spoke out, with the New York Post reporting that she urged RG3 to resolve the matter privately, saying he should call Reese directly instead of continuing to post publicly. Former NFL player Ryan Clark criticised RG3 for making the situation about himself, suggesting that he diverted attention from the real issue of racism to sensational claims about a supposed feud.

RG3 controversy fuels debate on men commenting on women's sport

This backlash has sparked a wider conversation about who gets to speak on behalf of women in sport. As male figures like RG3 and even Shaq take centre stage, critics argue that the voices of the female athletes themselves are often lost in the noise.

While advocacy is welcome, many fans and experts are calling for a shift: letting women lead their own narratives without interference or misrepresentation.

What the RG3–Angel Reese controversy teaches us

RG3's tweet may have started with the intention of highlighting racism, but it quickly turned into a cautionary tale about misplaced commentary in women's sport. With backlash from fans, media figures and legends like Shaq, one thing is clear: Angel Reese deserves to be heard, not spoken over.

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