The Angel Reese-RG3 feud just escalated with a ‘big’ development. ICYMI, Robert Griffin III posted a controversial tweet about racism towards the Chicago Sky star. The former NFL pro has been locked in back and forth with several people, including fellow NFL legend, Ryan Clark while Brandon London accused him of ‘aura farming’. It got worse when he accused Reese of outright hating Caitlin Clark because of the media narrative that she’s better than her. Now RG3 would have to debate this with the Angel’s ‘Unc,’ Shaquille O’Neal.
Now Shaquille O’Neal walks a fine line. He’s 1000% Team Angel while gracefully acknowledging that Caitlin Clark has phenomenal talent. He’s also a fan of the WNBA, notably Candace Parker and A’ja Wilson, and looks forward to the day his youngest of six, Me’Arah O’Neal plays in the league. This guy – who admitted making up kayfabe rivalries inspired by the WWE – lives for these narratives. And he’s actively discouraged Angel from playing nice.
After blatantly threatening RG3 with consequences for making another peep about Reese, O’Neal called out the whole suggestion that she needs to bury a ‘beef’ with Clark. “She’s supposed to hate her. So what?” he said on the Off The Record podcast with Bailey Jackson and Lachelle Smith. His nonchalant tone should not be mistaken. He was pretty mad at RG3 ten seconds before this rant on how rivalries are important in sports and in the media.
“I hated the Clippers. I hated the Celtics. That’s not real hate. We look around what’s going on in this real country. That’s hate. This is sports,” Shaq said in a rare moment of speaking about the current environment too. The Big Podcast host even cited Jackson and Smith, his rivals in this space, as examples to say, “I’m not supposed to like you. I don’t want you to like no other people’s podcasts. Them all. Competition. That’s what the world’s built on. Competition.”
May 17, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) passes around Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) on Saturday, May 17, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Chicago Sky, 93-58.Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith-IndyStar via Imagn Images
This isn’t a new opinion from Shaq. After Reese and Clark teamed up and beat the Olympians in their All-Star debut, Shaq stated he didn’t want to see that again. He firmly believes that the Angel-Caitlin rivalry will advance the WNBA the same as the Magic-Bird era did to the NBA in the ’80s.
Reese and Clark themselves acknowledge each other as competition but have dismissed any narratives about beef. CC even said, “I think rivalries are good for all of sports.” That’s why Shaq refers to her as a competitor with the right mindset in the same pod. Most don’t respond to Shaq because he’s obviously on Angel’s side. Very unlikely that RG3 would engage in a public spat with O’Neal over this.
Shaquille O’Neal won’t buy Angel Reese-Caitlin Clark propaganda
In response to his backlash over the controversial tweet, Robert Griffin III said, “People in Angel’s inner circle called me and told me I was right and Angel Reese has grown to hate Caitlin Clark because of the media always asking her about Caitlin and being constantly compared to her.” Reese’s mother called him out for lying too but Angel chose to remain silent.
September 9 2023: Robert Griffin III before the NCAA, College League, USA Football game between the Utah Utes and Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas. /CSM Waco US – ZUMAc04_ 20230909_zma_c04_854 Copyright: xMatthewxLynchx
Shaquille O’Neal revealed he’s the one who told her to not respond to this tirade. He did that for her with a clear message to Griffin. “Let them girls, like, leave them alone,” O’Neal said directly to the camera while calling it a shame that Griffin’s going to be remembered as a podcaster for his hot takes instead of a decorated NFL career.
The Lakers legend recalled his rivalries with Christian Laettner, Alonzo Mourning, and Dikembe Mutombo. He claimed there was no hatred among them but healthy competition (despite the kind of narrative there was about Zo and Shaq regarding ROTY). “hate in sports is not real hate. It’s a word that we throw around,” he said about those rivalries.
But if RG3 is insistent on his opinions about Reese, Shaq declared, “I’m her protector. Now pick on me. You pick on me, I’ma punch you in your face. That’s it.”
Shaq doesn’t usually get any reaction for being on Team Angel as usual. But we’d still look forward to what RG3 has to say about this.
The post Shaquille O’Neal Wants No Improvement to Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese Relationship After Warning to Ex-NFL Star appeared first on EssentiallySports.
