What should have been a major win for Angel Reese — being unveiled as the WNBA cover star for NBA 2K26 — turned into another internet firestorm after former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III (RGIII) reignited tensions online.
The controversy began when RGIII attempted to publicly defend Reese from a vile, racist image circulating online that depicted her as a chimpanzee on the game’s cover. While his post denounced racism, it quickly took a sharp turn — as he accused Reese’s camp of previously sharing a video that led to death threats, physical threats, and even sexual violence threats aimed at his family.
“There is no place for racism in this world… I have been quiet on the Angel Reese front because she shared a video that aided in my wife, kids, family, and friends receiving death threats,” RGIII posted.
He also doubled down on his earlier claim that Angel Reese “hates” Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark, saying members of Reese’s inner circle confirmed it due to persistent media comparisons between the two rising stars.
But Reese wasted no time firing back. In a blunt post on X, she wrote:
“Lying on this app when everybody knows the first and last name of everybody in my circle for clout is nastyyyy work.”
Her response triggered a wave of online support from fans, who slammed RGIII for using a moment of solidarity to bring unnecessary drama.
“Can Angel Reese just sue @RGIII? Like…right now?” one user wrote.
“If you wanted to denounce the pic, just do that. Instead, you get on here with all that extra BS,” said another.
“You’re contributing to the online hate of this 23-year-old woman,” one fan added.
This isn’t the first time RGIII and Reese have clashed. Back in May, RGIII stirred controversy by boldly stating:
“Angel Reese hates Caitlin Clark. It’s staring us all right in the face.”
While the public has shown increasing fatigue over media attempts to pit Reese and Clark against each other, RGIII’s repeated involvement has only deepened the narrative. Fans and commentators alike are now urging a more respectful and responsible tone — especially as Reese navigates her success in the WNBA spotlight.
For now, Reese seems focused on her game and her rising stardom, leaving internet drama exactly where it belongs — online.
