On Wednesday, USA Today columnist Nancy Armour published a highly controversial story discussing WNBA star Caitlin Clark’s alleged flopping.
As a result, several sports media personalities have weighed in on the conversation, with the latest being a former NFL player-turned-analyst who described Armour’s piece as “wild.”
Emmanuel Acho Calls Out USA Today Columnist for Comments on Caitlin Clark
Armour’s story received criticism for several reasons, including her direct attack on Clark, but what generated the strongest backlash was her highly questionable decision to bring up Emmett Till in her column about the Indiana Fever star.
In her column, Armour wrote, “It shouldn’t need reminding this country has an awful history of Black people being harmed, even killed, in the name of ‘defending’ white women. The irony of the WNBA’s All-Star Game is that it’s happening this weekend in Chicago, the hometown of Emmett Till, who became an icon of the civil rights movement after his tragic murder.
“The local art gallery is currently hosting an exhibit imagining his life if he hadn’t been lynched. While it’s incumbent on the WNBA to do more to protect its players, there also should be an expectation on Clark to recognize the broader implications of her actions being weaponized.”
BUILD YOUR OWN TOP 100: PFN’s FREE NFL Top 100 Builder
In response, former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho took to his show, “Speakeasy,” where he blasted Armour for her comparison of the two.
Acho added context, noting, “Emmett Till was a 14-year-old boy who traveled to Mississippi to visit relatives. He was accused of being familiar with or whistling at a white woman, 21 years old, Carolyn Bryant, and based upon whistling at this white woman… he was brutally lynched, beaten, and murdered.
“You cannot use Emmett Till and Caitlin Clark, thus Carolyn Bryant and Caitlin Clark, in the same sentence. Two completely different individuals … Caitlin Clark, she is committing sins of omission. Carolyn Bryant committed a sin of admission, which was a false admission… If Caitlin Clark has done anything wrong, it’s she has not used her voice enough.”
The show’s account on X, to paraphrase Acho’s comments, wrote, “You cannot use Caitlin Clark and Emmett Till in the same sentence. That is WILD””
Acho is not the only sports media personality to fire back at Armour, as Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, Fox News host Riley Gaines, and sports journalist Crissy Froyd were among the notable figures who weighed in on X.
Armour released a statement on Thursday expressing regret for comparing Clark to Emmett Till, but she ultimately stood by the overall message of her column. Whether USA Today takes any action regarding the columnist remains to be seen, but the reaction across the sports world has been extremely overwhelming.
