Nancy Armour’s USA Today story on Wednesday alleging that Caitlin Clark’s “histrionics” are “putting other people in danger” has sparked a furious debate across the WNBA world. While some are siding with the author, others have pushed back against the notion that Clark is responsible for her fans’ behavior.
Former NFL player Geoff Schwartz called Armour’s article “insane,” prompting a WNBA observer to defend the writer. The two soon joined the online discourse, defending their respective positions.
Geoff Schwartz Slams Claims That Caitlin Clark Is ‘Responsible’ for Her Fans’ Actions
In her divisive piece, Armour emphasized that she is not a hater of Clark. In fact, she labeled the Indiana Fever superstar an “electrifying player” and added that her “Player of the Week honor is richly deserved.”
However, the sports columnist pointed out that Clark’s flopping, which she said is common even for non-basketball players, has had a damaging impact due to the three-time All-Star’s supporters.
Armour wrote that there is a “white nationalist faction to Clark’s fandom,” whom she called racists “who see her as a white woman in need of saving and take matters into their own hands.”
Schwartz dubbed the article “insane,” pushing an X user to stand by Armour.
“This article is calling out the death threats and slurs from Caitlin fans whenever she’s fouled. And her tendency to play into it while knowing the history of racism and safety concerns other players have experienced. Nancy will continue to be proven right,” the user wrote.
The former Carolina Panthers offensive guard defended his stance as well.
“Holding Clark accountable or responsible for the actions of random people on the internet is a standard that’s ludicrous and something we don’t do with any other athlete. And ‘her tendency to play into it’ is just a wild thing to believe when she’s been the same player her entire career,” Schwartz responded.
Holding Clark accountable or responsible for the actions of random people on the internet is a standard that’s ludicrous and something we don’t do with any other athlete. And “her tendency to play into it” is just a wild thing to believe when she’s been the same player her entire… https://t.co/RPoYp6hxT8
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) July 23, 2026
Schwartz continued using the NFL as an example.
“If the [Buffalo] Bills ever beat the [Kansas City] Chiefs in the playoffs and a person with a Bills avatar sends [Patrick] Mahomes a hateful message…is that Josh Allen’s fault?” Schwartz asked. “What are we doing here?”
If the Bills ever beat the Chiefs in the playoffs and a person with a Bills avatar send Mahomes a hateful message … is that Josh Allen’s fault? What are we doing here.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) July 23, 2026
The X user countered by writing that Clark often exaggerates contact and flops despite knowing opposing players receive death threats when her fans retaliate.
Clark is one of the WNBA’s best players and easily its hottest draw. Still, she is perhaps the league’s most polarizing figure.
SEE ALSO: ‘Dumbest Paragraph’ – Dave Portnoy Blasts USA Today Columnist Nancy Armour’s Wild Caitlin Clark Take
The 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year isn’t expected to change her playstyle, which will likely keep the narratives surrounding her influence alive. Schwartz and the X user were just the latest to join the long list of league observers debating the analysis, stories, and speculation surrounding Clark.
