Angel Reese-Robert Griffin III beef, explained: Why WNBA star, NFL analyst are engaged in online war of words

Football analyst Robert Griffin III is back in the center of a social media feud about Chicago Sky All-Star Angel Reese. This time, Reese and her family have personally called out the former Heisman Trophy winner.

Recently, Griffin's WNBA analysis has resulted in pushback. His response to Caitlin Clark's foul on Reese in May stemmed a feud with ESPN analyst Ryan Clark, and his back-and-forth with Reese's family comes less than two months later.

While Reese did not mention Griffin by name, she and her mother both took to X (formerly Twitter) to address the specifics of his post that decried a racist response to Reese gracing the cover of the WNBA edition of NBA 2K26.

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Here is what to know about the bubbling feud between Griffin, Reese, and her family.

MORE: Angel Reese to represent Team Collier at 2025 WNBA All-Star Game

Angel Reese-Robert Griffin III beef, explained

Shortly after Reese was revealed as one of three NBA 2K26 cover athletes, an X user shared a racist AI-generated version of the cover that depicts a monkey in a Chicago Sky uniform.

Thursday, Griffin took to X to share a lengthy statement that included a screenshot of the original post.

Griffin began his post by condemning the image, saying, "This has got to stop. There is no place for racism in this world. Whether you like a player or not. Angel Reese should never be called or depicted as a Monkey."

From there, Griffin inserted some personal context, saying that "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," among other threats.

Griffin added that he had "basketball evidence" that Reese "hates" Clark and said, "People in Angel's inner circle called me and told me I was right," which is what drew the attention of Reese and her family.

While she did not respond directly, Reese said, "lying on this app when everybody know the first and last name of everybody in my circle for clout is nastyyyy work," seemingly a reaction to Griffin's suggestion that he had spoken to people close with Reese.

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

— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) July 10, 2025

Reese's mother, who is also named Angel, responded to Griffin's original post by saying, "Man stop with the (cap). My daughter's 'circle' is so small and tight so I'd be interested (to) know who called (you). Whomever (you) said 'called' (you) is not in her circle to speak on her feelings towards a media/fandom made-up beef."

It is important to note that Reese's mother has written off a perceived feud between her daughter and Clark as "made-up," sharing a statement which suggests any feud has been fueled by media narratives.

Griffin returned to X to share a post in response, saying, "I spoke up in support of Angel Reese against racism not to start drama. But I won't let anyone twist the truth just because it's inconvenient to them. Instead of trying to check me, just tighten up your circle. They calling me and saying you hate Caitlin Clark, not the other way around."

I spoke up in support of Angel Reese against racism not to start drama. But I won’t let anyone twist the truth just because it’s inconvenient to them. Instead of trying to check me, just tighten up your circle. They calling me and saying you hate Caitlin Clark, not the other way…

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) July 10, 2025

He went on to say that he "won't pretend or lie just to protect feelings." 

Griffin's words have drawn the ire of more LSU royalty, as Shaquille O'Neal did not mince words when addressing the former Heisman winner during a podcast appearance.

"RG3, tweet another monkey post about my Angel Reese and I'm gonna punch you in your f—ing face," O'Neal said on the "Off The Record" show. "You've got your job, you've got your podcast, leave my Angel Reese alone. I'm the one calling her and telling her not to respond. F—ing stop it, that's the last time, OK?"

The three-time NBA Finals MVP added that "It's not real hate. If you look around what's going on in this world, country — that's hate," O'Neal said of Griffin's assertion that Reese hate's Clark. "This is sports, I'm not supposed to like you."

Through their LSU connection, Reese and O'Neal have forged a special bond over the years. O'Neal was a part of the group that accompanied Reese during her senior night at LSU, and they are now business partners as Reese is a Reebok signature athlete with Reebok, and O'Neal is the president of Reebok Basketball.