Ryan Clark-Robert Griffin III beef, explained: Why ESPN analysts got into online spat involving RG3's wife

As football's offseason rolls on, things have gotten contentious between Ryan Clark and Robert Griffin III. 

Each of the retired NFL players has carved a lane for themselves as football analysts and podcasters who speak on a wide range of topics. And while both made a living on the gridiron, their recent feud stems from commentary about happenings on the hardwood.

In the 72 hours following Caitlin Clark's hard foul on Angel Reese in the WNBA season opener, Griffin's comments on the matter drew a response from Ryan Clark in a podcast short. Because Griffin took exception to what his former ESPN and NFL teammate had to say, the two traded shots on X (formerly Twitter).

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Here is everything to know about the beef between analysts.

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Ryan Clark-Robert Griffin III beef, explained

On Saturday, May 17, there were millions of eyes on the WNBA as Caitlin Clark's Fever hosted Reese's Sky in one of the first marquee matchups of the year. In the third quarter, Clark's Flagrant 1 foul on Reese (and Reese's reaction) quickly became the talking point from the game, and Griffin joined the conversation.

After sharing a photo of the foul's aftermath on X to drum up engagement, Griffin returned to the platform a day later to address the incident.

He made full use of his expanded character limit with a post that in part reads, "Angel Reese hates Caitlin Clark," and adds that "Some people get uncomfortable when you say Angel Reese hates or is jealous of Caitlin Clark because of the complex racial history of America and the historical stereotypes of the angry or jealous Black woman. I understand that."

The post was accompanied by a 134-second preview of a 22-minute podcast episode Griffin dedicated to the matter, while his wife is seated in a chair behind him.

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 18, 2025

A day later, Ryan Clark shared a clip from his podcast, "The Pivot," in which he says, "RGIII plays into the narrative that Reese is the villain of Clark's origin story. … Add him to the list of Black men who've adopted the corny trend of denigrating Black women to affirm their choices."

RGIII saying he could recognize “hate when ‘he’ see(s) it”, when referring to Angel Reese’s feelings toward Caitlin Clark was irresponsible, but not at all surprising. Clark’s the biggest star in women’s basketball, & deservedly so. No need to beat up Reese to add shine to it.… pic.twitter.com/u2IDFwctf0

— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) May 19, 2025

Within the 3:45 video clip, Clark gets into Griffin's personal life, saying, "The one thing we know about RG3 is he's not having conversations at his home about what Black women have to endure in this country, about what young Black women and athletes like Angel Reese have had to deal with, being on the opposite side of Caitlin Clark's rise into stardom."

Clark continues by asking, "When is the last time, within your household, you've had a conversation about what [Reese is] dealing with? You haven't been able to do that, 'cause in both of your marriages, you've been married to white women. You haven't been able to have those conversations."

He also took issue with Griffin's choice to bob his head animatedly when mimicking Reese's reaction to the foul, adding that Griffin's wife was egging him on from her position in the background.

MORE: WNBA investigating allegations of racist comments towards Angel Reese

Clark went on to say that during their time as ESPN teammates, Griffin would make "corny" milk jokes about his Estonian wife, adding that Griffin speaks and acts as though the color of his wife's skin is what makes her special, but made sure to add that "I've met the lady, I've had a conversation with her. I think she's more than that."

Hours later, Griffin returned with a response to Clark, saying "There's a line you don't cross in life and Ryan Clark sprinted past it," adding that "It is wildly inappropriate, wrong and extremely low to weaponize and attack a person’s wife, marriage and their family because you disagree with a sports take."

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 19, 2025

Griffin went as far as saying Clark's response was "cowardly, spineless, and week," calling the decision "a bad look for ESPN and for him as a man."

Clark quoted Griffin's post, referring to their time together on ESPN and calling back to a history of personal issues they've had. In addition to working together at ESPN, Clark and Griffin were briefly teammates with the Washington Redskins in 2014.

To close his post, Clark said, "I didn't attack your wife. I spoke on what you do on social media and TV. Like I said. I met your wife and she seemed like a lovely lady that was worth more than the color of her skin! You be good bruh."

Bruh you know what it is with me and you! I saved you the entire season on MNF. I urged people to let you be you. No matter how corny, how bad a teammate you were I had your back. What did you do? Invite someone on your show you know I don’t fool with to ask questions about me,… https://t.co/DVowpagZFk

— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) May 19, 2025

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Who is Robert Griffin III's wife?

Griffin's wife is Grete Griffin (née Šadeiko), a former heptathlete from Estonia.

She competed at Florida State from 2012 to 2017, earning First Team All-ACC honors as a redshirt sophomore in 2015 and a redshirt junior in 2016. She and Griffin were first linked to one another in August 2016 when she was a redshirt senior and Griffin was with the Browns.

The couple became engaged in May 2017, had their first child in July 2017, and wed in March 2018. They now have three daughters together and also spend time raising Griffin's fourth daughter from a previous marriage.

Grete runs a fitness business in addition to co-hosting Robert's "Outta Pocket with RGIII" podcast.