Whoopi Goldberg and Sunny Hostin of “The View” staunchly defended Chennedy Clark following a contentious incident where she forcefully collided with top draft pick Caitlin Clark during a recent WNBA match. The Chicago Sky player received significant criticism after appearing to utter a profanity while executing the aggressive move, resulting in a flagrant foul.

Addressing the controversy on Monday’s episode of the talk show, Goldberg urged viewers to shift their perspective and recognize WNBA players as formidable athletes. “Let’s keep it real here, folks. We’re talking about basketball. This is part of the game,” Goldberg emphasized, pointing out that physical plays like these are not uncommon in the sport. She cited another recent incident involving Angel Reese, Clark’s teammate, who faced backlash for cheering when Clark was knocked down.

“This is about asserting dominance on the court. It’s not about personal animosity,” Goldberg clarified. Hostin echoed her sentiment, emphasizing that such confrontations are inherent to the competitive nature of basketball. The co-hosts emphasized the need to contextualize these actions within the framework of professional sports rather than interpreting them solely as confrontational incidents.

‘Just because they’re women … get over yourselves, they’re athletes,’ Goldberg said

“Let’s remember, they’re not out there on the court for tea parties. They’re there to win. And just because they’re women, we need to get over ourselves and recognize them as athletes,” Hostin asserted, highlighting the competitive nature of professional basketball.

As a member of the WNBPA board of advocates, Hostin emphasized that basketball is inherently a contact sport, acknowledging that Clark’s forceful collision with Caitlin Clark was indeed a clear flagrant foul. Despite this acknowledgment, she maintained the importance of viewing such incidents within the broader context of athletic competition rather than allowing gender biases to cloud judgment.

“This is maybe the fifth time on this show we’re talking about the WNBA guys, this is unbelievable,” Hostin remarked, highlighting the rarity of WNBA coverage in mainstream discussions.

Acknowledging the physicality of the game, Hostin emphasized that WNBA players engage in anything but dainty play. She noted that as spectators, witnessing such intense moments may evoke reactions of awe and even discomfort. However, Hostin stressed that enduring and thriving amidst such rough play is what ultimately contributes to the players’ growth and improvement on the court.

Clark was inexplicably bodychecked to the ground by Carter during Saturday’s game

The Iowa alum has dominated news headlines since she was slammed to the ground 

“It’s gonna make Caitlin better. It’s gonna make Angel better. It’s gonna make the league better,” Hostin reiterated, underscoring the transformative effect of such intense competition on both individual players and the WNBA as a whole.

Goldberg chimed in, emphasizing the essence of sportsmanship and acknowledging the remarkable skills exhibited by WNBA athletes. “This is what sports are. They play hard and they play brilliantly. Because none of us can beat them. None of us can do what they can do so let’s give them their due. They’re doing their thing,” Goldberg affirmed.

Chennedy Clark, the WNBA’s No. 1 overall pick, has dominated headlines following the contentious incident where she was brutally fouled by Carter during the Fever’s narrow victory over the Sky. Despite her undeniable talent, Clark has faced consistent rough treatment from opponents during her rookie season, with speculation swirling about jealousy stemming from her explosive impact on women’s basketball.

Pat McAfee bizarrely called her a ‘white b****’ while live on a national ESPN broadcast 

The TV host posted a groveling apology to Clark, saying he has ‘way too much respect for her’

Pat McAfee found himself in hot water after making a regrettable remark about Caitlin Clark during a live broadcast on ESPN. His use of the term “white b****” to describe her sparked immediate backlash, prompting McAfee to issue a public apology for his choice of words.

“I shouldn’t have used ‘white b****’ as a descriptor of Caitlin Clark. No matter the context… even if we’re talking about race being a reason for some of the stuff happening… I have way too much respect for her and women to put that into the universe,” he expressed in his apology on X.

During the segment, McAfee sought to highlight Clark’s exceptional talent by comparing her to fellow rookies Angel Reese and Cameron Brink. He argued that Clark stands out as a superstar in her own right, particularly noting her transformative impact on the Iowa program.

“I would like the media people that continue to say ‘this rookie class, this rookie class, this rookie class’ – no, just call it for what it is,” McAfee asserted on the Pat McAfee show. “There’s one standout player for the Indiana team who is a superstar. Is it because she stayed at Iowa, put an entire state on her back, and turned a program from nothing into a multiple-year success story?”