Star NFL Shannon Sharp lashed out at Alyssa Thomas in a new video after the All-Star WNBA was disqualified from the game for a serious foul (second degree) against Caitlin Clarke of the Indiana Fever. On an episode of his "Nightcap" podcast, the former Denver Broncos player claimed that Thomas "deserved a suspension" for grabbing Clarke by the throat during a tense game this week.
Shannon Sharp spoke out about the second-degree flagrant foul committed by Alyssa Thomas against Caitlin Clark.
«"Even if you say intent—because intent only matters to the person doing the action—Caitlin Clarke still has a sore throat whether she intended to do it or not," Sharp told his co-hosts, Chad and Jo Johnson.
Sharp's comments came days after video surfaced of Thomas punching Clarke in the throat while attempting to steal the ball during the Phoenix Mercury's 111-109 win over Clarke & Fever. A day later, the WNBA announced Thomas's one-game suspension.
While Sharp and his co-hosts didn't claim Thomas's actions were intentional, he said that "physics teaches us" that no one falls to the ground clenching their fists. Rather, a falling person would attempt to brace themselves by spreading their arms out to the sides.
During the conversation, Sharpe mentioned the 2024 incident involving former Chicago Sky star Angel Reese. During a play, Thomas knocked Reese down in mid-air, sending the LSU alum to the ground. Thomas was ejected.
«"So I have no problem with them upping the severance and suspending her, given her past infractions," Sharp said. "We saw actions unrelated to basketball. This wasn't a basketball action on her part. She deserved the suspension.".
Stephen A. Smith breaks silence on cash cow Caitlin Clarke.
Sharpe isn't the only sports figure to speak out about Clarke's recent foul. On an episode of ESPN's "First Take," Smith hinted that some WNBA players are jealous of Clarke's fame and popularity.
«"There's a blatant dislike for Caitlin Clarke, and it's been that way since she came into the league. She's a cash cow," he said on air. "There's a palpable dislike for this girl. There are people who are jealous of her star status and authority, and so if they get the chance to attack her, they'll take it.".
Smith credits Caitlin Clark with the WNBA's rise in popularity.
Smith condemned Clarke's behavior within the league, particularly her insults toward other players, and said her colleagues "failed" to respect her contributions to the WNBA.
«"I think some people haven't appreciated the principle that a rising tide lifts all boats. You have to exploit this cash cow until it falls apart," he said. "That's what they did in the NBA with Magic Johnson. That's what they did with Michael Jordan. That's how it's done.".
«"When you find someone who brings people together and wins the public's favor in such a way that wherever they go and whatever they do, everyone wants to watch them, you don't envy it. You feed off it to build your own career," he added.
And while Smith said the WNBA still has a long way to go to become as polished a product as the NBA, he said no one should hinder the league's cash cow.
Fever head coach Stephanie White criticized the judges.
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According to a previous report from The Blast, Fever head coach Stephanie White was furious with WNBA referees for not calling a foul on Thomas early in the game.
«"First of all, this is just outrageous. This is absolutely egregious and extremely disrespectful behavior," she said. "And secondly, do you know what happened two days ago, and this crap is still happening? Absolutely unacceptable. Absolutely unacceptable.".
During the post-match press conference, White also said that Thomas' actions were "insane and dangerous.".
Clarke comments on his playing style.
Prior to the Thomas incident, the University of Iowa graduate made headlines after receiving her fifth technical foul during her previous game against the Mercury on Monday, June 22. In a post-game interview, Clarke stated that she spoke with the referees about the foul, and they told her it was for provocation and unsportsmanlike conduct.
Although she disagreed with the referees' stance, Clarke said she had no intention of changing anything about her game. "I'm going to play with emotion, I'm going to play with passion, and if they call me a technical foul for clapping, so be it. That's their choice," she said.
Read also: WNBA fans were thrilled after Angel Reese hit her first 3-pointer for the ATL Dream.