It was supposed to be a celebration of sports. A night to honor athletes, uplift stories of perseverance, and bring fans together. But instead, the ESPY Awards once again became a battleground of controversy—this time, over a joke that many say went too far. And once again, at the center of the storm was WNBA star Caitlin Clark.

During the awards show, comedian Shane Gillis took the stage and made a comment that quickly lit social media on fire: “When Caitlin Clark retires from the WNBA, she’s going to work at a Waffle House so she can continue doing what she loves most—fist fighting Black women.”

The crowd laughed. But millions of others didn’t.

Online reactions were swift and divided. For some, it was just another edgy joke at a celebrity’s expense. But for many others, it was a step too far—irresponsible, racially charged, and dangerously misleading. Critics didn’t just question whether it was funny; they asked whether it was acceptable at all.

To understand the backlash, you have to understand the layers beneath the joke.

First, the punchline builds on an ugly stereotype that has followed Clark throughout her rise to stardom: the idea that she benefits from “white privilege” in a league where most of her peers are Black. That perception—stoked by both subtle jabs and overt accusations—has turned Caitlin Clark into a lightning rod for conversations about race in women’s basketball.

The joke also hinges on a connection between Waffle House and a string of viral videos involving late-night fights—many of which feature Black patrons. In recent years, the restaurant chain has been associated with both chaotic brawls and racial profiling allegations. So when Gillis tied Clark to that imagery, critics say he didn’t just make a joke—he reinforced a narrative: that Clark is combative, racially insensitive, or worse.

Adrienne Ross, a former athlete and podcast host, didn’t hold back in her reaction. “That joke is not funny. It’s in poor taste. It’s irresponsible,” she said. “They are painting Caitlin Clark as someone who has a problem with Black women. That’s not just a joke—that’s a dangerous narrative.”

And it’s not the first time this has happened.

At last year’s ESPYs, Caitlin Clark was the subject of another racially coded comment. Then, it was about how she was “the Larry Bird” of her generation, loved by Indiana and “white people.” While that joke drew fewer headlines at the time, many now see it as part of a pattern—an ongoing effort to attach race narratives to Clark’s career, regardless of her own actions.

To be clear, Caitlin Clark has never publicly made any racially insensitive remarks. She’s never been involved in on-court altercations rooted in race. And despite being physically targeted in games, she’s often chosen not to retaliate—opting instead to walk away or keep her head down.

Still, the narrative persists. And for some, the ESPYs joke only confirmed their worst fears: that Clark has become a convenient target, not just because of her fame, but because of the racial dynamics surrounding it.

Supporters argue that Clark has been under relentless scrutiny since joining the WNBA, from physical fouls that go unpunished to public criticism over things she’s never said. The pressure she faces isn’t just about performance—it’s about politics, identity, and perception.

Opponents of the joke say that what makes this situation worse is the platform. The ESPYs are meant to honor athletes, not humiliate them. And when the biggest moment of recognition for one of the league’s brightest stars is overshadowed by a racially divisive punchline, it sends a troubling message.

So what happens now?

Calls are growing for award shows and public events to rethink how comedy is used—especially when it targets individuals who are already carrying heavy social baggage. As Adrienne Ross put it, “Let’s just enjoy the sport. Cut out the race-baiting. It’s tired. It’s old. And frankly, it’s irresponsible.”

For Caitlin Clark, the noise surrounding her only seems to grow louder. But if her career so far is any indication, she won’t be stepping back. She’ll be stepping up.

Maybe the real story here isn’t the joke. It’s the resilience of an athlete who keeps showing up, keeps playing hard, and keeps rising—no matter how many times the world tries to make her the villain of someone else’s punchline.