WNBA star Caitlin Clark slammed for ‘apologizing’ for her whiteness after being named Time ‘Athlete of the Year’

"I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a white person, there is privilege," Clark said in the interview. "A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been [b]lack players. This league has kind of been built on them. The more we can appreciate that, highlight that, talk about that, and then continue to have brands and companies invest in those players that have made this league incredible, I think it’s very important. I have to continue to try to change that. The more we can elevate [b]lack women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing."

Among those criticizing Clark was Megyn Kelly, who wrote, "Look at this. She’s on the knee all but apologizing for being white and getting attention. The self-flagellation. The 'oh pls pay attention to the black players who are REALY the ones you want to celebrate.' Condescending. Fake. Transparent. Sad."

Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk took aim at Clark’s "handlers," writing, "Caitlin Clark is getting very bad advice. The whole country is rejecting wokeism and anti-white ideology. She has a chance to stay neutral and failed miserably. Her handlers saw this as a chance to 'keep woke alive.’ Too bad. She’s an amazing athlete who totally missed on this one."

"This is embarrassing. Did she not get the memo that Trump won and it is no longer necessary to kiss every black a** in sight?" Dinesh D'Souza wrote.

Dan Bongino wrote, "So tired of this pathetic bullshit."

"Caitlin Clark's self-flagellation for being a successful white woman is disappointing and pathetic," another user added. "Until now she kept her class even as players physically bullied her and refs looked the other way. Never, ever, ever give in to the woke mob. Now she'll get what she's asking for."

Racial controversy has surrounded Clark's play in the WNBA as some players and fans have appeared disgruntled that a white player was gaining so much media attention and drawing more fans out to see WNBA games than in previous seasons.

In September, Sports columnist and commentator Skip Bayless said he "felt guilty" about cheering on Clark because "I did not want to look like this red state white guy cheering for this red state white girl. Our country feels split enough racially already. I didn't want to pour gasoline on that fire." He said that "but Caitlin Clark started to feel like, to me, some sort of new right-wing symbol, white woman, dominating a game dominated by black men and women, for years and years. I can almost hear some people thinking, 'White power, baby!'"

In May, Las Vegas Aces player A’ja Wilson told the Associated Press in regards to Clark’s popularity, "I think it’s a huge thing. I think a lot of people may say it’s not about Black and white, but to me, it is. It really is because you can be top notch at what you are as a Black woman, but yet maybe that’s something that people don’t want to see.."