U.S. Representative from Indiana’s 3rd congressional district, Marlin Stutzman, made a bold claim about the flagrant fouls committed against Caitlin Clark. Appearing on Fox News on Monday, Stutzman, who signed a letter addressed to the WNBA along with 10 other Republican lawmakers demanding Clark’s safety, said players would be charged with “assault” for their fouls against the Fever star if they weren’t on a basketball court.
“If this sort of behavior would happen on a factory floor at a Ford facility, that person could be charged with assault,” Stutzman said. “I’m not saying that’s what has to happen (to players), but what I am saying is this sort of behavior cannot be tolerated without greater suspensions or some sort of discipline.”
Clark has faced nine flagrant fouls since entering the WNBA. That included several off-ball plays as well. While the outrage over those fouls took center stage in that moment, it didn’t last as long as the conversations surrounding the latest incident involving Alyssa Thomas.
On Jun. 24, when the Phoenix Mercury and Indiana Fever matched up, Thomas appeared to put her fist on Clark’s neck. The officials didn’t review the incident in real time. However, the WNBA suspended Thomas upon later review and issued a Flagrant 2 foul.
Thomas shared that she received death threats from opposing fans. Shortly after, political figures, media, and activists whom Clark and the Fever have denied links to have intervened. The Fever said in a statement that they were unaware of lawmakers sending a letter to the WNBA demanding Clark’s safety. They added that there was no interaction with the congressional group.
Marlin Stutzman clarifies Congress’s unprompted defense of Caitlin Clark
Congress’s letter raised eyebrows about the political group’s involvement in the Caitlin Clark officiating controversy. Several people felt they were pushing an agenda. However, Indiana Congressman Marlin Stutzman shot down speculation, suggesting the motives were to encourage fairness from a sporting perspective.
“Well, this one – it’s more attention, it’s a higher profile story because, you know what, when somebody calls our office and says, hey, out here, even on the farm, we have problems or somebody gets hurt, what can we do to make sure people don’t get hurt?” he said on Monday on Fort Wayne’s Morning News Podcast.
“That’s why I feel I have a responsibility to step in and support my constituents. We want to be sure that when a basketball game is on TV, and young girls are aspiring and watching Caitlin Clark play basketball and somebody sees a fist to the throat- what is a young girl supposed to think of that?”
Congress now awaits WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s response to its letter. They have given league officials a two-week timeline to give an explanation and reveal their plan of action to prevent harsh fouls against Clark.
Read more:
- Jason Whitlock Slams Caitlin Clark’s Attitude With Officials After “One of the Worst Flops” vs the Aces
- Dan Dakich Calls Out Cathy Engelbert’s ‘Tone-Deaf’ Leadership In WNBA’s Golden Era Following Dan Patrick Show Snub
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