Caitlin Clark hints at gender double standard with trash talk, says Angel Reese 'should never' be criticized

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Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are now two of the most popular names in all of sports, but some feel it's for all the wrong reasons.

Upon winning the national championship on Sunday, LSU's Reese pulled off the ring celebration as well as John Cena's "You Can't See Me" taunt near Clark, who has used the latter several times.

The celebrations drew controversy, as many called Reese's actions poor sportsmanship — some went as far as to say it was "classless."

Perhaps some were shocked to see such heated competition in a women's game and are used to seeing taunting in men's sports. Clark seems to think that may be the issue with many.

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LSU's Angel Reese reacts in front of Iowa's Caitlin Clark during the second half of the NCAA Women's Final Four championship basketball game Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

When speaking to ESPN on Tuesday, Clark hinted at a double standard between men and women in terms of trash talk during competition. The Iowa superstar says the jawing on the floor can actually grow the women's game.

"I think men have always had trash talk. That's what it's been, and I think more and more people, as they turn on the game, they're appreciating it for what it is," Clark said Tuesday. "I'm just lucky enough that I get to play this game and have emotion and wear it on my sleeves, and so does everybody else. So that should never be torn down, that should never be criticized, because I believe that's what makes this game so fun. That's what draws people to this game, that's what draws it to the pro level, to college level, to the high school level.