LeSean McCoy just made his boldest claim yet. The two-time NFL champion's bold take on the influence of Caitlin Clark ignited a firestorm online.

On the "Speakeasy" talk show, in a heated debate regarding the most influential white athlete of all time, McCoy named Caitlin Clark.

"She’s the most influential women’s athlete of all time... Who was watching women's basketball? ... And then we get this girl who's like Steph Curry everybody watching!" McCoy said.

McCoy's co-hosts and guests believed his words were far from the truth as comparisons started. "I think Serena Williams was great. But who was watching women’s basketball? You weren’t. I wasn’t," argued the former NFL star.

"Women’s basketball is looked at like the NBA, like the NFL. They’ve got their own channels now on ESPN. When was the last time you heard people talking about women’s basketball on TV? Now they’re going to talk about Luka, and they’re going to talk about Caitlin Clark," The 37-year-old added to his defence.

CC did not waste any time adjusting to the league, as the Rookie of the Year averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists over the 40 games she played in. It is also worth noting that the Fever star's team accounted for 26.5% of the WNBA's total economic activity, including ticket sales, merchandise, and television deals.

Fans React to LeSean McCoy's Bold Caitlin Clark Statement

Social media is ruthless, as McCoy's comments about Caitlin Clark being the "most influential female athlete of all time" are getting regarded as one of the most obvious showcases of recency bias.

"Of late, she’s up there. Of all time? In every woman’s sport? Absolutely not lol," one netizen commented. The user commented that CC might be the best in recent times, but having her named the best so early in her career feels disrespectful to veterans like Serena Williams, Billie Jean King, and Mia Hamm.

Another user expressed a similar sentiment, "Maybe in the last 5 years." McCoy's comments felt so bizarre to some fans that one believed the 37-year-old just wanted to go viral.

"This is what engagement farming on a slow day looks like," the fan commented. "Nothing against Clark, but his statement is a gross exaggeration," another user shared.

Yet, what's your take on McCoy's comment about Caitlin Clark? Tell us in the comments section.

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi