Caitlin Clark isn't just a basketball phenomenon, she's a lifelong NFL fan, too. Clark has been long attending Kansas City games annually since childhood.

Clark made notable appearances at Arrowhead Stadium, including the time when she sat alongside Taylor Swift during the Chiefs' playoff victory. If anyone questions her loyalty to her team, when offered a Colts jersey at a Las Vegas Raiders game in Indianapolis, she declined it.

Clark's NFL passion took center stage during her second appearance on Jason and Travis Kelce's wildly popular "New Heights" podcast. The 2-time WNBA All-Star joined the Kelce brothers to kick off 2025 discussions.

While in conversation, Clark revealed her thoughts on Philip Rivers' unexpected return. Also added about the Indianapolis Colts after five years in retirement.  It was a move that shocked the football world.

When discussing Rivers' comeback, Clark didn't sugarcoat her concerns about the veteran quarterback's physical durability. "You've got to give him a lot of credit, and he was pretty good," Clark acknowledged, praising Rivers' performance across his three appearances. 

But her next comment revealed the fear she had, "I was worried he's like going to pop an Achilles," she admitted candidly. Clark's fears weren't unfounded. At 44 years old, Rivers became one of only six quarterbacks in NFL history to play at that age or older. He joined an exclusive club that included Tom Brady, Warren Moon, and so on.

The initial announcement seemed so shocking to Clark herself.  "Obviously, when I first saw that online, I was like 'oh, that's got to be fake news' because there's so much fake news out there these days," she confessed. Rivers himself acknowledged the risks, joking that if injured, he'd have "plenty of time to heal,”.

Clark's concerns about injury stem from personal experience. Because during her second WNBA season, she managed only 13 games. This was due to the quad, ankle, and other issues. Still, she averaged 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 1.6 steals when healthy.

"It was a long process to just get back on the court, because when you have the groins and the quads and whatever you're dealing with, it's like you don't run for a while. So, like, it's weird, like, learning to run again in a way," Clark reflected on her recovery journey.

Rivers' comeback story thus made her feel related to her understanding of what physical injuries endure at elite levels. He last played in 2020 at age 39, leading the Colts to an 11-5 record before retiring. His return was motivated by his relationship with head coach Shane Steichen and the familiarity of having 14 former teammates still on the roster.​

The podcast conversation took a spicy turn when Clark revealed her NFL playoff preferences with the Chiefs eliminated from postseason contention.

Caitlin Clark’s One Hard No NFL Team

When the Kelce brothers asked about her playoff picks outside Kansas City, Clark didn’t hesitate. She said she’s a big New England Patriots fan and gave a shoutout to rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

"Honestly, I'm a Drake Maye fan; I think he's been incredible," she told the hosts, adding that she'd probably be pulling for the Patriots. Clark also added the Los Angeles Rams as another team she could get behind.​

But the most memorable moment came when Travis asked if she could root for almost anyone left in the playoff field. Clark drew a hard line about one AFC East team in particular.

 "I hate the Buffalo Bills, ugh," she declared with a gesture that instantly became a highlight of the episode.

The candid response showcased her passion for the sport and her team, beyond basketball.

All CC and Chiefs fans leave a hi in the comments!

Written by

Ishika Ghosh

Edited by

Joyita Das