Former NFL punter and prominent sports personality Pat McAfee is receiving serous backlash on social media after his latest comments about Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. He praised the WNBA sensation effusively while tearing down everyone who has downplayed her acumen and league-wide influence, but it is the NSFW manner in which he decided to defend her that is raising eyebrows.

“I would like the media people that continue to say, ‘This rookie class, this rookie class, this rookie class.' Nah, just call it for what it is — there's one white b***h for the Indiana team who is a superstar,” the WWE commentator said on Monday's edition of The Pat McAfee Show, via Awful Announcing.

McAfee's rant comes two days after Chennedy Carter committed a late hard foul on Clark in the second half of the Indiana Fever's 71-70 win over the Chicago Sky, which furthered the narrative that the former NCAA record-breaker is a target throughout the WNBA. For those who listened to the entirety of the segment, it is crystal clear that McAfee emphatically supports and respects Caitlin Clark.

Though, his message is being overshadowed by the term he used to describe the female athlete. The definition of the word in question has evolved among social circles throughout the years, but it is generally used as an insult. In this context, McAfee is essentially calling Clark a bad a**, an undeniable compliment to someone he obviously holds in high regard.

But there were obviously more elegant words he could have used to make his point. Many media members and pundits instantly honed in on that specific sound bite and lambasted the two-time Pro Bowl selection for placing such a label on a 22-year-old woman.

Pat McAfee gets scolded for Caitlin Clark monologue

“Beyond unacceptable,” Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic posted on X. “Can we just do a hard reset to women’s basketball coverage and discourse?” Dallas Jones of Hawkfanatic.com asked. “I need everyone to go through some media training. Fans and media members alike. Y’all have lost your mind.”

Based on how Pat McAfee expressed himself, he was obviously not trying to demean Caitlin Clark with his remark. But the focus went beyond intent for some individuals, due to the indelicate word he opted to exclaim.

“If that was my daughter, me and Pat McAfee, we would have to see each other,” Action News 5 sports director and former running back Marcus “Doc” Holliday said in a video. “I don't care what term of endearment you try to use, because that word is used as a term of an endearment at times on the streets, not on national platforms where anybody can put any context on the word they want to…Women shouldn't be called that.”

The last part of that quote will be met with widespread agreement, and rightly so. It is interesting, however, that the critics above do not highlight McAfee's overall sentiment, which is an especially relevant one given what transpired this past weekend.

Clark continues to be a main talking point in her WNBA rookie year

There are multiple rookies who could leave their imprint in the WNBA, but there is no denying that Clark is the face of her class and a driving force in the league. Other players have thrown jabs and downplayed her transcendent impact on the game, which appears to be the driving force behind McAfee's zeal in the first place. Many are glossing past this message, however.

The No. 1 overall pick is definitely navigating some unfamiliar struggles– scored three points on 1-of-10 shooting in Sunday's 104-68 loss to the New York Liberty–, but she is providing women's basketball with invaluable and historic exposure.

It is only fair to mention that Caitlin Clark is guilty of her own on-court aggression, something that was on display when she shoved an opponent to the ground in an Iowa game last season, via Athlon Sports' Grant Young. There is plenty to unpack from all angles. Focusing solely on McAfee's remarks will prevent the media and fans from looking through a complete lens of information.

Whether she is lionized or vilified, the Caitlin Clark narrative is not cut and dried. Pat McAfee hopes ESPN feels the same way about his language.