Sophie Cunningham’s Loyalty Sparks NFL-Level Respect
Sophie Cunningham may have been ejected, fined, and hit with a flagrant 2, but she also earned a ton of respect. Especially from NFL players, after standing up for Caitlin Clark during a chaotic Fever win on Tuesday night.
In the 88-71 victory over the Connecticut Sun, tensions boiled over late in the fourth quarter. Clark had already been shoved to the floor after taking a hit to the face from Jacy Sheldon. That didn’t sit well with Cunningham, who retaliated with a hard foul on Sheldon during a meaningless breakaway layup with less than a minute to go.
NFL’s Jared Verse Weighs In: “Standing on Business!”
One of the most unexpected shoutouts came from Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse, who posted the viral clip of the foul with one loud approval:
“THIS STANDING ON BUSINESS!!!!”
The moment has resonated with fans, especially those who feel Clark’s star status has made her a target. While the WNBA fined Cunningham, she avoided suspension. Still, her act of loyalty didn’t go unnoticed.
Cunningham’s Popularity Surges
Cunningham’s gritty foul didn’t just go viral; it turned into a branding win. Her jersey sales have reportedly spiked since the altercation. For many, she became a symbol of what it means to defend a teammate no matter the consequences.
Clark, as the WNBA’s biggest draw, clearly has teammates willing to go to war for her, and Sophie Cunningham is quickly becoming a fan favorite because of it.