Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever star known for her deep 3-pointers and record-breaking college career, is enjoying massive popularity in the WNBA. During the 2024 regular season, she averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game while setting a new WNBA rookie assist record, surpassing the previous 225-assist mark held by Ticha Penicheiro.
That’s why she’s not just the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year but a walking highlight reel and undoubtedly a future WNBA legend. But while Clark rules the hearts of WNBA fans, she also has her own favorite sports personalities. And when she recently revealed her top NFL player, it left two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning feeling a little, well, mad.
Caitlin Clark Picks Her Favorite NFL Player and It’s Not Eli Manning
During her appearance on “The Eli Manning Show,” Clark revealed her favorite former and current NFL players while casually playing indoor golf. Her revelation came when the legendary New York Giants quarterback popped a simple question:
“Who’s your favorite NFL player?”
Clark, being her usual thoughtful self, asked if he meant a current or former player. Eli, confident in his guess, playfully replied, “It can be anybody… standing next to you… anybody.”
To which the 2024 WNBA All-Star responded:
“Former, I’m going with Peyton [Manning]. I actually had a Peyton Manning jersey growing up. Not to make you mad,” Clark said, pointing at Eli. “But I’m going with Peyton.”
WNBA star Caitlin Clark says she had Peyton Manning jersey to piss off Eli Manning if she ever had the chance to meet them 😭😭😭pic.twitter.com/8nM28jnh0o
— FirstSportz NFL (@FirstSportz_NFL) March 7, 2025
While Eli played along, pretending to be upset, Clark quickly followed up with her favorite current player, “We’re going with Patrick Mahomes. You know I’m a big Chiefs fan.”
Clark Ready To Kickstart Upcoming WNBA Season With New Coach
Despite having a star-studded roster featuring WNBA standouts like Clark, Lexie Hull, and Kelsey Mitchell, the Indiana Fever fell short of championship glory last season. The team wrapped up their campaign with a 20-20 record, finishing sixth in the league — far from the title aspirations fans had hoped for but much improved from the year prior.
Now, with a fresh season on the horizon, the Fever are looking to achieve more. A major change has already taken place, with Christie Sides out as head coach and Stephanie White in.
White returned to the Fever in November last year. She previously held the position back in 2014 and led the Fever to the WNBA Finals in her first season.