Val James, Caitlin Clark and the price of being a pioneer

It seems the last few months, everyone has an opinion on WNBA rookie and college basketball star, Caitlin Clark. She seems to be the catalyst for why women's basketball is becoming popular throughout the country.

As the catalyst though, it seems she is taking the brunt of criticism and hate from all sides of the debate. It is criticism that is not fair to her and comes from a place that is through no fault of her own.

Val James went through his own criticism and hate, as he was also a pioneer in professional sports. Val was the first United States born black hockey player in the NHL. Due to that simple fact, he was taunted with racist words and gestures throughout his career. Some fans of opposing teams even threw bananas onto the ice during his games.

James became a strong enforcer during his NHL and his minor league hockey career. In the 1981/1982 season, while with the Rochester Americans, he had 204 penalty minutes. Val was able to channel the frustration he felt by fans and opposing players on the ice. He is remembered fondly in both Rochester and Buffalo.

For Clark, on the Indiana Fever, she has endured criticism from several outlets about her ability to grow the game from those opposed to that very growth. She also has been criticized for being the game's most popular player despite the WNBA being in existence for 25 years. The Fever star endured a flagrant cheap shot during a game recently against the Chicago Sky.

Clark is a straight white player in a league that has predominantly minority and LGBTQ+ players. James was a black player in a league predominately and still has white players. Both are not prerequisites for bullying and criticism.

James was able to grow the sport of hockey with players such as Jordan Greenway following in his footsteps. Clark should be able to grow her game and if the criticism stops, many players should be able to follow in her footsteps.