Sometimes, sports combined with popularity can take an ugly turn. Especially, when fans have fun at the expense of the players of the opposing teams. A study released by the NCAA on Thursday revealed that the toxicity levels against players spike in March Madness. Of these, women basketball players are targeted more often than their male counterparts. Last season too, the NCAA saw a lot of hate against stars like Caitlin Clark, who revolutionized the viewership in women’s college basketball. However, sharing her trouble is her boyfriend Connor McCaffery.

McCaffery, in a news release, opened up on the impact of such unruly behavior by fans, divulging that he has seen his loved ones taking a hit metaphorically. “There must be more done to address this toxic behavior impacting sports at all levels,” McCaffery opined as he requested the authorities to look for a possible solution.

According to the report, women athletes received thrice the hate that men. The NCAA tournaments were the peak time for the players to go through such distress. About 6% of the posts targeting athletes were also violent. “I was shocked by the volume in addition to the profanity that was being directed at the kids,” NCAA president Charlie Baker stated. And naturally, one of the biggest former NCAA stars was at the center of the backlash.

During the Iowa’s Championship clash against the Gamecocks, Clark & Co. were consistently outplayed by Dawn Staley’s mentees. This was the 22-year-old’s second NCAA Championship title outing and she had lost once again. Taking note of the same, fans commented that Clark was “overrated.” This soon became a trend on social media as many followers had the same opinion, sometimes delving into condemning language.

At such point, Staley and the NBA star LeBron James had to come to her rescue. “If you don’t rock with Caitlin Clark game you’re just a FLAT OUT HATER!!!!! Stay far away from them people!! PLEASE,” James tweeted. Even Staley thanked Clark for “lifting up our sport.” And other than these two, the best person to understand Clark is her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery.

Connor McCaffery has been a victim of online hate

The McCaffery family is completely into basketball. While Fran McCaffery is a coach at the Iowa Hawkeyes basketball team, Connor and Patrick have played for their father in the NCAA. However, when the youngest Jack McCaffery had to choose a college this year, he went for the Buttler Bulldogs, which came as a surprise for many.

In his defense, Jack revealed that his two brothers and mother had gone through a lot during their time with the Hawkeyes as the two were expected to give their best, considering they were coach’s sons. Furthermore, it also sparked the nepotism debate in basketball, sometimes crossing the line. He concluded that he would want to “blaze my own path.”

Therefore going by Jack’s words, it is clear that Connor has endured much, which makes him the perfect person to understand Clark’s problems. Hopefully, fans will introspect and take note of their actions, and aim to provide a safer league for players. Or else like the No. 22 said in her exit interview, they’re trolls, not fans.