Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., has criticized a USA Today columnist's recent opinion piece that drew a comparison between WNBA player Caitlin Clark and the historical figure Emmett Till. King, a Fox News contributor, described the column as "pure race-baiting" and a predictable tactic by the left-wing media to evoke emotional responses.

The USA Today column, written by Nancy Armour, suggested that Clark's presence in the WNBA could endanger Black and lesbian players. King stated that there was no justification for invoking Emmett Till's name in this context, asserting that such language is designed to manipulate emotions and prevent clear thinking.

"I've seen every kind of race-baiting that you can imagine. I'm 75 years old," King told OutKick. "There was no reason to throw Emmett Till's name out there. And so, that's called race-baiting."

King advised the public to be discerning and not to be "misled by emotional turmoil without examining the facts." She also noted that she had not been contacted by Armour or anyone from USA Today Sports for comment or to provide alternative viewpoints on the matter.

Armour, in a statement released by USA Today, explained that her intention was to connect the current issues facing the WNBA with the All-Star Game being hosted in Chicago, Till's hometown. However, she acknowledged that she "did not provide enough context for that." Despite this, Armour maintained that her central point "stands," referring to a history in the U.S. of "perceived threats to white women being weaponized against African-Americans."

This is not the first time Armour has written critically about Clark. Earlier in 2024, Armour suggested Clark needed to "call out the toxic segment of her fan base" after an incident with player DiJonai Carrington. In her recent column, Armour alleged that Clark's on-court behavior and reactions to calls were inciting negative messages toward other WNBA players, framing Clark as a problematic figure due to her race, sexual orientation, and popularity.

OutKick also reported reaching out to the NAACP national office for comment but had not received a response as of Thursday.

In a separate commentary on the USA Today piece, Fox News contributor Tyrus also decried the comparison as "racist" and "disrespectful."