Sha’Carri Richardson is catching hell on social media after she appeared to throw shade at Olympian Allyson Felix.
Felix appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Tuesday, and when guest host Stephen A. Smith asked her about Richardson, she was graceful.
“She’s obviously been through so much,” Felix said. “I hope that she’s just supported. I hope that people rally around her. Obviously, she has a great personality, and she’s brought a lot of attention to the sport. I think she’ll be in the sport for a very long time.”
“I think just more than anything, for all athletes, there’s so much that goes into it — we just, you know, give her the support that she needs,” she continued.
Richardson made a cryptic post in her Instagram story the morning after Felix did her interview.
“Encouraging words on tv shows are just as real as well nothing at all,” Richardson wrote. The next slide read, “be a good person, but don’t waste time proving it.”
Ouch.
Richardson did not name Felix, but fans made the connection and got her together.
Idk how Shacarri fumbled that cause Allyson Felix is definitely who you’d want to hear encouraging words from & it could’ve turned into more.
— i went to.. pu.. PUBLIC school 😤 (@Gemini_AtHEART) August 26, 2021
“Idk how Shacarri fumbled that cause Allyson Felix is definitely who you’d want to hear encouraging words from & it could’ve turned into more,” tweeted one person.
Sha’Carri is stupid. That’s it, that’s all. You fuck up an Olympic bag, come in dead last after talking so much shit and now you wanna throw subs to Allyson Felix who said nothing but positive remarks about you? Man shut up.
— Madea but with a N (@SincerelyyNadia) August 25, 2021
Sha' Carri now just seems like she's only good at running her mouth and not the actual running 🤷🏿♂️🤦🏿♂️
— Claro 💉 (@dhegec) August 26, 2021
Amid the mudslinging, some users opted to give Richardson some grace.
Someone needs to pull Sha’Carri to the side.
Hoping someone helps her.— Scottie. (@ScottieBeam) August 25, 2021
“Someone needs to pull Sha’Carri to the side. Hoping someone helps her,” tweeted media personality Scottie Beam.
Why does Sha’carri have to have good sportsmanship? I love the IDGAFWABGTSAM type attitude on display from a woman in sports …… need more of it honestly
— Kara (@mylifeiskara) August 25, 2021
Sha’carri is 21. That’s literally a youth. Like, by definition…and socialization. Like, I’ve had young people her age in drop-in programs. Black youth will always get grace, patience, love, and opportunity to grow from me, in this world that grants them none.
— Dana White (@ItsDanaWhite) August 25, 2021
The 22-year-old sprinter hasn’t had the best week since she came in last place in the 100-meter at the Prefontaine Classic last week. It was her first race since a failed drug test caused her to miss the Summer Olympics. She was also scheduled to run the 200-meter but pulled out. Richardson maintained her fiery spirit after the race.
“Coming out today, it was a great return back to the sport. I wanted to be able to come and perform, having a month off, dealing with all I was dealing with,” she told NBC after the race. “I’m not upset at myself at all. This is one race. I’m not done. You know what I’m capable of. Count me out if you want to, talk all the [stuff] you want because I’m here to stay. I’m not done.”
Felix has not responded to the drama.
