Angel Reese shooting in practiceAngel Reese (Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese made history this week.

She was named BET Sportswoman of the Year for the third consecutive year.

The 23-year-old WNBA athlete was honored Sunday night at the 2025 BET Awards, continuing a winning streak that began in 2023 when she was still playing for the LSU Tigers.

Known as the “Bayou Barbie,” Reese rose to national prominence during her standout college career at LSU, where she led the Tigers to a national championship in 2023, defeating Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes in the process.

Since being drafted by the Chicago Sky in April, Reese has drawn praise for her rebounding prowess and aggressive playing style. She has quickly become one of the WNBA’s most talked-about players on and off the court.

 

Unfortunately for her, she, as well as BET, is catching significant backlash over this award.

Angel Reese beat out several notable athletes to receive this award, including Simone Biles, Coco Gauff, Sha’Carri Richardson, Juju Watkins, and A’ja Wilson.

Fans aren’t happy that Reese has already won BET Sportswoman of the Year three times.

Social Media Rips BET Over Angel Reese Receiving Award


“Over A’ja, Sha’Carri and Simone Biles??? Wasn’t there outrage on a certain Mt. Rushmore post recently? 😂😂 this why I can’t take you folks seriously fr lol,” one fan said.

“What went into the voting? Level of play? Off court contributions? Obviously, my mind goes to A’ja, Biles, and Gabby Thomas. I mean Sydney Mclaughin-LeVrone as well…,” a second fan stated.

“How is she winning awards for being ass,” a third fan asked.

“Is this a Make a Wish Award?” a fourth fan asked of Angel Reese winning.

“for quite literally being inefficient and bad at the sport? How? She’s a “big” and shoots 30% from the field. won 0 major awards and was on one of the worst teams in the sport. A’ja Wilson got shafted. Sickening,” a final fan commented.

Houston Texans star Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his illegal hit to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the ensuing brawl between the teams in a lengthy statement on social media.  

Al-Shaair’s statement comes as his three-game suspension as a result of the incident has ended and he is slated to return to the field for the Texans on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

On December 1, an Al-Shaair hit to the head of a sliding and defenseless Lawrence caused chaos in Jacksonville. The defensive back needed to be restrained by several coaches and Lawrence has not played since taking the barbaric contact.

‘While so many jumped at the first opportunity to hop on the false narrative – that l’m a dirty player or bad person – the messages from all who stood by me were the only things keeping me mentally afloat during a time of isolation,’ Al-Shaair said on social media.

‘I’ve learned so much from this entire experience. Seeing myself on video – letting my emotions get the best of me to the point where I completely lost it – was an embarrassing and eye-opening moment for me.’

‘I’ve had to earn everything in my life. I never want to allow anyone to get me to a point where I jeopardize everything that I’ve worked all my life to obtain. That was not the way I want to represent myself or my family and I will continue to learn and grow from that moment.’

Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence
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Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence

The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence
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The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence

Al-Shaair said during his three-game ban, he met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league executives for the first time, taking issue with how he was characterized in the official announcement of his suspension.

The defender said he thought his character and integrity were ‘unjustifiably smeared’ in the release but the meeting with Goodell and others was ‘productive’ and gave him hope it would not happen again.

‘In that conversation – man-to-man – I owned and acknowledged that my actions following my ejection were careless and, in that moment, I didn’t think about the responsibility I have been blessed with to represent the shield,’ Al-Shaair continued.

‘I also stated that the letter, and specifically the language used in the letter, was equally as careless and conveyed that the context of the words used were not a reflection of my character, nor my career, as I have not been warned multiple times for my play on the field.’

Al-Shaair’s hit on Lawrence was not the only controversial incident he was involved in this season.

During the Texans’ game against the Bears in September, he punched Roschon Johnson, who wasn’t even in the game at the time of another sideline confrontation.

Al-Shaair ended his statement by saying his view is that everyone in the league office and on the field are on the same team to represent the NFL in the best nature possible, something he failed to do earlier this month.

‘Lastly, I’ll say that this world is full of negative people who can’t wait to tear you down, but if you move with love and compassion, the seeds of good you planted in others’ lives can grow into the very tree that shades you with comfort and compassion when you need it most,’ Al-Shaair concluded.

‘I am a man of God, I am a leader, a warrior and a lover. I am also a hell of a football player and I’m grateful to be back doing what I love.’