Patrick Mahomes’ Ex-Teammate Defends Alyssa Thomas After Caitlin Clark Throat Punch Sparks Outrage

From ex-Chiefs offensive lineman Mitchell Schwartz's perspective, Alyssa Thomas hitting Caitlin Clark with her fist was a heat of the moment situation, and it's not uncommon in sports.

Patrick Mahomes’ Ex-Teammate Defends Alyssa Thomas After Caitlin Clark Throat Punch Sparks Outrage

Mercury's Alyssa Thomas pins Fever's Caitlin Clark (Image via Yardbarker/X)

Mitchell Schwartz protected Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during his first Super Bowl triumph in 2019-20. After retirement, Schwartz has become a vocal presence on Twitter. He shared his views on the latest hot topic in the basketball world involving Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas and Fever’s Caitlin Clark.

During Mercury and Fever’s recent face-off, cameras caught Thomas pinning Clark down (appearing to punch) on the floor following a tackle. The referee didn’t see anything wrong with the challenge and allowed the play to continue.

However, Fever fans and, to an extent, WNBA fans weren’t too pleased by the referee’s ruling. Schwartz, on the other hand, defended Thomas.

This isn’t a “punch” it’s pushing into Clark’s body (throat in this case) to get yourself off the ground. Pretty common in football or other sports where you’re getting off the ground around opponents.

Mitchell Schwartz tweeted

A few commented that Thomas has a history of playing dirty on the court. Schwartz quickly clarified that he’s not implying that what Thomas did to Clark was the correct conduct.

Lot of you assuming that I’m giving my thoughts on it being ok or not. I did no such thing. I explained the act. A punch is winding up and hitting someone. This is not that. I made no judgements about the action, for or against, in my commentary.

Schwartz tweeted

There’s a fine line between an intentional punch and thrusting the fist on a fellow athlete’s throat in the heat of a game. It’s impossible to guess what exactly happened unless Thomas comes clean.

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WNBA punishes Alyssa Thomas for her altercation with Caitlin Clark

Although the referee let the ball roll on Wednesday, the WNBA committee has taken a major step against Thomas. The league gave Thomas a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty for it.

Patrick Mahomes' Ex-Teammate Defends Alyssa Thomas After Caitlin Clark Throat Punch Sparks Outrage
Alyssa Thomas (Image via Yardbarker)

The league also placed a one-game ban on the 34-year-old. She will miss Mercury’s game against Toronto Tempo on Saturday.

It was egregious. The fact that it was a no-call … You got to call it. You’re coming in here aware of what happened two nights ago, and that still happens? Absolutely unacceptable.

Fever coach Stephanie White said about Thomas’ foul on Clark

Mercury won the game 111-109 against the Fever. Thomas played a little over half an hour and contributed 24 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds.

Mitchell Schwartz gives his verdict on Patrick Mahomes new protector, Josh Simmons

The Chiefs went 6-11 in 2025 and lost Mahomes to a season-ending ACL injury. Rookie Josh Simmons played in eight games.

The Chiefs drafted Simmons 32nd overall, even though he carried a significant knee injury. So, it concerned a lot of people when he failed to report for duty for several weeks. According to multiple reports, Simmons had to stay away due to a family emergency.

When he returned to the facility for the first phase of offseason training, the media and fans were shocked to see his transformation. He gained significant muscle and looks intimidating. Schwartz claimed Simmons’ new avatar reminded him of Dallas Cowboys legend Tyron Smith.

I think the better way to view this is more in the Tyron Smith physique world. Tyron is a bit bigger overall but he was crazy lean coming out and when he was younger. Wouldn’t worry too much about a guy being jacked, lean, and not carrying excess weight.

Schwartz tweeted

Simmons’ snap count is expected to increase in 2026. Moreover, he will probably be guarding Mahomes as he looks very close to full recovery.

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