Emmanuel Acho is not buying the idea that race played any role in DiJonai Carrington’s ejection. The former NFL star has responded to Carrington’s “White Privilege” post following her Flagrant 2 foul on Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, arguing that the color of either player’s skin had absolutely nothing to do with the officials’ decision.
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“DiJonai Carrington posted ‘White Privilege’ from the locker room after being ejected for fouling Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham,” Acho wrote on X, reacting to a screenshot of Carrington’s post. “Judge for yourself, but color didn’t have nothing to do with the flagrant 2. IMO.”
The foul in question occurred with roughly two minutes remaining in the opening period of the Indiana Fever’s 90-86 victory over the Chicago Sky. Fever guard Sophie Cunningham was driving on a fast break for a breakaway layup, with Carrington chasing her down from behind. And in what appeared to be an attempt to swipe the ball from Cunningham’s hand, Carrington instead brought her left arm sweeping across Cunningham’s face. The resulting contact sent Cunningham crashing hard to the floor, though the basket went in.
Cunningham, reacting to the hard contact, immediately jumped back up and confronted Carrington, pushing the Sky forward before teammate Makayla Timpson, officials, and arena security restrained her. The resulting referees’ verdict on Carrington’s action was a Flagrant 1. However, upon video review, they upgraded it to a Flagrant 2, resulting in an automatic ejection.
DiJonai Carrington was effectively ejected. However, upon reaching the locker room, she immediately posted on threads: “WHITE PRIVILEGE @indianafever.”
Revisiting the footage of the foul, Acho’s position seems quite difficult to argue with. A Flagrant 2 under the WNBA rulebook is a personal contact that is unnecessary and excessive. Every element of Carrington’s action appeared to meet that standard precisely.
She initially attempted to swipe at the ball with her right hand, but her left arm made direct contact with Cunningham’s face and neck, even though the ball already left her hand. The foul was dangerous, the impact was significant, and it was against an airborne player, one of the most vulnerable positions in the game.
Reacting to the foul, however, Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White didn’t think that Carrington’s action was deliberate. She did very much agree with the Flagrant 2 call.
“It was a hard foul,” White said. “I don’t think that DiJonai intentionally came out to get her across the neck like she did, but it did happen, and I thought it was the right call.”
For Sophie Cunningham, however, she seemed to believe that the hit was “absolutely” intentional and motivated by some pent-up frustration.
“Clearly I think it was unnecessary,” Cunningham said. “I’ve never really spoken to her and I have no beef with her, but I guess she has some pent up stuff.”
With the automatic ejection now on her record, Carrington faces a $1,000 fine. Her social media conduct following the ejection will also undergo review to determine the appropriate additional sanction.