‘This Is What It’s All About,’ ‘Beautiful’ — Caitlin Clark’s Special Moment With Kids From Iowa Children’s Hospital Wins Hearts

Rohit De Sun, October 4, 2026 at 4:37 PM UTC

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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) smiles Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, during a practice ahead of Game 3 of the first round of the WNBA Playoffs at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.

The WNBA season may be over for Caitlin Clark, but she clearly never got the memo about leaving the spotlight.

With the Indiana Fever eliminated by the Las Vegas Aces, the court has gone quiet for the superstar guard. Yet she keeps landing in the headlines, and this time it had nothing to do with basketball.

Caitlin Clark’s Latest Wholesome Moment Went Viral on Social Media

Clark, who appeared on ESPN’s College GameDay on Saturday, was spotted at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital during the Iowa Hawkeyes’ game against Ohio State.

At the end of the first quarter, Kinnick Stadium carried out the beloved “Hawkeye Wave.” Players, coaches, and fans from both teams turned to face the hospital and waved to the children watching from the windows.

Inside the hospital, the former Iowa star stood with those kids, waving back at the crowd below.

Clips of the moment spread quickly across social media, and the reaction from the WNBA world soon followed.

The Hawkeye Wave began in 2017, shortly after the hospital opened across from Kinnick Stadium. It was first carried out on September 2, 2017, during Iowa’s home opener against Wyoming.

A fan named Krista Young had suggested the idea in a Hawkeye Facebook group: the crowd, players, and coaches should all turn and wave to the young patients watching from above. Influencers have often highlighted just how special the gesture is, and Clark being inside the hospital to wave back made the latest edition even more meaningful.

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“Beautiful,” said one influencer, whereas another one said, “This is the best, most moving tradition in sports. Nothing comes close to match it.”

Clark has a history of wholesome moments with kids. In May 2025, while sidelined with a quad injury during a Fever game against the Washington Mystics, she was spotted caring for the young son of Fever assistant coaches Karima Christmas-Kelly and Austin Kelly. Clark was filmed carrying the toddler, Zayn, as she walked through the arena.

After the latest moment, one influencer noted that it was good to see Clark in her space, back in a place where she is comfortable.

“I’m so thankful she has a space where she can be who she truly is,” saidone influencer, whereas another one said, “She deserves every ounce of her fame and power.”

Clark draws a lot of hate on social media, and one user pointed out that even after moments like this, the criticism rarely stops.

“THIS is the girl y’all love to vilify meanwhile,” the user wrote.

For Clark, the WNBA season may be over after the Fever’s playoff elimination by the Aces. But back in Iowa, she once again reminded fans why her connection to the community remains so strong.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”