CAITLIN CLARK GAVE HER LAST $10 TO A STRANGER—NOT KNOWING HE’S A MILLIONAIRE WHO’D CHANGE HER LIFE
It was a chilly March afternoon when Caitlyn Clark found herself at a nearly deserted train station, the air thick with the promise of rain. The gray clouds loomed overhead, and puddles formed in the cracks of the platform, reflecting the somber sky. Caitlyn pulled her coat tighter around her, her fingers numb from the cold. She was on her way to an important meeting, one that could potentially change the trajectory of her career. But as she stood there, anxiety gnawed at her, and her stomach rumbled, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten since breakfast.
As she glanced at the schedule board, her attention was drawn to a man standing a few feet away. He looked disheveled, his clothes soaked from the rain, and his eyes were a striking blue, filled with a mix of desperation and hope. “Excuse me,” he said, his voice soft and hesitant. Caitlyn turned, startled. “I’m sorry to bother you, but I had my wallet stolen. I just need $10 for a ticket home. I swear I’ll pay you back if you can trust me, please.”
Caitlyn hesitated, her heart racing. She had just enough money left for her own ticket and a small meal afterward. The thought of giving away her last $10 felt reckless, yet something in the man’s eyes compelled her to consider it. He looked genuinely distressed, and she could see the shivering in his frame. “Do you have anyone you can call?” she asked, her voice cautious.
He shook his head. “My phone’s dead. I tried asking others, but no one wanted to help.” Caitlyn felt a pang of empathy. She knew what it was like to feel invisible, to be in a situation where no one seemed to care. “And how do I know you’re not lying?” she pressed, still wary.
“You don’t,” he admitted, his voice cracking. “But I swear I just want to get home.”
In that moment, Caitlyn’s heart whispered to her, urging her to help. She reached into her pocket, fingers trembling as she pulled out the crumpled bill. “I don’t know why,” she said quietly, “but I believe you.” She extended her hand, and the man’s eyes widened in disbelief as he took the bill from her. “Thank you,” he said, his voice filled with gratitude. “I promise I’ll pay you back.”
As the train pulled in, Caitlyn watched him board, a mix of emotions swirling within her. She had just given away her last $10, but there was a strange sense of peace in her heart. She had chosen to help someone in need, and that act of kindness felt significant, even if it left her with nothing.
The next morning, Caitlyn stood outside the office building where her meeting was scheduled, her heart pounding with anxiety. She had arrived late, the bus requiring exact change, which she no longer had. When she finally made it inside, the receptionist informed her that the interviewer had already left for another meeting. Disheartened, Caitlyn walked out, shoulders slumped, feeling the weight of her circumstances.
Days turned into weeks, and Caitlyn found herself struggling to make ends meet. She had lost her job and was living in a cramped apartment, her dreams of a successful career in basketball feeling more distant than ever. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, she held onto the memory of the man at the train station—the moment she had chosen to help him, believing it mattered.
One rainy evening, as she sat on a park bench, a familiar figure approached her. It was the same man from the train station, but he looked different now—clean, well-dressed, and exuding confidence. “Hello,” he said, his voice warm and inviting. Caitlyn’s heart raced as she recognized him. “You,” she whispered, disbelief washing over her.
“I’m David,” he said, smiling. “I never got to thank you properly for your kindness that day. You gave me your last $10 when I had nothing.” Caitlyn felt a rush of emotions as she recalled that moment. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” she admitted.
David nodded, his expression serious. “I came back to find you. Your act of kindness stuck with me. I wanted to pay you back, but more than that, I wanted to offer you something.” He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a crisp $10 bill, handing it to her. “This is for you, but I also want to help you in a bigger way.”
Caitlyn stared at the bill, then back at him, confusion etched on her face. “What do you mean?” she asked.
“I run a foundation that supports young athletes and those in need. I want you to be a part of it. Your story, your resilience—it’s inspiring. We need people like you who understand the struggles and can help others.” David’s words resonated deeply within Caitlyn, igniting a flicker of hope she thought she had lost.
As they talked, Caitlyn learned about David’s work and the impact he was making in the community. He spoke passionately about helping others find their footing, just as she had helped him that day. “I want to offer you a position with the foundation,” he said. “You could help shape programs that empower young athletes and provide them with the resources they need to succeed.”
Caitlyn’s heart raced at the thought. “But I don’t have a degree or experience,” she protested.
David smiled reassuringly. “You have something far more valuable—your story and your heart. That’s what matters. We can teach you the rest.”
Overwhelmed, Caitlyn took a deep breath. “I don’t know what to say,” she murmured.
“Say yes,” he replied, his eyes filled with sincerity. “Let’s change lives, starting with yours.”
In that moment, Caitlyn realized that her act of kindness had come full circle. The $10 she had given away had led her to this opportunity, a chance to make a difference in the lives of others. With a newfound sense of purpose, she nodded. “Yes, I’d love to.”
As Caitlyn began her journey with the foundation, she found herself immersed in a world of possibility. She worked alongside David, helping to develop programs that provided mentorship, training, and support for young athletes. The foundation flourished, and Caitlyn’s passion for helping others ignited a fire within her that she had never felt before.
Months later, Caitlyn stood on a stage, accepting an award for her contributions to the community. As she looked out at the audience, she felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. She had gone from struggling to find her place in the world to becoming a beacon of hope for others. The journey had been challenging, but every step had led her to this moment.
After the ceremony, Caitlyn found David waiting for her backstage, a proud smile on his face. “You did it,” he said, pulling her into a warm embrace. “I knew you had it in you.”
As they walked out together, Caitlyn couldn’t help but reflect on how a simple act of kindness had changed her life. The $10 she had given away had not only helped a stranger but had also opened doors she never thought possible. She had found her purpose, her passion, and a partner in David who believed in her.
In the end, Caitlyn Clark’s story became a testament to the power of kindness and the ripple effect it can create. She had learned that even the smallest gestures could lead to profound changes, and she was determined to continue spreading that message, one act of kindness at a time.
Caitlin Clark Has Some Very Relatable Thoughts on Fame and Grocery Shopping
We caught a talk with the WNBA player at her first Masters tournament, where she got a taste of being almost normal again.
Caitlin Clark in conversation with ESPN’s Laura Rutledge at the Mercedes-Benz 1886 Club in Augusta, GA.Mercedes-Benz USA
It’s Sunday at The Masters, and Caitlin Clark is sitting in a green fold-up chair on the 18th green. We’re a few hours away from Rory McIlroy’s invigorating win, and three days into Clark’s first experience with the storied golf tournament.
It’s a nice break for Clark. As one of today’s most popular athletes, the Indiana Fever guard and WNBA Rookie of the Year saw her life change practically overnight when she burst on the scene as one of the best NCAA women’s basketball players ever. In the years since, she’s appeared on Saturday Night Live, in a box with Taylor Swift at the NFL playoffs, and was TIME’s Athlete of the Year. So, in other words, the Iowa native can’t really go anywhere without much fanfare these days.
That is, except for The Masters. Augusta National Golf Club, where the tournament takes place each April, has a strict no cell phone and cameras rule during the four days of official competition. Pull one out of your bag, and you’re immediately banned from the course for life. For someone like me, who’s used to documenting everything and loves taking pictures, it’s absolute torture. For Caitlin Clark, it’s a bit of a dream come true.
“No one has phones, everyone’s present,” she told ESPN host Laura Rutledge during a sit-down interview at the Mercedes-Benz 1886 Club over Masters weekend (Mercedes-Benz is a Champion Partner of the Masters Tournament). “That’s what makes this whole experience so unique and peaceful. You’re soaking it in, enjoying the moment.”
For someone who is used to cellphones in her face, it’s like getting a piece of normalcy back.
So, what’s it like then when patrons spot the superstar athlete roaming the grounds of Augusta National? “They just kind of do double takes, like they’re confused for a second,” she said. “They kind of don’t know what to do, but it’s fun because they just come up and want to shake your hand and have a normal personal interaction with you, which I think is really unique. You don’t always get that.”
In fact, Clark pointed to other famous singers, celebrities, and athletes (including Mercedes-Benz ambassador and tennis legend, Roger Federer) she saw over the weekend who were experiencing the same freedom, noting they could go about life “as a normal fan” of the sport. “I think that’s what makes it so unique and so fun for all of us. More than anything, it’s just really peaceful.”
Attending The Masters was a bucket list experience that Clark, an avid golfer, had been looking forward to for years. And she came this year as guest of Mercedes-Benz, a brand with a long history of empowering female athletes and drivers. Clark was able to bring her entire family as well. “You can think you’re preparing for it, but there’s really no way to prepare for it when you walk outside, and you’re out there walking around with everybody else,” the athlete said of the experience. “It’s pretty incredible.”
No matter the noise around her, Clark said she still feels like a normal person, which is how she tries to live her life on a daily basis. “I still go to the grocery store, I still buy my own groceries, I still do all of that,” she told Rutledge during their interview. “And I don’t think people always realize that.” Still, she’s come to terms with the fact that given her talent and aspirations, fame—and selfies—are always going to be part of the job.
“I always had big dreams and big aspirations,” she continued. “I always wanted to be a professional athlete. I don’t think I could have ever imagined it to be on the level that it is, and to see where women’s sports is going, is absolutely incredible. I don’t think a lot of people imagined and believed in it, to get to this point. But I feel like we really are just scratching the surface. The amount of people that have never watched women’s basketball before, and now really enjoy it is the coolest part. But I don’t think you ever get used to that, by any means.”
Firethorn Cabin on the Augusta National Golf Course, which serves as the Mercedes-Benz USA clubhouse during Masters week. (Pictured: 2024 AMG GT 63 S E Performance 4-Door Coupe)
Mercedes-Benz USA
During the chat, Clark mentioned that she most looks up to tennis icon, Serena Williams, who is her favorite athlete of all time. In fact, she was so inspired by the Wimbledon champion that she took tennis lessons as a kid. “I thought [her career] was incredible, but my tennis career was short-lived,” she told Rutledge. “I got kicked out of tennis class when I was 10, so that didn’t last long. I got mad at the instructor, because I thought it was too easy, and then he…that’s a different story. But I love Serena Williams.”
Tennis, golf, or something else, Clark just wants young girls to find a sport they love. “It just makes you learn different life skills,” she said. “The biggest lessons I’ve learned in life have been through sports, so the more young girls that we can get to start playing it, and continue to play it, is incredible. And then, the more opportunities we can have playing on ESPN, the more we’re on ESPN, the more people watch, the more people that buy a ticket, they continue to come back. The amount of people I’ve met that said, ‘I never went to a women’s college basketball game before,’ and now they’re a season ticket holder. So we appreciate everybody that has supported us. The sky’s really the limit, and it’s only going to continue to grow.”
