Caitlin Clark had grown used to the attention. As one of the biggest rising stars in the WNBA, the moments of recognition had become a part of her daily routine. However, this Saturday afternoon at a Chipotle in downtown Iowa City was different. She wasn’t there to make a grand entrance; she was just there for lunch, like anyone else. The warm, savory smell of grilled veggies and spices filled the air as she stepped in, the bustling energy of the crowded restaurant surrounding her. The line was long, but Caitlin didn’t mind; it felt nice to just blend in and be another face in the crowd, even if her face was somewhat familiar.
The cashier, a young woman in her twenties with a welcoming smile, noticed her almost immediately. She kept her excitement in check, but it was clear from her wide eyes that she recognized the basketball legend standing before her. She played it cool, though, professionally greeting Caitlin as if she were just another customer.
“Caitlin, what can I get started for you today?” the cashier asked, keeping her voice steady.
Caitlin smiled warmly, glancing at the menu for a moment. “I’ll go with a chicken burrito, extra guac, and a large iced tea,” she said, her voice calm and collected.
The girl behind the counter nodded and entered the order into the register, her hands just a little shaky. After all, it wasn’t every day she got to serve Caitlin Clark.
Caitlin moved to the side, waiting for her meal to be prepared. She wasn’t surrounded by an entourage, nor was she in any rush. It was an ordinary Saturday, and for a moment, she felt like an ordinary person, lost in the hum of the restaurant. She took out her phone, scrolling through messages as the bustle of the crowd went on around her.
A small line had formed behind her, and Caitlin hardly noticed when two young boys, one around 10 years old and the other 13, stood behind her. They appeared to be together, likely brothers, speaking in hushed tones as they debated over their meal.
“I’ll take this one,” the older boy said softly, holding the receipt tightly in his hands. “And we can share it. If we eat slowly, maybe we can make it last longer.”
The younger boy nodded earnestly, looking up at his brother with wide eyes. They had one meal between them, and it was clear they had a plan to make it stretch.
But then the younger boy whispered something that stopped Caitlin in her tracks. Her fingers stilled on her phone as she overheard the conversation.
“Do you think if we save enough, it’ll help with Mom’s treatment?” the younger boy asked.
Caitlin felt a pang in her chest. Her heart tightened as she realized the gravity of their words. The older boy’s voice was soft when he replied, but it carried a weight that no child should have to bear.
“I don’t think this meal will be enough by itself,” the older boy said, his eyes cast downward. “But if we only get one meal instead of two every day, and we save the rest, maybe we can help out. Maybe even a lot, if we’re careful.”
Caitlin’s eyes fluttered closed for a brief second as she processed their conversation. She didn’t turn around immediately. Her presence often attracted attention, but these boys, lost in their own world, seemed unaware of who she was. For once, that anonymity felt like a gift.
After a deep breath, Caitlin put her phone away and turned to face the boys. She saw the determination in their young eyes—quiet, serious determination that was born out of necessity. They weren’t asking for anything, yet Caitlin could see that they were trying to do what they could to help their mother, even if it meant sharing one meal.
“So you’re saving up?” Caitlin asked, her voice gentle, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
The younger boy looked up at her, his serious expression giving way to a slightly hesitant nod. “Our mom’s in the hospital,” he explained quietly. “Our dad says not to worry, but we know it’s really expensive. We want to help him, and her, if we can.”
The older boy added, “We don’t mind sharing. It’s just one meal. But if we save a little bit every day, it might help.”
Caitlin felt a lump form in her throat as she listened to their words. There was something powerful about their resilience, their desire to make a difference, even if it was just in their own small way. Without a word, Caitlin walked up to the cashier and added another meal to her ticket—exactly the same as the one the boys had ordered.
When the meal was ready, Caitlin handed the second tray to the boys. “This one’s on me,” she said, her voice soft. “You two deserve a full meal. Enjoy it.”
The boys looked at the second meal with disbelief before their faces lit up with joy. They didn’t have to share anymore. They could each have their own meal. Caitlin could see the relief in their eyes, the gratitude that shimmered in the simplest of gestures.
“Thank you!” the younger boy exclaimed, his excitement barely contained.
The older brother smiled, nodding in appreciation. “Thank you so much. You don’t know how much this means.”
Caitlin smiled, feeling a warmth settle in her chest. She could feel the genuine happiness radiating from the boys. She stepped back, watching them laugh and talk excitedly as they dug into their meal. For a moment, it seemed like they were just two kids enjoying their lunch, not having to worry about hospital bills or the weight of responsibility that should not have been on their young shoulders.
After a few moments of watching them, Caitlin felt compelled to do more. She didn’t want them to feel like they had to carry the world on their own. With a small, quiet voice, she leaned in and spoke softly, “How would you like it if I helped out with your mom’s treatment?”
The boys froze, their eyes wide with shock. The younger one whispered, “Really?”
Caitlin nodded. “Yes, really. I can cover her medical bills, so you don’t have to worry about saving up or sharing meals anymore.”
The older boy, usually composed, looked completely overwhelmed. He looked to his brother, unsure of what to say. “But we don’t know how to thank you,” he stammered, his voice full of emotion. “We can’t wait to tell Dad. He’ll be so happy.”
Caitlin handed him a sleek business card, a small smile on her face. “Give this to your dad and have him call me. We’ll make sure everything’s covered and that your mom gets the care she needs.”
The boys looked at the card as if it were made of gold, their hands trembling slightly as they clutched it.
“Thank you,” the older boy whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
Caitlin chuckled softly, feeling the emotional weight of the moment. “It’s my pleasure,” she said, her heart full. “Now, go enjoy that meal and don’t worry about anything. We’ve got this covered.”
As Caitlin turned to leave, she couldn’t help but look back one last time. The two boys were beaming, their faces bright with excitement as they exchanged happy glances. Caitlin smiled to herself. What had started as a simple meal had turned into something so much more—a moment of kindness, a promise for the future, and the hope that, sometimes, even small gestures can make all the difference.
And so, with her heart full, Caitlin walked out of the restaurant, knowing that she had made a real difference in their lives—one meal, one moment at a time.
Caitlin Clark’s Fast Food Breakfast Order With Indiana Fever is Going Viral
Although Caitlin Clark was a major superstar during her college years as an Iowa Hawkeye, she has entered a new stratosphere of stardom since getting drafted with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever.
One reason why is that ESPN’s “Full Court Press” documentary that released earlier this month tells fans a lot about Clark’s life, both on and off the court.
Seeing Clark go about her daily routine at Iowa endeared her to many.
And a recent interview with the documentary’s producer Hannah Bier revealed surprising information about Clark that “Full Court Press” didn’t.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark looks on from the bench during her team’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday. The Fever won, 78-73.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Bier said that throughout the “Full Court Press” filming, she got in the habit of buying Clark breakfast.
And Clark’s order remained the same each day.
Clark’s breakfast order would be a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich from a fast food restaurant like McDonald’s. In addition, she would request an iced macchiato with vanilla sweet cream cold foam from Starbucks.
It’s surprising to hear that a world class athlete like Clark would eat McDonald’s and a sugary Starbucks drink for breakfast each day.
But even with Clark making millions, she’d be foolish to turn down free food.
