Probably not how she expected her first day in Indy to go…
Caitlin Clark was in Indianapolis yesterday for her introductory press conference after being drafted with the #1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever.
But things got awkward when IndyStar reporter Gregg Doyel opened his question by making a heart with his hands, a gesture that Clark did many times during her playing days at Iowa.
Caitlin handled it well, smiling and asking if he’s a fan of the heart sign.
Doyel creepily responded:
“I like that you’re here. I like that you’re here.”
Very awkward.
Clark tried to break up the nervous laughter in the room by responding with:
“Yeah. I do that at my family after every game. So, it’s pretty cool.”
Textbook answer, and great job of deflecting by Clark. It’s as if she’s already a veteran in the league, at least with how she handles the media. But ol’ Gregg Doyel doubled down and cranked the cringe up to MAX when he fired back:
“Start doing it to me and we’ll get along just fine.”
Yikes.
Clark was clearly uncomfortable at the exchange, and social media immediately began roasting Doyel for his cringey remarks, which prompted the columnist to take to social media to offer up an apology of sorts for the bizarre comments:
He then followed it up with an article (while many bashed him for trying to get clicks with an apology), saying that he realized that he was “part of the problem.” (Kinda feels like you were the whole problem yesterday).
“This is where I was, convinced I was harmless and right, when a woman I deeply respect told me, “But Caitlin Clark is a young woman, and you don’t talk to a young woman the same as you would a young man.”
And my heart dropped. Because now I saw it: After years of being so sure I was on the right side of these arguments, I was now on the wrong side, and for the oldest reason known to man and woman:
Ignorance.”
But social media wasn’t so quick to forgive, pointing out it’s not the first time Doyel has made some creepy comments:
And others were upset that he put his apology behind a link that his paper could monetize:
Just stop, man.
Stop.
Writing a column for hits after issuing an apology on Twitter doesn’t say much about your sincerity.
It says, “I know this column will probably get lots of hits since everyone is angry at my actions.”
Stop.
— Doctor Disney (@Doctor_Disney) April 18, 2024
Nothing says, “I’m sorry,” like making us click on your column so you can get clicks.
— Mid-Major Basketball (@midmajorball) April 18, 2024
Still others pointed out that the apology article seemed to miss the mark:
My god dude. It’s wasn’t the hand gesture, although that alone is cringe worthy. You essentially told a woman half your age “show me affection and we’ll get along just fine”.
Thats not “conversational and familiar”. That’s sexual harassment.
— Kristy (@TennesseeKristy) April 18, 2024
Nothing says “I’m sorry” like writing an article that makes the whole situation about you and your…*checks notes* stages of grief?…
— Emily E. Williams (@EEdub94) April 18, 2024
Gregg, all due respect, your apology continues to miss a big part of the point and “that’s just the way I am” is not an excuse for anyone above the age of 5 years old.
— Oliver VanDervoort (@itmeolliev) April 18, 2024
Not a great look. But props to Caitlin for handling it all like a pro (which, well, she is now).
