An Indianapolis Star columnist apologized Wednesday after an awkward interaction with Caitlin Clark during a news conference.
Gregg Doyel was selected to ask a question at Clark’s introductory press conference with the Indiana Fever, who selected her No. 1 overall in Monday’s WNBA draft. Before Doyel asked his question, he made a heart sign with his hands, a gesture Clark was known for during her record-breaking college career at Iowa.
Clark asked Doyel if he liked the sign, to which Doyel replied, “I like having you here.” Clark said she shows the board to her family after every game. Doyel replied, “Okay, start doing that with me and we’ll get along just fine.” Clark did not respond to the comment.
Journalists and fans were quick to criticize Doyel on social media.
Veteran ESPN writer Don Van Natta Jr wrote on X that “this sounds like a hack Hollywood screenwriter’s idea of a sportswriter’s cool banter. Written in 1971.”
Dana O’Neil, a senior writer at The Athletic, was among those who wondered whether Doyel would have used the same phrase for an NBA player. “Sometimes life isn’t hard,” she wrote on ”
Today in my uniquely silly way, while being hospitable @CaitlinClark22 against Indy I cupped my hands in her signature 🫶. My comment afterwards was awkward and awkward. My sincere apologies. Please know that my heart (literally and figuratively) meant well. I will do better.
— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelStar) April 17, 2024
Doyel later apologized to X and subsequently in a column for the Star. He said he was known for his awkward interactions with male and female athletes, but that was no excuse. Doyel wrote, “I was convinced I was harmless and right when a woman I deeply respected said to me, ‘Caitlin Clark is a young woman, and you don’t talk to a young woman the same way you talk to a young man. And my heart sank. For now I saw it: after years of being so certain that I was on the right side of these arguments, I was now on the wrong side, and for the oldest reason known to men and women: ignorance.
Clark broke numerous scoring records during her college career at Iowa and this year helped the NCAA women’s final, where the Hawkeyes played South Carolina, draw more viewers than the men’s championship game.
The Athletics reported Wednesday that Clark is nearing an eight-figure endorsement deal with Nike, including a signature shoe.