Indiana columnist apologizes for 'creepy' interaction with Caitlin Clark

INDIANAPOLIS (TND) — Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel issued an apology Wednesday after his “creepy” interaction with new Indiana Fever player Caitlin Clark went viral on social media.

Clark became one of the biggest figures in women’s sports following her star-studded basketball career for the University of Iowa. She was recently drafted first overall in the WNBA draft by the Indian Fever.

During a press conference this week, Doyel engaged in an awkward exchange with Clark after flashing her signature hand sign resembling a heart.

“You like that?” Clark asked when seeing the sign.

I like that you’re here,” Doyel replied.

“I do that at my family after every game,” Clark said.

“Start doing it to me and we’ll get along just fine,” Doyel said, invoking laughter from the room.

Doyel followed the exchanged with a question for coach Christie Sides, asking “you’ve just been given the keys to that, what are you going to do with it?”

The interaction went viral on X with 36 million views. Doyel later issued an apology via his X profile.

Today in my uniquely oafish way, while welcoming @CaitlinClark22 to Indy, I formed my hands into her signature [heart hand emoji],” he wrote. “My comment afterward was clumsy and awkward. I sincerely apologize. Please know my heart (literally and figuratively) was well-intentioned. I will do better.”

The post earned a reaction from Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy, who said “okay pervert.”

“Hey remember when Gregg Doyel did the heart thing to Caitlin Clark and was super creepy about it?” Barstool Big Cat asked. “That was really f------ weird.”

Doyel later addressed the situation in a column, adding “I’m so sorry.”

I’m devastated to realize I’m part of the problem,” he wrote. “What kind of idiot acts creepy on national television! (Me.)”

In his Indianapolis Star bio, the columnist writes “give me a sports subject who needs a good columnist kick in the rear end and I'm there, but I can't end a granddaddy longlegs' one shot at life by showing it the bottom of my shoe.”

Follow Jackson Walker on X at @_jlwalker_ for the latest trending national news. Have a news tip? Send it to jacwalker@sbgtv.com.

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