Darron Cummings/AP
Gregg Doyel – the IndyStar reporter who went viral for an uncomfortable exchange he had with Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark – has a history of similar incidents.
Doyel was thrust into the national spotlight following a back-and-forth with Clark during her introductory press conference with the team. He began the exchange by making a heart gesture with his hands – a signature gesture that Clark did during her time at the University of Iowa. When she explained how she makes the gesture toward her family at the end of every game, Doyel, “Ok, well start doing it to me and we’ll get along just fine.”
The comment was met with a great deal of backlash online, prompting an apology from Doyel. He then took it a step further when he wrote a column explaining how his “ignorance” made him “part of the problem” when it comes to coverage of women’s sports.
Neither the apology nor the column went over well, with some quick to point out it’s not his first time. That included ex-ESPN anchor Sage Steele.
“He’s been unprofessional for YEARS & not only does he get away with it, he gets rewarded,” Steele said in a tweet. “Unprofessional, Inappropriate, unfair, judgmental… just do your job & stop trying to be funny. This ‘man’ is another example of why no one trusts the media anymore. @indystar – do better.”
He’s been unprofessional for YEARS & not only does he get away with it, he gets rewarded. Unprofessional, Inappropriate, unfair, judgmental..just do your job & stop trying to be funny. This “man” is another example of why no one trusts the media anymore. @indystar – do better. https://t.co/dwiZ40Zpuu
— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) April 18, 2024
Another pointed out several old tweets of Doyel where he described a woman dancing during a Colts game and once called a college athlete’s charisma “sexy.”
Yeah, man. @GreggDoyelStar gotta go. pic.twitter.com/d8lbSP8Ruk
— Ethan Talks Pacers, Etc. (@KriegerSports) April 18, 2024
Other familiar with Doyel’s work agreed that the problem wasn’t a new one.
Indy has known Doyle as an insufferable weirdo for some time. Glad to see now he’s a nationwide laughingstock 👍🏻 https://t.co/4ZD1T2ATHL
— ℒ (@FletchMatlock) April 18, 2024
Gregg Doyel has been a self righteous prick for years. His downfall is well deserved.
— Jon (@JWag85) April 18, 2024
My favorite thing is that it’s not just Indy people who dislike Gregg Doyel anymore. It’s sweeping the nation lmao https://t.co/niuybA6oIL
— Ryne Mills (@rynemills7) April 17, 2024
Gregg Doyel made a fool of himself? What is this, 2015?
— Bruce Allen (@bruceallen) April 18, 2024
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