Sports columnist Gregg Doyel has been suspended for an unpleasant interaction with Caitlin Clark

After a very unpleasant interaction with WNBA star Caitlin Clark, IndyStar sports columnist Gregg Doyel will no longer be covering Indiana Fever.

Last month, Doyel had what he now calls a “creepy” exchange during a press conference when he greeted the Indiana Fever guard by making a heart sign with his hands, something Clark is known to do after games.

In the now-viral video of the interview, Clark responds to Doyel’s gesture, “Do you like that?” Family after every game.” It’s pretty cool.” Then Doyel very awkwardly replies, “Start doing it to me and we’ll get along just fine.”

After the interaction, Doyel apologized extensively, both in a social media post and in a column for the IndyStar.

“I am devastated to realize that I am part of the problem. “I blew it on Wednesday in my first interaction with Indiana Fever No. 1 draft pick Caitlin Clark,” Doyel said. “What happened was, in some ways, the best thing I’ve ever experienced. I’m kind of known locally for, sigh, having awkward conversations with people before asking bold conversation questions… I now realize what I said and how I said it was wrong, wrong, wrong. I mean, it was just wrong. Caitlin Clark, I’m so sorry.”

IndyStar spokeswoman Lark-Marie Anton told Scripps News she could not comment on personnel matters or personnel actions, but confirmed that Doyel would not cover Clark or her team for the newspaper.

“Indianapolis Star sports columnist Gregg Doyel will not be covering Indiana Fever,” Anton wrote.