It was business as usual for Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel on Friday as he returned to work – despite a continuing barrage of abuse over his awkward moment with basketball star Caitlin Clark.

Doyel went viral after making a series of creepy comments to Indiana Fever’s No. 1 pick at her introductory press conference, first requesting that she make her traditional heart-shaped gesture to him before games.

He then referred to Clark as ‘it’ and ‘that’ during questions aimed at coach Christie Sides, and was labeled a ‘sexist pervert’ by Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy in the aftermath.

On Friday, the pile-on continued as Doyel tried to continue working as normal – revealing on social media that he had met with an NFL general manager.

Taking to X, he said: ‘Colts GM Chris Ballard just met with us, to discuss the upcoming NFL draft. He said some things. #columncoming’

Gregg Doyel, pictured previously, was back at work on Friday meeting with Colts NFL staff

He went viral for his ‘gross’ remarks to Caitlin Clark at her introductory press conference

Doyel was back on social media on Friday lunchtime to update his followers on his work

He was quickly mocked for his comments by social media users in the replies to his tweet

Caitlin Clark is caught in ‘gross’ exchange with ‘sexist pervert’

Caitlin Clark blocks Antonio Brown after vile misogynistic trolling

Instantly, Doyel’s mentions were flooded with comments from social media trolls, with one asking: ‘Why are you still employed?’

Another added: ‘Sit this one out lil bro,’ while one commented: ‘Did you ask him to show you the heart?’

In a further reply to his tweet, one basketball fan asked him: ‘Did you refer to him as “that” and “it”.

It has been a rough few days for the long-time sports reporter after his moment of madness at Clark’s press conference.

He began by imitating the celebratory hand gesture Clark gives to her family after every game in which she makes the shape of a heart with her hands.

‘I do that at my family after every game,’ said Clark.

The gesture Clark does at the end of games is seen here, with the former Iowa star smiling

Clark (left) and Fever coach Christie Sides were left dumfounded by the Indy Star’s Doyel

Doyel has apologized on social media and in a column since Wednesday’s incident

Doyel says he met with Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard (above) on Friday

Doyel then made the most regrettable comment of the press conference: ‘OK, well listen, start doing it to me and we’ll get along just fine.’

Furthermore, he then referred to the WNBA sensation as ‘that’ and ‘it’ during a question aimed at coach Sides.

‘You were just given the keys to that,’ he said to Sides, referring to Clark as if she were a sportscar. ‘What are you going to do with it?’

Sides responded by humanizing Clark: ‘Hopefully we’re gonna win a lot of games to start. She’s gonna help us out with that.’

Spokespeople for the Indy Star and its parent company, Gannett, did not respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.

Doyel has since offered his apology online.

Dave Portnoy labelled Doyel a ‘sexist pervert’ on social media after Clark’s press conference

Doyel (right) is pictured alongside one of his two sons following his graduation

‘Today in my uniquely oafish way, while welcoming @CaitlinClark22 to Indy, I formed my hands into her signature,’ the reporter wrote on X.

‘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 most high-profile criticism of the awkward interaction came from Barstool’s Portnoy, who branded Doyel a ‘sexist pervert’ and is demanding his employer take action.

‘Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever Career Begins With Gregg Doyel Being A sexiest pervert at Introductory Press Conference,’ Portnoy wrote. ‘@IndyStarSports do something about this pervert.

‘To clarify I meant to call Gregg Doyle a sexist pervert. Which he is based on his nauseating actions today,’ Portnoy added later.

Portnoy was not alone in his fury over Doyel’s remarks, with several other prominent voices in the industry publicly taking issue with the reporter’s comments.

Clark signs autographs for fans during the 2024 WNBA Draft on April 15, before being selected

The young basketball star took the moment in her stride and did not appear to be fazed by it

Katie Mox of CBS Sports, said: ‘What happened to Caitlin Clark today at her first press conference in Indy was really gross.’

CBC Sports senior contributor Shireen Ahmed even suggested Doyel should be stripped of his credentials.

‘Almost every one of my women colleagues & students in sport media and sports journalism are sharing that clip of Gregg Doyel and Caitlin Clark with disgust,’ Ahmed wrote on X.

‘We are rightly furious and fed up. His creds should be revoked and offered to an unentitled journalist who respects women.’

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Caitlin Clark needed a nap.

It was Monday afternoon, and the culmination of a whirlwind eight-day stretch that began with the end of her brilliant collegiate career.

The previous Sunday, in Cleveland, the Clark-led Iowa Hawkeyes had been defeated by the South Carolina Gamecocks in a national title game that generated a record audience.

Clark and her teammates flew back to Iowa City the following day, but she wasn’t home for long. Next stop Los Angeles, where she accepted the John R. Wooden Award on Friday night.

The next morning, Clark was bound for New York, where she hustled over to 30 Rock immediately after touching down.

Later that evening, Clark would make a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live, dropping in during the show’s Weekend Update segment.

“I did pretty good,” she said assuredly of her cameo.

Clark was sitting in a cramped hotel room 39 floors above Manhattan, six hours before the Indiana Fever officially made her the top pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.

Adrenaline was doing its thing, but Clark admitted that she was fading. In fact, the week’s jam-packed schedule had already forced her to make a sacrifice.

An avid golfer, Clark had planned on making a pilgrimage to Augusta for the Masters, but that was asking too much—even for a 22-year-old phenom.

“Augusta to LA to New York City to Indianapolis wasn’t the greatest,” Clark said of her would-be itinerary. “I’m very thankful that I’m here because I’m so tired. I haven’t slept much.”

Clark was wearing gray sweatpants adorned with the Hawkeye logo and a light purple Nike T-shirt, a comfy prelude before slipping into high fashion for Monday night’s festivities.

At the draft, which was held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Clark arrived in head-to-toe Prada: a white double satin skirt and shirt; an embroidered rhinestone mesh top; a black leather Galleria handbag with matching black slingback pumps. She topped off the look with a pair of acetate sunglasses.

But at the hotel hours earlier, Clark was sporting a pair of gold undereye patches as stylists primped her hair and did her makeup. “Don’t make me look crazy,” she instructed the makeup artist.

Clark likened the moment to a high schooler getting ready for prom, before revealing that she wasn’t drawing from personal experience. “I never went to prom,” she said. “Junior year I had AAU basketball, and then senior year it was COVID.”

Organized chaos unfolded all around her, with a steady stream of people breezing in and out—a woman delivering Glossier gift bags one minute, a repairman arriving to fix the broken air conditioner the next.

A film crew was on hand, capturing it all for a docuseries that will premiere next month on ABC and ESPN+. Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, and two of her Iowa teammates, Jada Gyamfi and Gabbie Marshall, lounged on the bed.

Kate Martin, another member of the Hawkeyes, joined the crew eventually. Martin wasn’t among the prospects invited to Monday’s draft, but she still hoped to hear her name called.

Clark was certain that it would be, and demanded that Martin go onstage when it happened.

Despite an injury-stricken season, the UConn Huskies had an inspired run in the 2024 NCAA tournament. With the help of some impactful players like Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Muhl, star guard Paige Bueckers led an incredible March Madness campaign for UConn.

Now, as both these players have turned pro, Bueckers might find it challenging to maintain the standards next season. Nonetheless, one of the brightest prospects in their program, Azzi Fudd, is showing signs of a comeback and fans couldn’t be happier.

The No.35 has been out of action since November last year due to a torn right ACL. Both Bueckers and Fudd attended the recent 2024 WNBA draft at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

They were there to extend their love and support to Edwards and Muhl for the evening. While there were many memorable moments from the night, Bueckers and Fudd’s TikTok got fans talking.

A TikTok video featuring both is going viral speculating a return for the 2021 Morgan Wootten Player of the Year. In the video, the two guards are seen grooving to DJ DJ Smallz 732’s track Boogie Down (Make Her Dance).

Bueckers is seen donning an all-white Louis Vuitton dress, accessorizing it with a $3,466 LV sling bag. Meanwhile, the 21-year-old Fudd was in salmon pink wide-legged trousers along with a white cropped top and a jacket. The video clearly shows that the 5 ft 11 in guard is in perfect shape and is ready to take the court as soon as she can.

Following this, reactions have been pouring in, reflecting the excitement of fans regarding her comeback.

Fans cheer “Go girls!!” for the UConn duo

Soon after the video started to gain traction, fans wasted no time in expressing their elation at seeing both of them together. Some fans were excited to see Bueckers and Fudd share the floor for the first time since Fudd tore her ACL in November last year.

“AZZI CAME OUT OF RETIREMENT TODAY IS A GOOD DAY,” and “The comeback is on!!”

Another fan humorously prayed for both of them to stay fit for one season together, writing, “Now if you two could just stay healthy together for one season !!” Fudd joined her good friend at the Huskies in 2021.

That season, Bueckers faced multiple injuries and played just 17 games. The next season, Bueckers ruptured her ACL and missed the entire year. And then in 2023-24, it was Fudd who had a season-ending injury.

Further, one of their Instagram followers termed Fudd “The original dancing queen with Paige” and also issued a warning regarding the trio of Bueckers, Fudd, and freshman KK Arnold. The comment read, “Azzi …. The original dancing queen with Paige !! Watch out next year for the trio with KK.”

Another warning was made to the teams on how this combination can be a trouble for everyone next year.“This is going to be double trouble next year!!!”

In her sophomore year, Fudd averaged 15.1 points and 1.9 assists per game. On the other hand, Bueckers made a stunning comeback from injury this season, averaging 21.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

With both of them set for bigger roles after the departure of Edwards and Muhl, fans are expecting something big.

Indeed, it will be a delight for the fans to see both of them play together on the court. With all the seniors embarking on their new journeys, Paige Bueckers needs much-needed support in her final season at UConn.

Undeniably, Fudd is the most qualified player on the roster who can match the 6 ft guard’s standards. But can she reach the level she was at before the injury? Only time will tell.