On the Gregg Doyel-Caitlin Clark exchange...

I didn't want to address this, but, hell, I'm a columnist, a local columnist. And this is a big, national story. So here goes.

OK, so I guess I’m writing about this thing. You know, the Gregg Doyel-Caitlin Clark thing.

I didn’t necessarily want to write it because I don’t feel comfortable writing about colleagues in general and specifically those within my market. Lord knows, I’ve made my mistakes and I’m while I’m married to a strong woman, have two grown daughters and grew up in the home of a women’s lib activist, I’ve had my dumb, insensitive moments that I regret.

Maybe not that dumb, but I’m not above reproach, to be sure.

But this is a thing, a national story, and I need to say something about it because, hell, I’m a columnist. It’s my job.

I was sitting about four seats over and behind Gregg when he had that weird, cringey give-and-take with Clark, and while some people nervously laughed, I just shook my head. I thought it was odd. I thought it was inappropriate. I thought it was uncomfortable. Mostly, I thought, “What the hell did he just say?”

I’ll be honest: Lots of Gregg’s questions make me shake my head. Remember his question to Shane Steichen during his introductory press conference? Asked him about being a tough guy who was “crying like a baby” while offering his emotional opening statement? Gregg’s just different.  At times, he’s inappropriate. He’s unique in good ways and some bad. Sometimes he elicits unique responses, and I think that’s great. Columnists are supposed to be unique. But I also note that he can be self-aggrandizing and ego-driven, and it’s not a good look.

I don’t know Gregg that well on a personal level. We’ve never had dinner together, never had a cold one together – at least not that I can remember. When he arrived to replace me after I went to WTHR, I tried to reach out to him several times, but always found him resistant. Maybe it’s a competitive thing; maybe he just finds me off-putting. No telling.

So if you think I’m inclined to defend him – and I’m not, believe me – it’s not out of any personal affinity for the guy.