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’

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.’