Not that it is is his job, but Kevin Durant was right to use his platform to defend Buccaneers running back Giovani Bernard.
It feels like everyone in the sports world has been talking about the Buccaneers media and Giovani Bernard over the past few days.
The moment in the locker room after the game wasn’t a great look for anyone, even if it does seem like the media was just looking for an answer.
Still, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about interviewing someone that doesn’t want to be there, and this video certainly doesn’t show the right way.
Bucs running back Giovani Bernard didn’t want to talk to the media about what happened on the botched fake punt. Here’s that interaction.
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) December 19, 2022
Note: As reporters, it is our job to seek clarity on what happened, especially on the most pivotal play of a game. pic.twitter.com/snQSvLE5mA
This video has made its rounds and has been discussed by thousands of people. The world is universally siding with Bernard after his perceived mistreatment based on the format of the questions by the reporters, and even players from other sports are stepping in to defend Bernard.
Giovani handled this like a true pro. https://t.co/LJsMzDhtrf
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) December 19, 2022
Kevin Durant has an interesting history with the media and never shies away from calling out a misstep. He took that chance here and was right to show that Bernard did in fact handle this like a true professional.
Bernard didn’t get mad. He gave a clear answer and even took full ownership for the mistake. There were a lot of other ways this could’ve gone, but Bernard being who he is kept this from getting worse than it could’ve.
When other players across sports and other personalities step in on social media to step up for the player, you know that a mistake has been made.
Hopefully there is a way for the media and the players to get past this and ensure that the locker room situation is a bit more amicable going forward, but it is still nice to see how great a guy Bernard is and how much support he is getting from the world outside of football.
Want to write about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their players? Apply below!
Want your voice heard? Join the The Pewter Plank team!