Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Giovanni Bernard botched a fake punt during the team’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, and after the game he got in a back and forth with the media that has Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant dunking on the media.
Kevin Durant via Brooklyn Nets YouTube
Bernard botched the fake punt on a 4th and 1 from the Buc’s 26th that led to a turnover on downs and Bengals eventually defeating the Bucs 34-23.
He appeared to not realize it was supposed to be a fake punt as he completely missed the ball when it was directly snapped to him.
Guessing Gio missed fake punt call#GoBucs #Buccaneers #CINvsTB #NFL pic.twitter.com/V1JUXVMOag
— len martez (@LMart810) December 18, 2022
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Following the game, Bernard was already out of his uniform and appeared to be heading out of the locker room when members of the media tracked him down and a back and forth between Bernard and a number of the members of the media began.
ESPN’s Jenna Laine shared a clip of her interaction with Bernard by writing, “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.”
She added, “Note: As reporters, it is our job to seek clarity on what happened, especially on the most pivotal play of a game.”
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.
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
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) December 19, 2022
In the chopped up and edited clip, the interaction sees one reporter ask Bernard to talk to them. It’s unclear what Bernard says, Awful Announcing reports he said, “Oh, now you guys want to talk to me?”
What appears to be Laine then retorts, “Well, you were injured all year.” Another member of the media asks, “What have you done for us to talk to you about all year? I talked to you Tuesday.”
Bernard doesn’t get anything in while Laine again chimes in saying, “You were also injured most of the season.” He then eventually asks, “Can I go to my family that I have outside? All of a sudden now?”
Bernard then posts up to answer questions after what looks like a team representative stepped in.
Giovani Bernard via Tampa Bay Buccaneers YouTube
In response to Laine’s tweet, Durant wrote, “Giovani handled this like a true pro.”
Kevin Durant Twitter
Durant would then respond to a user asserting, “these reporters are so full of themselves” by writing, “Entitlement in this world has gone to another level. Media believes they are responsible for the popularity of the game.”
Kevin Durant Twitter
Another user would then question, “Without any media where are pro sports? Honest question.”
Durant replied, “We can survive without spoiled, entitled clickbait media…there are some good people who simply love to cover the sport.”
Kevin Durant Twitter
Finally, he took a shot at Barstool Sports’ Dan Katz, who tweeted, “Well said! Everyone knows it’s the fans who are responsible for pro sports.”
Durant responded, “Fans and playas. Don’t be disrespectful ya prick.”
Kevin Durant Twitter
What do you make of Durant’s analysis of Giovani Bernard’s interaction with the press and media?