Social Media Debates If Reporters Went Too Far While Demanding Bucs RB Gio Bernard Speak To Them Following Botched Fake Punt During Testy Exchange (VIDEO + TWEETS)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Giovani Bernard had a tense post-game media scrum with reporters after the team’s heartbreaking loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, and social media has debated which side is at fault.

In the third quarter of Tampa’s Week 15 home game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Bucs tried running a fake punt deep in their own territory. Bernard was unable to corral the snap, and the Bengals recovered it to take over in great field position.

Tampa Bay never recovered from the debacle. The Bengals reeled off 34 unanswered points and only allowed another score in garbage time, erasing a 17-0 deficit to pick up their 10th win of the season. As for the Bucs, Sunday marked their third loss in four games.

After the game, reporters tried speaking to Bernard, but he initially wasn’t all that keen on speaking to them. Jenna Laine, who covers the Buccaneers for ESPN, posted a video of the reporters’ interaction with the veteran running back on Twitter:

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

On Monday, Laine explained in a series of tweets that players who are on the injured reserve don’t speak to the media; Bernard was on the IR dealing with an ankle injury.

• TRENDING NEWS

---

Everyone Said The Same Thing After Cameras Caught The Perfect Bra Shot Of The Jaw-Dropping Ring Girl Sydney Thomas From The Mike Tyson-Jake Paul Fight

The Entire Internet Is Saying The Same Thing After Someone Leaked A Photo Of The Private Text Message Carson Beck’s Mom Sent Her Son Before Game vs. Tennessee

VIDEOS: Jaw-Dropping Female Vikings Fan Stole Everyone’s Attention In The Stands By Showing Off Her Backside In Her Eye-Popping Outfit

---

Further…I posted the clip in its entirely because 1) I believe in transparency and 2) It provides an honest look at what a locker room is like when a team with Super Bowl expectations falls to 6-8. If the reality of that is too much for people…I don’t know what to tell you.

— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) December 19, 2022

There was a debate on social media as to which side handled the matter best. Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant was among those who defended Bernard.

Giovani handled this like a true pro. https://t.co/LJsMzDhtrf

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) December 19, 2022

I’m not saying all of media is like this, but some sports journalists treat players like subjects in a lab and that they only exist to speak to the media.

It’s so dehumanizing and gross. The Giovani Bernard video shows a sense of journalist entitlement and lack of empathy.

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) December 19, 2022

All that I can say is Giovani Bernard handled this weird situation in the most professional manner there is. https://t.co/4hKdGOt1NM

— Olafimihan Oshin (@olafimihanoshin) December 19, 2022

Giovani Bernard being asked “What have you done for us to talk to you about all year?” by reporters is some incredibly arrogant, entitled, bratty type of stuff to get him to try and talk, look at his face when the reporter had the gall and audacity to say that! https://t.co/QNjFLD1jTd

— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) December 19, 2022

On the other side, some folks defended Laine and the reporters.

You already know this, but you did nothing wrong. Anyone doing their job well would've asked him what happened on the play. Keep crushing it ???

— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) December 19, 2022

Journalism (esp. sports journalism) is the one job every fan thinks they can do, but can't. Forget interviewing, reporting & writing skills (on deadline) they lack. Many/most fans simply don't know what journalism is. They believe it's PR. Keep doing what you do, Jenna.

— Kevin Manahan (@KevinCManahan) December 19, 2022

Keep doing your job!

— Brian Woebbecke (@ChiefsFnBrian) December 19, 2022

The Buccaneers committed four turnovers after the fake punt botch. Tom Brady was picked off once in the third quarter, and he also fumbled twice. The Bucs’ hopes of a comeback ended in the fourth quarter when Brady threw another interception.

One could also fault the defense for giving up 34 unanswered points, but it’s tough for any defense to stop a Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase-led unit all game long. And any team with a competent offense is going to make you pay if you set them up with a short field time and time again.

The loss dropped the Buccaneers to 6-8 on the year. They’ll try to rebound when they visit the Arizona Cardinals on Christmas Day.