Ken Griffey Jr.’s interview with Linda Cohn on ESPN’s SportsCenter was awkward to the point of being difficult to watch. Now Griffey wants Cohn and her viewers to know he’s sorry for how the interview went.
Griffey gave a series of interviews on Wednesday in connection with Upper Deck’s month-long 25th anniversary celebration.
Everyone wanted to know Griffey’s thoughts on his 1989 rookie card.
He spoke with ESPN’s Mint Condition, USA today’s Ted Berg, and made an appearance on the Golf Channel.
But it was Griffey’s SportsCenter interview that earned the description of cringe-worthy, horrific, the most uncomfortable interview you will ever see.
Griffey was sullen and for the most part unsmiling during his interview with Cohn. The veteran SportsCenter anchor had to work hard to keep the interview moving forward in the face of Griffey’s somber, often one-word responses to her questions.
Cohn kept up her smile and gracious demeanor during the interview, but showed her true feelings on Twitter after the interview.
Is life really that bad for Ken Griffey Jr right now? Smell the roses Ken ! @Bobby_Valencia_
— Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) March 5, 2014
For a guy who wants to be known for his smile he has a strange way of showing it. #kengriffeyjr @J2theMo13
— Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) March 5, 2014
Griffey posted an apology on Instagram: “I want to apologize to Linda for the way things went today. I was in the middle of a cough attack and felt a little ill and didn’t want to walk off the set. Linda has always been professional to me and my family . I’m sorry, Junior @espn @sportcenter @lindacohn.”
Just got off phone w Ken Griffey Jr. He apologized sincerely for how he came across in @SportsCenter int. I accepted his apology.
— Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) March 5, 2014
Griffey is a 13-time All-Star who spent most of his 22-year Major League Baseball career with the Seattle Mariners and the Cincinnati Reds. His record includes 630 home runs, the sixth most in MLB history. Griffey retired abruptly in 2010. In 2013 he was inducted into the Mariners’ Hall of Fame and currently serves as “Special Consultant to the Franchise.”
Image via YouTube