During an interview Mark Spector threw jabs at Conner McDavid, center and captain for the Edmonton Oilers, regarding the opening regular season loss against the Vancouver Canucks. Mark Spector asked how the loss felt but Conner McDavid shut him down quickly stating that it was in the past and a long time ago so he would not be responding to his question.
While fans have stated that he was smart to shut Mark Spector down, fans think Spector will now come for McDavid via social media because of the lack of a response. Fans stated that Spector has tormented players in the past and that players do not respect him for that reason when he interviews them. Another group of fans stated that Spector was simply asking a question and that he was not in any way mocking or tormenting him on purpose and that it was simply his style. Another set of fans stated that the only appropriate response for anyone asking these types of questions is "next question" or "no comment."
I think as a sports player with questions it is easiest to state facts and redirect the question to something you would like to talk about in the current moment instead. A nonresponse makes the player seem arrogant or like he has something to hide or that he is admitting to whatever is being asked or like he is irritated at whoever is asking these questions. I agree with fans when they say that responding with next question is best. Especially if the player truly does not wish to answer it as well as smiling when responding because McDavid's facial expressions didn't do him any favors. It is hard to be negative toward anyone who is smiling.