Stephen A. Smith still takes issue with the only suspension of his ESPN career. And he’s not shying away from saying so.
In a new Rolling Stone interview with journalist Danyel Smith, the First Take host addressed the fallout from his 2014 comments surrounding former NFL star Ray Rice. At the time, Rice had received a two-game suspension after assaulting his then-fiancée, an incident caught on camera that shocked the sports world.
While discussing the situation on-air, Smith used the word “provoke” in reference to women and domestic violence, which sparked massive backlash online. Smith was ultimately removed from ESPN for a week, though the network never officially called it a suspension.
“That’s a blemish on my career I do not believe I deserve,” Smith told Rolling Stone. “I’ve been consistent in that position. I’m a father of two daughters. I know what I’ve never condoned or excused.”
ESPN Reacted to Twitter, Not Context
According to Smith, ESPN initially backed him, but reversed course as social media outrage exploded.
“A former colleague at ESPN took it, ran with it, and it went ballistic on Twitter,” he said. “The leadership at ESPN reacted to that. When the heat elevated, they said, ‘We have to suspend you.’”
In the 2014 clip, Smith had said, in part:
“Let’s make sure we don’t do anything to provoke wrong actions… It doesn’t negate the fact that they already put their hands on you. So let’s try to make sure we can do our part in making sure that doesn’t happen.”
Although Smith apologized on-air the following Monday, ESPN pulled him for a week starting July 29. Former ESPN president John Skipper made the decision public in a statement, marking what Smith says remains a misunderstood moment in his career.
Stephen A. Smith: Legacy of Controversy
Smith acknowledges that his word choice was poor, but continues to argue that his intent was mischaracterized.
“We live in an immature society where people are not deducing right from wrong and contextualizing things properly,” he added.
While many agree the line between accountability and nuance is razor-thin in media today, Smith maintains he was trying to warn—not blame—women about the dangers of domestic violence situations.
Despite the suspension, Smith went on to become one of ESPN’s biggest stars. Still, this incident remains a rare and controversial stain on his otherwise dominant media career.
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