Stephen A. Smith apologizes after comments about women - 'Everyone knows I'm a bottom feeder'
As one of the more public faces at ESPN, Stephen A. Smith has had to issue his fair share of apologies.
Smith infamously apologized on-air after making an off-hand comment about domestic violence in light of the NFL’s Ray Rice debacle back in the summer of 2014.
The “First Take” host had originally suggested that women should re-evaluate the role they play in instigating domestic violence. To the surprise of absolutely nobody, those comments went over like a lead balloon across the media.
Smith didn’t even have the luxury of the typical inter-ESPN camaraderie that sometimes springs up in the midst of controversy. Even his own co-workers lambasted him.
So I was just forced to watch this morning's First Take. A) I'll never feel clean again B) I'm now aware that I can provoke my own beating.
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014
Fast forward four years, and Smith again finds himself in the peculiarly familiar situation of apologizing for comments he made about women.
Smith went on an episode of Snoop Dogg’s YouTube-based talk show GGN and was asked about his preference between the chest and behind of a woman.
(Warning: The video has language that some viewers might find offensive.)
Give Snoop a Pulitzer for this investigative journalism on Stephen A. Smith pic.twitter.com/z3caaxsJV8
— Mickstape (@MickstapeShow) June 13, 2018
“Always, always ass. That’s true,” Smith said.
He then seemed to acknowledge that he might get in some sort of trouble because of his association with the Walt Disney Co., which owns ESPN.
“I know I’m associated with Walt Disney, but everyone knows I’m a bottom feeder,” he said.
It’s not a good look for Disney to have one of its premiere personalities making those comments in the #MeToo era.
Smith, for his part, seemed nonplussed about having to apologize for his remarks.
“I guess it’s appropriate to apologize,” Smith said on his local radio show, according to the New York Post.
“The reason why I [apologize] is because the attention it’s brought to my employers obviously for the wrong reasons,” Smith said, again alluding to Disney and ESPN.
Even Smith seemed aware that he sounded unenthused with the apology.
“And I have to own [the mistake]. I don’t want to come across as sounding nonchalant or anything, I’m just being honest,” he said.
Smith then doubled down on not particularly wanting to apologize.
“I’ve always answered the question the same way. And I’ve answered the question the same way since I’ve been in this business, over 25 years,” he said. “Anytime I’ve been asked that specific question, I’ve literally given the same answer.”
Disney reportedly had directed Smith to apologize but hasn’t made any further comments.
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