ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has always spoke his mind and in between his busy schedule which also includes his own podcast, radio show and frequent appearances on CNN, Smith found the time to stop by the “Pivot Podcast” joining his ESPN colleague and “Pivot” co-host Ryan Clark. There he touched on a bevy of topics including his dad and how his absence affected he and his siblings.
Smith Says Dad Was A Cheater
Smith told Clark and his co-hosts this as it pertains to his absent dad.
“He had another family. Another house, other kids… another house he was taking care of.”
Smith also mentioned how he used his dad’s absence as fuel to be a better father, his sisters took it totally different.
Smith told Clark this…
“His sisters focused their anger on their father’s infidelities while he focused his on the lack of provision. He had his most profound conversation with his father courtesy of his Uncle Freddie. Stephen A. expressed his disdain to his father for leaving his mother to do a man’s job. He watched her toil, work, & scratch to provide all the while his father chose not to. That was something he couldn’t.”
Absentee Father Isn’t The Only Reason Smith Is Present Father
Not having his dad active and around has helped mold Smith into the man and father of two daughters you often see on ESPN and his podcast. But, Smith is quick to let anyone know that his late mom is his biggest reason for being a great father and it’s starts with a promise to the woman who birthed and raised him in Hollis, New York.
That promise is that he would be a better father than his own, one that fuels his commitment to his daughters. He also says that the motivation for fatherhood has helped him offset his the emptiness and loneliness he feels since the loss of his mom.
Fans Chime In
Smith’s comments received different reactions via social media with some having empathy for how he grew up, and others not caring about it or him.
“Stephen A’s book is excellent. He gets into the situation of how he grew up and then how he made it in the biz. Worth the read,” one fan said.
“He’s spot on here. A man builds a family, the man should take care of said family. He who doesn’t should be shamed,” another fan said.
Other fans responded differently.
“It all makes sense why SAS a loser. His daddy a loser. He was destined to be a loser,” another fan said.
“That explains a lot. Still don’t want to hear from him, still think he’s a jerk, but it explains a lot,” another fan spewed.
Stephen A. Smith Joins Carmelo Anthony’s “7PM In Brooklyn” Podcast To Retract Past Statements About Kyrie Irving Refusing To Vaccinate
Stephen A. Smith is still ramping up his personal beef with LeBron James by continuing to go at The King and grieve their differences over various forms of media.
ESPN’s highest-paid talking head has has had a public beef with Kyrie Irving for years, that ramped up during COVID when Irving refused to get the jab. In a rare turn of humility, however, the First Take host walked back some of his harsh and demeaning words about the Dallas Mavericks star.
During the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, Smith admitted he might have gone too far when criticizing Irving during his tumultuous Brooklyn Nets stint, particularly around the guard’s decision not to take the COVID-19 vaccine, NJ reports.
“Kyrie’s a good brother. We used to butt heads because he used to miss work too damn much,” Smith said. “And I’m like, yo man, this brother’s electrifying, I want to see this brother dancing on the basketball court. I don’t want to hear no sh*t about no COVID vaccines. Get your a** on the court. We see you. Now, obviously in hindsight, the brother’s right because we see all the conspiracy theories that came out. And props to him for having the foresight to see that. We didn’t see that at the time.”
Fans See Stephen A. Smith’s Kyrie Vaccine Switch Up As More Media Games, Poltical Posturing
The fans are perceiving Smith’s sudden epiphany concerning his attack on Kyrie Irving who turned down a four-year extension during the 2021-22 season because of his refusal to vaccinate, as a flip flop. More posturing and manuevering as he tries to establish a political base. He also missed valuable games for a Nets team that seemed set up to cruise to the NBA title with Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving leading the way. Smith was among many who crucified Irving for his choice not to be vaccinated.
“Man changes his opinion with new information… unbelievable,” one fan said.
“Happy he said he was right but you was dead a bozo not defending him and protecting his rights,” another fan told Smith.
Fans aren’t forgetting that Stephen A. Smith suggested Kyrie retire and threw him under the bus daily.
“Stephen A. Smith shamed Kyrie Irving on vaccine mandates when it really mattered. It takes zero courage to be against them now,” one netizen posted.
In the end Smith is one of the most polarizing figures in sports and entertainment, and no matter what anyone thinks of him he definitely moves the meter.
