Stephen A. Smith, the outspoken host of ESPN’s “First Take”, suffered an ankle injury while practicing for the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. He was taken to the hospital for X-rays, but he is expected to recover soon and coach his team in the game. This article will give you an overview of Smith’s career, controversies, and personal life, as well as the details of his recent injury and recovery update.
Stephen A. Smith’s Career at ESPN
Stephen A. Smith is one of the most popular and controversial sports personalities in the United States. He started his career as a journalist, working for various newspapers and radio stations. He joined ESPN in 2003 as a columnist and analyst, and soon became a regular on shows like “SportsCenter”, “NBA Shootaround”, and “Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith”.
- Suspension over domestic violence comments: In 2014, Smith was suspended for one week by ESPN after he made insensitive remarks about domestic violence on “First Take”. He suggested that women should avoid provoking men who abuse them, which sparked a lot of backlash from the public and his colleagues. He later apologized for his comments and said he was wrong.
- Dismissal from ESPN: In 2005, Smith was dismissed from ESPN after he violated the network’s policy on political endorsements. He had appeared in a campaign ad for Dan Onorato, a Democratic candidate for governor of Pennsylvania. He also had a dispute with his bosses over his role and salary at ESPN. He left the network in 2008 and worked for other media outlets, such as Fox Sports Radio and The Philadelphia Inquirer.
- Return to ESPN: In 2011, Smith returned to ESPN as a radio host and columnist. He also rejoined “First Take” as a co-host, alongside Skip Bayless. The show features Smith and Bayless debating various sports topics, often with heated arguments and loud opinions. Smith is known for his passionate and provocative style, as well as his catchphrases and impressions of celebrities and athletes.
- Success on “First Take”: Smith has become one of the most influential and highest-paid sports commentators in the industry, thanks to his success on “First Take”. He reportedly earns $12 million per year from ESPN, making him the highest-paid talent at the network. He also has a huge fan base on social media, with over 5 million followers on Twitter and over 4 million followers on Instagram. He has interviewed many famous figures, such as Barack Obama, LeBron James, and Floyd Mayweather.
Controversies and Personal Life
Smith has been involved in many controversies and criticisms throughout his career, both on and off the air. He has also faced some personal challenges and tragedies in his life. Here are some of the notable ones:
- Smith’s defense of Megyn Kelly: In 2018, Smith defended Megyn Kelly, the former NBC host who was fired for defending blackface on her show. Smith said that Kelly was a victim of “selective outrage” and that she deserved a second chance. He also criticized NBC for hiring her in the first place, knowing her controversial history at Fox News.
- Opposition to recreational marijuana: Smith has been vocal about his opposition to the legalization of recreational marijuana, especially in sports. He has repeatedly said that he thinks marijuana is a “bad habit” and a “gateway drug” that can ruin the careers and lives of athletes. He has also clashed with some of his colleagues, such as Max Kellerman and Jay Williams, who have advocated for the use of marijuana for medical and personal purposes.
- Smith’s catchphrases: Smith is famous for his catchphrases, such as “Stay off the weed!”, “Blasphemous!”, and “How do you do?”. He often uses them to emphasize his points or mock his opponents. Some of his catchphrases have become memes and viral videos on the internet, making him a popular figure in pop culture.
- Knowledge about hockey: Smith has been criticized for his lack of knowledge and interest in hockey, one of the major sports in the United States. He has admitted that he does not watch or follow hockey, and that he does not care about it. He has also made some inaccurate and disrespectful statements about hockey, such as calling it a “minor sport” and saying that no one cares about the Stanley Cup.
Smith has been married once, to a woman named Wanda, but they divorced in 2009. He has two daughters, Jasmine and Kendra, who he is very close with. He also has four siblings, including a half-brother named Basil, who died in a car accident in 2017. Smith was devastated by his brother’s death, and he dedicated his show to him the next day.
Recent Injury and Recovery Update
Smith recently suffered an ankle injury while practicing for the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, which he is coaching. He was playing against Micah Parsons, a star linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, who is on the opposing team coached by Shannon Sharpe. Smith slipped on some sweat on the court and fell hard, hurting his ankle. He was taken to the hospital for X-rays, but he did not break any bones.
- Smith’s injury and absence from “First Take”: Smith’s injury forced him to miss Friday’s episode of “First Take”, which he usually hosts with Molly Qerim and Kellerman. Qerim announced Smith’s injury on the show, and said that he was at the hospital getting X-rays. She also joked that Parsons crossed him over and caused him to fall, which Smith later denied. He called Qerim a “pathological liar” and said that he slipped on his own. He also thanked the NBA for taking care of him and providing him with a brace and a boot.
- Fans’ reactions and well wishes: Smith’s injury sparked a lot of reactions and well wishes from his fans and colleagues on social media. Many of them expressed their concern and support for him, and wished him a speedy recovery. Some of them also made fun of him and his rivalry with the Cowboys, saying that Parsons got his revenge on him for his constant criticism of the team. Smith responded to some of the messages, and said that he appreciated the love and the jokes.
- Speculations about his future at ESPN: Smith’s injury also raised some speculations about his future at ESPN, as he is nearing the end of his contract with the network. He has been rumored to be interested in exploring other opportunities, such as hosting his own late-night show or joining a streaming service. He has also been linked to some potential replacements, such as Michael Irvin and Kendrick Perkins, who have filled in for him on “First Take” before. Smith has not confirmed or denied any of the rumors, and he has said that he is happy at ESPN for now.
Conclusion
Stephen A. Smith is one of the most prominent and polarizing figures in sports media, with a long and successful career at ESPN. He has also faced many controversies and challenges in his life, both personal and professional. He recently injured his ankle while practicing for the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, but he is expected to recover soon and coach his team in the game. He is also approaching the end of his contract with ESPN, and his future is uncertain. Smith is a man who always speaks his mind and makes his presence felt, and he will surely continue to do so in the future.
