Why is he showing up stinkin' everywhere now?

I first noticed him on ESPN or something, playing the angry black man schtick. Easy enough to avoid -- I don't watch much ESPN and I know where the mute button is.

Now he's showing up in commercials on TV, too. Same angry-man voice, same effort: trying to convince someone of something.

He's quite the annoying fella.

Because the Democrats have always loved a good minstrel.

He’s loud. That’s his Schtick.

He’s not informative nor does he offer much expertise.

I too hate to hear his voice.

Comedian Katt Williams, in an interview with Shannon Sharpe, questioned Smith's bona fides as blackity black man. From Brave search --

Williams' Criticism of Smith
During the interview, Williams alleged that Smith is part of an "alphabet mafia" or industry cabal that installs personalities with insufficient talent or journalistic integrity to push specific narratives. Williams specifically attacked Smith’s memoir, Straight Shooter, calling Smith’s basketball history and career rise "fabricated" and arguing that Smith’s role at ESPN is to deliver corporate messages rather than provide genuine sports analysis.

Smith's Response and Defense of Sharpe
Stephen A. Smith has not engaged in a direct public feud with Williams but has addressed the fallout from the interview. Smith has stated that Shannon Sharpe became a target of intense media scrutiny and backlash specifically because of the massive success and viral numbers generated by the Williams interview. Smith expressed disappointment in the "glee" some critics showed toward Sharpe’s legal troubles, attributing the heightened attacks to the threat the interview posed to established media narratives.

Key Points of Contention
Talent and Integrity: Williams claimed Smith lacks genuine sports knowledge and relies on editors to rewrite his content, labeling him a "plant" installed by industry gatekeepers.
Narrative Control: Williams suggested that Smith and similar figures are used to promote specific social or political agendas, such as vaccine compliance, rather than independent journalism.
Impact on Sharpe: Smith believes the Williams interview elevated Sharpe’s profile so significantly that it made him a target for critics and litigants, leading to a more aggressive media response to Sharpe’s recent legal issues.

Yep, he's even showing up on some of news channels as political analysist or something. What kind of expertise could he possibly have?

quote:

Originally posted by fiasconva:
Yep, he's even showing up on some of news channels as political analysist or something. What kind of expertise could he possibly have?

About the same as his sports "expertise." He talks like he was a hall of fame level of talent, but the fact is he wasn't even a starter on his D2 college basketball team. A legend in his own mind.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
Why is he showing up stinkin' everywhere now?

He was thinking of running for POTUS in 2028, don't know if those plans are still on or buried. But that gave him carte blanche on TV news and other outlets, some fancied him as some sort of black Bill Maher or something; willing to say something reasonable and common sense, then the next moment spout off some leftist-looney ideas.

I’m definitely not the only person tired of hearing from Stephen A.

Ryan Preece has harsh words for him, too.

quote:

For those who missed it, Stephen A. sent the NASCAR world into a frenzy this week when he said NASCAR drivers aren't athletes. It's not a new debate, by the way, but Stephen A. brought it back to the surface, and it went ... poorly.

{snip}

Anyway, a caller suggested Richard Petty deserves to be on that list, and the "First Take" host LOST it.

"Come on, man. That don’t count. You driving a car!" Smith said. "I’m being honest, it’s a great sport. But come on, bro. Getting behind the wheel of a car is not the same. You can be behind the wheel of a car in your 60s and 70s for crying out loud. A golfer is not an athlete. A NASCAR driver is not an athlete."

https://x.com/Motorsport/status/2046709672640438290




https://x.com/Frontstretch/status/2048068948931793051



From a follow-up post:

quote:

I think Stephen A. Smith needs to strap his ass to something that goes 200 mph six inches from a car in every direction that causes his heart rate to run 155 for 3 hours and then get back to us.

He's a latter day minstrel. I'm serious. The only thing missing is de ol' banjo and a lively shuffle.

He is the epitome of what is wrong with ESPN.

Politics is everywhere and I believe I'm in the majority when I say I'd like sports to be 100% entertainment and a reprieve from politics and wokeness.

Wokeness is why I stopped watching the NFL for over a decade after being a fan since my earliest childhood memories. Politics and wokeness is the reason I went from watching ESPN's Sports Center every night to less than 5x per year.

Then there is JALLEN's frequent saying, "nothing beats knowing what you're doing." Stephen A Smith was a benchwarmer on a b-level basketball team in a b-level league and knows even less about football, hockey, baseball, NASCAR, etc. but for some reason has to express his opinion on them.

Not to shift focus from the deserved target, take a look at F1 drivers' necks and tell me they're not athletes. These are some of the fittest people in any arena.

MotoGP as well. My favorite rider of all time broke his tib and fib. Bone was sticking out of the skin. For us mere mortals, that’s 6 months post OP to walk. About 6 weeks later he was in the pit, using a cane to walk, and getting back on the bike. He podiumed after 2 races. Then won a race a month later. I’ve seen these guys break their collarbone, have surgery and get it plated, and return the same weekend and race. Fittest athletes I have ever seen and unreal the pain they’ll ride in from injury. Some corners are 170 mph fully leaned over (curvone at Misano), 225 mph top speed, and no seat belts NBA players today have a lil hurt knee and skip the playoffs due to it.

Stephen A. Smith wants to run for POTUS.

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:
Not to shift focus from the deserved target, take a look at F1 drivers' necks and tell me they're not athletes. These are some of the fittest people in any arena.

Usually my first response to people saying 'racing isn't a sport'

quote:

Originally posted by Prefontaine:
NBA players today have a lil hurt knee and skip the playoffs due to it.

I snickered more than a little at that statement.