Tag: Stephen

  • ESPN star Stephen A Smith makes stance on trans inclusion in women’s sports clear

    ESPN star Stephen A Smith makes stance on trans inclusion in women’s sports clear

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    ESPN star Stephen A. Smith made his stance on trans inclusion in girls and women’s sports clear during an interview on radio row in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX.

    Smith appeared in an interview for Bloomberg last week to talk about his political aspirations. The clip was published on Saturday. He said he considered himself to be a “centrist” when it came to political leanings, but when it came to trans athletes playing in women’s sports, that’s where he took a different line.

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    Sadie Schreiner holds a transgender flag after finishing third in the finals of the 200m race at the NCAA DIII outdoor track and field championships on May 25, 2024. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

    “So that’s how I look at it. LGBTQ rights and all that stuff, I’m in full support of that, but when transgender athletes, men are transitioning to women and they’re competing in female sports, that’s a different animal to me,” he said.

    “That’s not just about LGBTQ rights. That’s about prying on the rights of females out there everywhere who were born female, and they’re at a decided disadvantage.”

    Smith’s stance came as President Donald Trump signed an executive order to bar transgender athletes from competing against women and girls.

    CA LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE BILL PROTECTING GIRLS FROM TRANS ATHLETES AFTER STATE REFUSES TO FOLLOW TRUMP’S ORDER

    Stephen A Smith at Clippers arena

    Stephen A. Smith on the ESPN NBA Countdown live set at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on Oct. 23, 2024. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

    The NCAA followed Trump’s executive order and changed its policy.

    Linda McMahon, Trump’s pick for education secretary, also said she didn’t believe trans athletes should compete against women and girls in sports.

    “I do not believe that biological boys should be able to compete against girls in sports, and I think now that certainly not only have the people spoken, because that was something that Trump ran very heavily on, but I believe the court has spoken,” McMahon said.

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    Donald Trump signs the executive order

    President Donald Trump signs an executive order barring transgender female athletes from competing in women’s or girls’ sporting events, in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

    A national exit poll conducted by the Concerned Women for America (CWA) legislative action committee found that 70% of moderate voters saw the issue of “Donald Trump’s opposition to transgender boys and men playing girls and women’s sports and of transgender boys and men using girls and women’s bathrooms,” as important to them. And 6% said it was the most important issue of all, while 44% said it was “very important.”

    Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

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  • Stephen A Smith says he would divorce Serena Williams for Super Bowl halftime show cameo

    Stephen A Smith says he would divorce Serena Williams for Super Bowl halftime show cameo

    Serena Williams made a surprise cameo during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show, as she was spotted dancing during the performance of “Not Like Us.”

    Making an appearance for that song sparked some debate on social media, especially considering Lamar’s song is a diss track toward the rapper Drake, whom Williams dated in 2011. 

    Many believed it was no coincidence Williams’ time to shine was during this track, and ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith thinks the same. 

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    Serena Williams dances on stage during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

    It’s why, during his Monday edition of “First Take,” he told his colleagues he would divorce her if he was her husband. 

    “If I’m married and my wife is going to join trolling her ex, go back to his a–, ‘cause clearly you don’t belong with me,” Smith said on the show, which led to some laughter from his colleagues. 

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    “What you worried about him for and you’re with me? Bye. Bye.”

    Williams is married to Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit, and they share two daughters together. 

    Smith’s co-host Ryan Clark responded, “If you were with Serena Williams, you’re going to be a kept man anyways. Don’t start that.”

    Serena Williams dances

    Serena Williams dances during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

    Lamar and Drake have quite the beef with each other, though only one of them saw Grammys won for their diss tracks. 

    “Not Like Us” won Song of the Year, which also won Record of the Year, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video. 

    It’s also worth noting Lamar was joined by SZA during the performance as well, and she confirmed dating Drake after he rapped about it on the track, “Mr. Right Now,” with 21 Savage and Metro Boomin. 

    Whether it’s trolling or not, Williams and Lamar do share a connection with their childhood, having grown up in Compton, California.

    Serena Williams dances

    Serena Williams dances on stage during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans.  (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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    Legendary actor Samuel L. Jackson was also seen during the performance as “Uncle Sam,” as Lamar switched songs throughout. 

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  • Stephen A. Smith likens himself to the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes, prompting spit take from co-host

    Stephen A. Smith likens himself to the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes, prompting spit take from co-host

    Stephen A. Smith is one of the many to find the Kansas City Chiefs annoying, saying it takes one to know one.

    With Super Bowl week underway, Smith and his other “First Take” co-hosts were discussing various topics about the game.

    Naturally, the “annoyance” of the Chiefs came up, and Louis Riddick asked Smith why the team and Patrick Mahomes are “annoying.”

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    Patrick Mahomes and Stephen A. Smith (IMAGN)

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    Dan Orlovsky gave the harsh reality, saying, “They win.”

    When Riddick wanted more, Smith obliged.

    “Listen, I would know something about that. I’m considered one of the most annoying people in television.” Smith said. “Why do you think that is?”

    Stephen A Smith at Clippers arena

    Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s “NBA Countdown” set at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., Oct. 23, 2024. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

    The joke drew laughter from the entire set, and Molly Qerim had to clean up a mess after doing a spit take with her drink.

    TRUMP EXPECTED TO ATTEND SUPER BOWL LIX IN NEW ORLEANS

    “I’ve never done this in my kajillion years on TV,” she said. “I spit straight out my mouth, and I apologize to America. Oh my gosh. Stephen A. and I have never gotten along more. Oh my goodness. That was hilarious.”

    But all good jokes contain some truth, and that was the case for Smith’s crack.

    “April marks 13 consecutive years at No. 1, baby. I mean, this is what we do,” Smith continued. “Keep on hating because I’m gonna keep on winning.”

    Tubi promo

    Super Bowl LIX will be streamed on Tubi. (Tubi)

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    The Chiefs have owned the NFL in recent years. They are playing in their fifth Super Bowl in the last six years and are aiming to become the first team ever to win three consecutive Lombardi trophies.

    Patrick Mahomes celebrates

    Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrates after a touchdown run by running back Kareem Hunt during the first half against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Oct. 20, 2024.  (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

    No team in North American sports has three-peated since the Los Angeles Lakers won three straight NBA titles from 2000 to 2002.

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  • Stephen A Smith sounds off on LeBron James about son’s playing time amid struggles: ‘Stop this’

    Stephen A Smith sounds off on LeBron James about son’s playing time amid struggles: ‘Stop this’

    It’s becoming quite clear that Bronny James isn’t quite ready for the NBA yet.

    The son of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer was called up from the G-League ahead of Tuesday’s game, and he got to play 15 minutes, by far the most of his young career, in his 13th appearance.

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    But it was a struggle, as he went 0-for-5 from the floor and committed three turnovers.

    LeBron James and Bronny James of the Lakers on the court for the first time during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)

    James has made just one shot of 16 from the floor this season, which adds up to just a 6.3 shooting percentage. Sure, it’s unfair to judge on such scarce playing time, but he certainly hasn’t done himself any favors.

    The father-son duo have received flak ever since Bronny was selected 55th overall by his father’s team in the summer, with lots of criticism about nepotism.

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    Well, after Tuesday’s performance, Stephen A. Smith insinuated that it’s still going on, and it’s not beneficial.

    “I’m really, really trying to be as respectful as I possibly can be toward LeBron James, one of the top two or three players in the history of basketball. I am pleading with LeBron James, as a father. Stop this. Stop this. We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad,” Smith said on Wednesday’s edition of “First Take.”

    Bronny James warms up before a Lakers game

    Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James against the Suns at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, Oct. 28, 2024. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

    Smith added he has “no issues” with the two playing on the same team, as James has “earned that” privilege.

    But with his struggles, LeBron is not doing his son any “favors,” said Smith.

    “We know that he’s not ready yet! And I’m saying this with compassion! I’m asking the greatest player in the game, one of the greatest we have ever, or will ever see, who is a basketball savant, you know what these numbers mean, to your son, you’re exposing your son like this.”

    Bronny James warms up

    Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James warms up for the Raptors game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Nov. 1, 2024. (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)

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    Bronny, who averaged less than five points per game in his lone season at USC, has fared much better in the G League, averaging 16.3 points per contest.

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  • ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith says he feels like a fool for voting for Kamala Harris

    ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith says he feels like a fool for voting for Kamala Harris

    ESPN host Stephen A. Smith admitted that he and others who voted for Kamala Harris in November’s election feel like “d— fools,” during an appearance on Real Time With Bill Maher on Friday. 

    Smith made this declaration when discussing comparisons between Harris’ campaign and Barack Obama’s campaign in 2008. The sports pundit argued that the fact that Harris was not nominated via a legitimate primary, and the fact that she performed so poorly during her short stint in the 2020 Democratic primary, made her undesirable to voters.

    Harris dropped out of the 2020 primary in 2019, before even reaching the Iowa caucus. She never received a single primary vote before being anointed the nominee in 2024.

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    Oct. 23, 2024; Inglewood, California: Stephen A. Smith on the ESPN NBA Countdown live set at Intuit Dome.  (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

    “Kamala Harris, who didn’t resonate during the primaries in 2020, couldn’t even get to Iowa, suddenly is the Democratic nominee, then you roll up to the convention in Chicago and everybody is like ‘She’s a rockstar!’ So it’s like ‘How’d that happen?” Smith said. 

    “Yes I voted for her, a lot of people voted for her, but in the end, we end up feeling like d— fools, because we supported it, we fell for the okiedoke as they say. If you had a primary, the likelihood is she would not have been the Democratic nominee.” 

    Smith has been a harsh internal critic of the Democratic Party during and after the 2020 election. 

    During Friday’s appearance on Maher’s show, he scolded liberals for choosing not to campaign on issues that the American people were most concerned about, while admitting that Trump did, and was the closer candidate to the center of the political spectrum. 

    STEPHEN A. SMITH REGRETS BACKING VP HARRIS, ‘OPEN’ TO VOTING GOP: ‘NOT INTERESTED’ IN THE ‘FEAR MONGERING’

    Stephen A. Smith and VP Harris

    Stephen A. Smith grilled Vice President Harris over her avoiding serious media interviews since the start of her campaign. (Jim Cowsert/NBAE | Andrew Harnik / Staff)

    “Here’s the deal: the man was impeached twice, he was convicted on 34 felony counts, and the American people still said, ‘He’s closer to normal than what we see on the left,’” Smith said. 

    During an interview with Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity days after Election Day, Smith insisted that the results were a referendum of the Democratic Party.

    “I think that in light of those results we have to look at this election as a referendum on the Democratic Party. And America’s saying we’re not feeling where you are, we’re not feeling where you tried to go, we want no part of it, we’re not having it – and they made their choice and we all have to accept it,” he said. 

    During an interview on “The Will Cain Show” on the Thursday after the election, Smith delivered a scathing critique of the Democratic National Committee and its message ahead of Election Day and pointed to transgender issues as one of its weak points. 

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    Smith looks on before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks during Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 12, 2024 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 

    Smith looks on before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks during Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 12, 2024 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.  (Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

    “It’s such a strong tilt to the progressive left where we are talking about transgender issues and culture wars and identity politics and all of this stuff. We are sick of all of that. That makes total, total sense to me, and I’m good with it, even though I didn’t vote for [Trump]. I’m not as taken aback and feeling like nothing but gloom and doom and the world is coming to an end because the person I voted for didn’t win,” Smith said. 

    Smith has said multiple times that he would consider running for public office. After the results of the election, he has been one of the few figures in the liberal media to embrace the outcome of Trump’s victory and has been heavily critical of left-wing figures like Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Jimmy Kimmel in their portrayal of Trump. 

    Smith also did not rule out a possible presidential run for himself during an interview on “The View” the week after the election.

    “I have no desire to be a congressional figure or a senator. But if you came to me and you told me I had a legitimate shot to win the presidency of the United States of America, I would definitely consider it,” he said.

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