Basketball icon Michael Jordan was in the spotlight on Sunday after his co-owned 23XI Racing team won the Daytona 500. Driver Tyler Reddick crossed the finish line first with help from teammate Riley Herbst.
During the celebration, a clip of the NBA legend seemingly having an inappropriate interaction with Reddick’s son, Beau, went viral. Some fans highlighted his “Jeffrey” middle name to relate him to Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
Stephen A. Smith, on his “Straight Shooter” show, defended Michael Jordan:
“It’s a kid that Michael Jordan loves like it’s his own kid. It’s a kid that he’s known for years. … He’s very familiar with the kid. He knows him. He’s got a lot of love for him and his family. I believe there were adults standing there. … Why would we jump to that conclusion?”
Smith joined the long list of people who have defended Jordan once the eight-second clip went viral. Others have emphasized that the Chicago Bulls icon merely wanted to help remove the ice that had gathered around the back of Reddick’s son. Beau was drenched with water when he stood with his father during the celebration.
According to Smith, the camera angle became a big deal for fans who quickly concluded that Jordan did something inappropriate. The sports talk show host added that people should put things in context before reacting.
Stephen A. Smith Cautions People From Making “Viral Moment a Verdict” After Controversial Michael Jordan Moment
Stephen A. Smith underlined the “pivotal” importance of holding people accountable. To do that, there has to be judgment based on “facts” and not “on emotions.” Smith added:
“It should be based on what we know, not what we think. And unfortunately, in the days and times that we’re living in, that’s not necessarily the case. … We should stop acting like a viral moment is a verdict.”
Smith continued that Michael Jordan would not argue about people accusing him online of making an inappropriate gesture. The “First Take” host added that Jordan is “the kind of person that’s not going to dignify certain things with a response.” Hence, he urged people to have more prudence when judging somebody based on viral events.
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