ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has drawn criticism on social media following his comments on two-time WNBA All-Star Chiney Ogwumike’s French accent.
On Friday’s episode of “First Take”, while the panel discussed the Nuggets-Timberwolves series, Ogwumike began to praise Rudy Gobert’s defense in French. Smith interrupted her assessment with a comment about her accent.
“I’ve never dated a woman from France, but after hearing Chiney (speak French), I was like, what have I been missing? That verbiage right there, that kinda turned me on,” Smith said.
Fans reacted to his comments on social media with criticism of Smith. Some fans even called for ESPN to fire him on the grounds of sexual harassment. Instagram user @jcubedhax shared a video calling for Smith to be fired.
“Stephen A. Smith needs to face consequences for that. … I think he should be fired. I’ll lead that charge, fire Stephen A. Smith. You should have done it years ago,” she said.
Her video drew reactions from former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens and Ashanti Plummer, who co-hosts the “Fudd Around and Find Out” podcast with Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd.
“Guarantee, he’ll make an apology and nothing will be done about it. It’ll be all good,” Owens wrote.
“EWWWW,” wrote Ashanti.
Stephen A. Smith says being “canceled” would unleash him even more
Speaking on SiriusXM at the start of April, Stephen A. Smith addressed his ongoing feuds with LeBron James and Matt Barnes.
“Whether it’s with ESPN or whether it’s right here with SiriusXM, do you know why I’m not worried about these athletes? Cause they can’t touch me,” Smith said. “They want to make enough noise so enough people can turn against somebody like me, and maybe, just maybe, you won’t listen to me.”
Smith continued, saying that if he were to get fired, his takes would only get more unfiltered.
“You got folks out there that want me canceled,” Smith continued. “I want you to imagine for a second that I’m no longer working for the Mouse during my day job. There’s no more ESPN, there’s no Walt Disney, and all there is SiriusXM and whatever else I want to do in the YouTube stratosphere. Do you understand there would be no barricades? There would be no barriers. Do you understand? That would unleash me even more…careful what you wish for.”
Smith has yet to publicly comment on the social media outrage regarding his comments toward Chiney Ogwumike.
Read More: Stephen A. Smith Goes Back on His Word in Honest Admission About Dusty May’s Michigan
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