Stephen A. Smith inspired me to chase truth as a student at Winston-Salem State University and eventually at HBCU Gameday. Two decades later, Smith needs to face the truth about himself.
The Lesson That Started It All
As a student journalist at Winston-Salem State University, I was told that no good journalist is liked by everyone because they tell the truth.
I was told that as a sophomore twenty years ago, during WSSU Homecoming, by Stephen A. Smith.
At that point, Stephen A. Smith was, to me, the pinnacle — the aspiration. He was proof that a student from Winston-Salem State could rise to ESPN and sit across from legends. He was confident, informed and unapologetic — everything I wanted to be. Which makes what he’s allowed himself to become — or perhaps what he’s chosen to embrace — so heartbreaking and disappointing.
From Small Town Dreams to HBCU Reality
Growing up in a small town in North Carolina, I wanted to play sports — basketball, especially. I dreamed of the NBA. But as life and my genetics would have it, that dream didn’t grow as tall as I hoped.
What did grow, though, was my love for the games themselves. I devoured them. I’d take basketball and football magazines to school, flipping through photos and player features while teachers told me to put them away.
When it came time to choose a major, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. My uncle suggested sportswriting, seeing how much I loved both words and the games behind them. Around that time, I started noticing a man on ESPN: Stephen A. Smith. He didn’t just talk sports; he reported them — with insight, with authority, and with confidence that made me believe I could do it too.
When I learned he was a graduate of Winston-Salem State University, that pretty much sealed it. I decided that’s where I would go.
Following in His Footsteps
At WSSU, I threw myself into journalism. I joined The News Argus, became the sports editor, and studied under the same professors who once taught Stephen A. Smith — Ms. Marilyn Roseboro and Dr. Valerie Sadler. I was literally walking the same halls, learning from the same voices. I even added my middle initial to my byline.
When Stephen A. returned for Homecoming in 2005, he was already a star at ESPN. Through my editor and our faculty advisor, I got the chance to interview him. He told me something that has stayed with me ever since:
“No good journalist is liked by everyone. If you are, you’re not doing your job.”
Those words became the foundation of my career. They guided me through college and through building HBCU Gameday in 2012. They’ve shaped every hard truth I’ve ever had to tell — even about my own alma mater.
Smith was a consistent presence at the university at that time, as much as he could be from afar. He showed up to talk to students, do promos for the university and helped financially. I became the first and only recipient of the Stephen A. Smith Student Journalist of the Year Award. That meant everything. It validated the path I was on.
Excellent commentary.
Damn, I didn’t know how much he has changed until I read this. I saw someone else on YouTube basically say the same things about him. He ended by basically saying that SA can’t pivot away from where he’s at back to where he should be.
Wonderfully said ??
This writer and apparent WSSU graduate reflects what I’ve seen from many left-leaning blacks, particularly in academia and the so-called news media. If a person of color, and almost exclusively a black person, takes a political position that is different than the group-think that black people in general seen to espoused, that person is castigated, chastised and vilified. I am a black man who doesn’t agree with leftist nor socialist ideologies and, while I don’t always agree with Stephen A., I respect his right to have an opinion that doesn’t align with the Democrat party.
Ok the issue here is if you’re a minority, whether Black, Hispanic, etc. If we dont walk along party lines that “we” should be in, we are wrong. As this person mentioned regarding SAS leaning “right” during his career and commenting on both sides of the aisle is apparently wrong, how he’s forgotten where he came from. This is complete and utter nonsense. Looking at the landscape properly and firmly is how we all should be. Im Latino and I am a conservative person, that is the beauty of our country, im a free man and I have unalienable rights to think freely and live my life freely, without persecution from anyone.
This type of aritlce is divisive and harmful because SAS is an American like anyone else. And has the right to say and support how he feels fit. As long as he does right by his contract he is fine.
He is not a religious person nor in public service to treat him as such, and write articles of disappointment because he didnt live up to your expectations.
I can say more but this will do.
The BAG…!?
Great job. We all need to be reminded of our foundations that shape us along our journey.
Steven, This commentary is fire. It’s brilliant. The word choices. The construction. Well done.
Be careful what you think you’ve learned following Stephen Smith. Modeling after someone is not always the best way. There are others out there that see him as a Buffoon, a loud mouth, or the dog that yikes the loudest in a pack. Not always the best way to show True Leadership. Good he has a Scholarship for Students, but that does make him a truly good Role model. I would take the advice that First Lady Michelle Obama suggested about Mr Smith. Loud Chucking and Jiving, in my best English, Ain’t the way!
This commentary was so insightful and on point. My husband and I watch his ESPN sports show everyday as a Black female professional.
I had to stop.
He has become so condescending and spewing such malice towards black women that it infuriated me.
He wears his arrongance and the need to be right all the time like a badge of honor.
For a man who was raised pretty much in a female Black household he should hold his head in shame and make ammends with Black women.
Well said ?
A great piece. Your heart was in this. The truth, but funny at times. I enjoyed reading it.
SA said if everyone likes you you’re not telling the truth. Has t occurred to you that what he is saying is the truth. Harris and Crockett are not good people period. Crockett is a bigger attention seeker than all of them. SA siding with common sense policies is not right leaning its just plain right. I don’t like the man but I respect a lot of things he says. And remember he is an over the top personality!
Power, money, and fame can change a person of humble beginnings to someone we don’t even recognize. Kudos to the author of this eye-opening commentary. Stephen A. is among a list of many who have forgotten their roots and have sold out our culture. May we pray that he understands the influence that he has and change before it’s too late. We all have a responsibility to make our communities and the world a better place. I’m inspired and hopeful that the author will continue to speak truth to power even if it means shining the light on someone who he once admired.
Hello Fellow Ram,
Thanks for the article. I am hoping you can grab an interview w him since you two have some history? Ask him some of those tough questions. Some of his stance/comments on Black people and especially Black Women are very concerning. With a President as “conflicting” as Trump. The messages from our “Leaders”/with large Platforms need to be clear and precise but more importantly POSITIVE.
Thanks,
Danny
Seems like Stephen A. was correct, sounds as if you don’t like the truths that he spoke.
OR…… is it possible that S.A.S. is actually fulfilling the phrase that stuck with you initially, except now you happen to be on the side that disagreed? It brings us to the question I believe we need to answer in OUR black community. Why can’t we keep our “black” card when/if we disagree with the viewpoint or behavior of other black people? Are we free to think and have an opinion or is this more about S.A.S’s tone? Real question – not trying to create drama. Here’s the backbone of my question. I’m a black male, professional white collar worker. My friends NEVER feel as if I’ve lost my identity as long as I’m in agreement with them on every issue, as long as I have nothing to say about black culture today and as long as I agree with and promote every black political figure paraded in front of us. If I ever from those rules, then I’m labeled ( Uncle Tom, sellout, etc .. ). The fact that I agree with them on so many other things is lost at that point. They go away angry and never answering the questions I posed. After the cooling off period ( I’m always ok but they seem to need space to cool down ) they return with that prideful pat on their own back that seems to make them feel as they are the bigger person for talking to me again. In the end I believe we’re alienating a ton of our people. We are a group without a home. In my group I now know to chime in when in agreement and stay quiet otherwise. As a black male older than both you and S.A.S. it seems we used to be focused on issues that helped us as a black group, but now we’re focused on blackness at all costs even if it’s harmful to the black group long term. I think labeling S.A.S. is unfair and more harmful than the harm you mention.
“. . . no good journalist is liked by everyone because they tell the truth.”
No good journalist writes ‘they’ to refer to ‘journalist’.
This is so on point. I’m a writer of social commentary myself, and don’t typically delve into sports writing, but I wish I had written this. It needed to be said. Well done.
Look in the mirror and then look into your Mother’s eyes and ask her what is different about you now.
I too appreciate what SAS has represented in sports. I bought his book. It was an interesting read. As African Americans we must not ever forget where we come from, how our ancestors fought for us to have the lives we live every day & how we may be losing all that day by day. I truly hope that SAS remembers all of that & honors his mom & sisters.
I think the author was right on target. I think it is fine to have an opposing point of view. Steven Smith is entitled to his opinions, but what he has done in recent years is pandering to conservative, very right leaning thought; he seems to be intolerant of Black Women, whom he would in the chauvinistic bubble he lives in,might be labeled as “ uppity”, Black women who speak truth to power, credentialed Black women who understand how to use their positions to call out racism, sexism, misogyny, homophobia, xenophobia and still have their “ nails done and their hair did”.
He is intimidated by someone stealing his thunder. There seems to be a seething disrespect for Black people in general and Black women in particular; his rants seem performative, after all, the best way to keep your job in the F.O.T.U.S.(felon of the United States) era, is to be cruel, vitriolic, huff and puff and denigrate your own essence to curry favor.
Many Black men , like Steven A. Smith ( Byron Donald’s, Tim Scott, Clarence Thomas) have a deep self loathing and deep seated disrespect for Black women and they carry out the harm as policy. They have adopted the adage that it is OK the oppress Black women, because the myth that they have no power as part of The Big Lie, has turned out to be a false one.
Stephen A Smith is afraid! When you fear, you lash out. By the way Jamelle Hill, his peer in Sports Journalism, has challenged him and dissolved his right wing talking points with telling the truth.
Stephen A Smith is a chauvinist above all. He thinks that Black Women should know their places. He is Top Crab in the barrel, kicking Black people back down to the bottom so he can maintain his relevance.
There have been many Stephen A Smiths in history who have bartered and sold their Black souls-Run Tell Dat-Uncle Tom-Steppin’ Fetchit-caricatures who shuffle for an extra crumb, a spot on the floor in Massa’s outhouse or a show on ESPN. They jealously guard the space they are in and punch down to keep the money flowing in and try to silence anyone else, not by engaging in dialog, but by chest-thumping, eye-stretching, talking over and shouting down your perceived enemies and intellectual opponents.
Black Women aren’t going anywhere. Black People, Black Athletes aren’t going anywhere. We will always go around and step over obstreperous obstructors and shameless sell-outs like Stephen Smith. And THAT’s the TRUTH!
MBT
I think the author was right on target. I think it is fine to have an opposing point of view. Steven Smith is entitled to his opinions, but what he has done in recent years is pandering to conservative, very right leaning thought; he seems to be intolerant of Black Women, who in the chauvinistic bubble he lives in, might be labeled as “ uppity”, Black women who speak truth to power, credentialed Black women who understand how to use their positions to call out racism, sexism, misogyny, homophobia, xenophobia and still have their “ nails done and their hair did”.
He is intimidated by someone stealing his thunder. There seems to be a seething disrespect for Black people in general and Black women in particular; his rants seem performative, after all, the best way to keep your job in the F.O.T.U.S.(felon of the United States) era, is to be cruel, vitriolic, huff and puff and denigrate your own essence to curry favor.
Many Black men , like Steven A. Smith ( Byron Donald’s, Tim Scott, Clarence Thomas) have a deep self-loathing and deep seated disrespect for Black women and they carry out the harm as policy. They have adopted the adage that it is OK the oppress Black women, because the myth that they have no power as part of The Big Lie, has turned out to be a false one. Men like Smith are undone by brilliant, outspoken, beautiful Black women who counter the stereotypes; Stephen Smith and his ilk, are clawing on a chalkboard , trying to deflect attention away from their own biases and insecurities.
Stephen A Smith is afraid! When you fear, you lash out. By the way, Jamelle Hill, his peer in Sports Journalism, has challenged him and dissolved his right wing talking points with telling the truth.
Stephen A Smith is a chauvinist above all. He thinks that Black Women should know their places. He is Top Crab in the barrel, kicking Black people back down to the bottom so he can maintain his relevance.
There have been many Stephen A Smiths in history who have bartered and sold their Black souls-Run Tell Dat-Uncle Tom-Steppin’ Fetchit-caricatures who shuffle for an extra crumb, a spot on the floor in Massa’s outhouse or a show on ESPN.
They jealously guard the space they are in and punch down to keep the money flowing in and try to silence anyone else, not by engaging in dialog, but by chest-thumping, eye-stretching, talking over and shouting down your perceived enemies and intellectual opponents.
Black Women aren’t going anywhere. Black People, Black Athletes aren’t going anywhere. We will always walk around and step over obstreperous obstructors and shameless sell-outs like Stephen Smith. And THAT’s the TRUTH!
MBT
Sent from my iPhone
He is gross. Maybe he can marry that Candace Owens person and have kids that hate themselves.
Two things can be true at the same time. I absolutely get what the writer is saying, but I also understand what the critics are saying about Brown people not being a monolith. As an independent thinker myself, I don’t fit neatly into any category; however, I completely recognize how the majority culture sticks together and rallies around those they believe are for their self interest no matter how ridiculous, dangerous and evil that person may be. I also see how Black and Brown people will rally around those they KNOW are against their well being and often quiet harmfully so. Why? Many of our people still desire the approval of the majority culture. Some of us want desperately for them to pat us on the head and tell us we are one of the “good ones”. Some of us have assimilated so much that we actually believe we are part of them when we are only being used for our votes, money, influence or to make them not look racist. It’s not very different from the days of slavery when one enslaved person would snitch on the person who had either escaped or was planning to escape. Why? Approval?- (That pat on the head-Good boy.) Advancement? – (You are our favorite) Anger? (We don’t want someone to have what we can’t have.) This continues today, but I have decided to think for myself by 1) NOT criticizing or bad mouthing Black and Brown people who are running for office, speaking out on issues that affect us and are trying to be a part of the solution whether I agree wholeheartedly or not. 2) NOT falling for the “You’re one of the good ones” line when I happen to agree with a political point of the majority culture. 3) NOT allowing myself to be used by majority culture to cause division. Finally, I really don’t know much about Stephen A. I have heard of him because I have family members who are huge sports fans, so I don’t know anything about his politics or views, but I do understand that people who get to where he is can easily fall into one of my described categories and money can be a huge motivation to stay there. But I also recognized that some words and views are just”clickbait” to get viewers riled, so I don’t make a judgement on it. However, this I know for certain, that if any of us are in a situation where we get pulled over and someone doesn’t recognize our name, images or likeness and start to treat us like Rodney King or the many others who didn’t live through their ordeal, the people would are going to come to our (or our family’s)rescue are the very people that we criticize for being too liberal, radical, trouble makers or “ghetto”-Not the ones who’ve been patting us on the head and saying “Good Boy.”
You know its funny how some who have labeled themselves conservative cant seem to connect with what the writer was saying. Black People as a whole are CONSERVATIVE, We have to be but we’re not Monoliths. To be totally Conservative or Liberal is not realistic for most of us meaning we could be 70% Conservative and 30% Liberal or vise versa…THIS is what the writer was referring to IMO and for SAS to speak in a condescending tone when addressing Black Women “OPENLY” and their conduct especially when its Women who already have an uphill battle was out of line FOR MOST OF US. The writer is simply saying he could’ve and should’ve done better, his path will end with a brick wall if he doesn’t change with Black People.