ESPN suspends Smith for comments on abuse

[alp227]

Source: AP

NEW YORK (AP) — ESPN has suspended outspoken sportscaster Stephen A. Smith for a week because of his comments about domestic abuse suggesting women should make sure that they don't do anything to provoke an attack.

Smith's commentary occurred during a discussion on ESPN2's "First Take" last Friday about the NFL's two-game suspension of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice following charges he assaulted his now-wife. The remarks attracted widespread attention, including a stinging rebuke online from a fellow ESPN personality.

Smith issued an on-air apology Monday, saying it was the most egregious mistake of his career.

A day later, ESPN took action. The network's chief executive, John Skipper, told ESPN's staff in a memo it was done after a "thoughtful discussion" about appropriate actions with men and women in his company.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/espn-suspends-smith-comments-abuse

[HERVEPA]

1. The idioy should be fired

[KarenS]

2. I don't understand why they waited until after he apologized.

I'm not defending what he said at all, bec he sounded terrible. His apology seemed sincere. It sure makes it look like because he admitted to making a mistake he was punished for the admission rather than what he originally said.

I dunno,,,,

[pangaia]

4. An apology means nothing.

He obviously said exactly what he believes.
What kind of man even THINKS such a shitty thing?

[KarenS]

5. I don't disagree with you.

I am questioning ESPN's timing and motives.

[pangaia]

14. Good point...

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

22. Unfortunately it appears that there are men and women who agree with him.

Many in fact. So many are AMENing and high-fiving what he said. :nono:

Why didn't we hold Whoopi accountable for asserting that Jay-Z should have hit Solange back?

[rpannier]

6. My guess it's two-fold

1. To give Smith the opportunity to give his apology before taking action. It makes Smith's apology seem more sincere then if he had apologized after being given a suspension.

2. ESPN probably decided to discuss this matter with several people (one being their attorneys), gauge public opinion over a few days to see if opinion shifted at all and (either) be methodical in their decision or at least look methodical.

[Android3.14]

3. What an idiot

I wonder if his girlfriends know.

[bluedigger]

10. "Girlfriends"?

That's a pretty cheap shot itself.

[Android3.14]

16. Yup.

It is what it is.
Like your sig, bluedigger.

[bluedigger]

17. As long as you don't mind owning it. n/t

[SunSeeker]

7. Meanwhile, the NFL is STILL defending its two game suspension of Rice as "appropriate."

Last edited Tue Jul 29, 2014, 11:47 PM - Edit history (1)

[840high]

18. Makes me very angry.

[SunSeeker]

24. Me too. Rice punched her into unconsciousness then dragged her body through a casino.

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2145308-the-baltimore-ravens-defense-of-ray-rice-is-indefensible?utm_source=m.cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=m.cnn-sports-bin

[Delphinus]

32. OMG!

I had no idea ... what the team is doing, standing behind him instead of insisting he go to jail for assault, is bizarre.

[Arkana]

26. But Josh Gordon got the whole season for weed possession.

Fucking assholes.

[SunSeeker]

29. Can't have football players smoking pot! They might lose their 'roid rage edge.

[benld74]

8. About time

[bluedigger]

12. Seems appropriate.

Par for the course for TV personalities that put their foot in their mouth, I'd say. I just watched his apology and it seemed sincere to me. I'll judge him on the totality of his career, which I believe has been supportive of women's issues, rather than condemn him forever for one poorly expressed comment.

[LanternWaste]

23. What specifically leads you to this conclusion?

"I believe has been supportive of women's issues..."

What specifically leads you to this conclusion?

[bluedigger]

30. I believe his sincerity in his apology.

His background - four older sisters and professed familiarity with abuse in his own family - and my own familiarity with the same. He's not an anonymous internet poster but a real guy who has to face his family at the end of the day. We live in a jaded age where everyone is subject to being thrown under the bus at the drop of a hat, but I still believe in forgiveness and redemption. People aren't as simple as good and evil. Except Cheney, of course.

[one_voice]

15. Good. n/t

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

19. I've watched his commentary on ESPN

People who watch him know he has a big mouth, likes to be a contrarian, and sometimes says provocative things. He seems to revel in trying to come up with a tack on a story or issue that others haven't presented to show how clever he is. He sometimes talks smack about players and viewers know he gets a little over the top at times. This time he went too far. Whether he actually believes that women should measure their words lest they give their man an excuse to attack them, I think probably not. But in his zest to be an entertainer, he made a pretty unacceptable statement. I'd probably let him go, as physically attacking women is a crime.

[Kurska]

20. Biggest idiot on ESPN for awhile now.

And that is impressive, because he has some stiff competition there for sure.

[hifiguy]

21. Amusing, since he is such an overbearing, sanctimonious blowhard

when it comes to weed and other things. The guy has a big mouth he often engages before starting his brain. He and Skip Bayless deserve each other. Now there's a horrible fate.

[Arkana]

25. Stephen A is a moron and I'm surprised it took him this long

to say something stupid enough to get him in trouble.

[merrily]

27. YES!

[theHandpuppet]

28. It was only a matter of time

This isn't Smith's first offense. He made similar comments with regard to Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson when that bigmouth assaulted his wife.

[WhoWoodaKnew]

31. He should have been suspended years ago just for being an arrogant ass.