ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has proven to be a polarizing figure. Many will disagree with Smith simply because he is who he is, and many will charge him with accusations of failing to be critical of his so-called friends. But during a recent interview, Smith shared how he truly views himself.
While appearing on The Mike Missanelli Podcast on the BetRivers Network, the former Philadelphia sports radio host shared that he and Smith have been friends for years, and is often asked “What’s Stephen A. like?”, so Missanelli asked Smith to define the answer.
“This is perhaps the cockiest thing I’ll ever say about myself,” Smith said. “I’m a good dude. I truly don’t mean harm against anybody. I’m not somebody that wants to succeed but I want it to be at your expense. I want you to succeed, too. I don’t wanna be at the top by myself. I don’t wanna look at people and see them at the bottom. I don’t want people unemployed, I don’t want people struggling. I don’t want that.
“That’s why I’m so big on compassion, I’m so big on ‘Own up to your mistakes when you make them and let’s move forward’ as opposed to living in this cancel culture world we’re living in where people want you to lose your job and for you to be fired.”
Smith argued that his upbringing has shaped him, but he doesn’t view topics or people through a lens centered around race.
“I’m a Black man that understands that racism and prejudice exists but I’m talking to one of my boys who’s as white as they come, but I’m cool with him, because I know that Mike Missanelli’s a good dude…you can’t come to me if Mike Missanelli makes a mistake and you want me to ignore years of friendship and you want him fired. ‘Did he apologize? Did he acknowledge he made a mistake? Don’t you make mistakes? Can’t we move on from that?’ I’m that guy…fairness and compassion come first with me, always.”
Missanelli concluded by jokingly stating he’s never made a mistake, which Smith rebutted “I know you’ve never admitted one”.
