NFL Network analyst Steve Smith went viral last week for his harsh criticism for Denver Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy. It wasn’t necessarily in response, but 94 WIP host Hugh Douglas took the opposite approach when discussing NFL talents, and I think that approach is the more appropriate one.
The issue I have with Smith’s criticism isn’t that it was harsh. I don’t mind harsh criticism, especially if it is warranted. You could argue that Smith’s criticism is warranted, but it came across as more that his ego was damaged by Jeudy failing to grovel at his feet rather than about his play on the field.
Steve Smith was a great — some would say borderline Hall of Famer — during his NFL career. He has carved a nice niche in the NFL analyst world for his outspoken beliefs. But there is a difference between outspoken beliefs and personal beefs, and one has no business being aired on the league-owned pregame show.
During his midday show on 94 WIP, Hugh Douglas said calling players “garbage” was “the one thing that I’m trying not to do — because I see a lot of my contemporaries doing that. Now, I’m trying not to use those words like ‘garbage’ and like certain things like that, because it does take a lot to get to this level of play at this level.”
I couldn’t agree with him more. Noting that it takes a lot to play at a high level doesn’t dissuade anyone from giving or protect anyone from receiving criticism. I have no issue. But the personal nature in which “analysis” has turned isn’t a welcome switch, in my opinion.
If Steve Smith had claimed that Jerry Jeudy was “just a guy” and a “WR3”, I’ve got no qualms. But it’s the personal nature of the storytelling, and it appeared the only reason he was angered was that Jeudy didn’t worship the ground Smith walked on. That’s just such a weak response from someone who puts on such a tough exterior.
SportsCenter anchor Scott Van Pelt shared similar sentiments during an appearance on The Michael Kay Show Monday. “There are people that traffic in telling you everybody’s garbage and the hot takes, and this and that and everybody stinks,” Van Pelt said before adding “I try to show a bit more respect for the folks that are in the arena.”
You can be critical and not be a jerk. Hugh Douglas does it every day. It shouldn’t be hard to accomplish, but for some NFL analysts, that’s easier said than done. Harsh criticism is fair, and can often make for great TV or radio.
But being a jerk just to be a jerk? I can’t think of a more selfish action from an analyst. What did the viewer learn from Smith’s diatribe? What information was offered? How was the viewer served by what happened on the screen and the story told by Smith?
The answers? Nothing. The viewer learned nothing, other than Smith is basically guilty of the same accusation — being thin-skinned — that he tried to label Jeudy with. What information was offered? Nothing. It was an anecdote to which the average person couldn’t relate. How was the viewer served? They weren’t. Smith got the opportunity to grind an ax, a one-sided ax at that, and took it. A viewer got to see an analyst pout because they didn’t get their way. Even if Smith’s ultimate goal was to simply be entertaining, I think it missed the mark. It came across as petty and stupid.
There is a difference between analysis and opinion. Both can include the other. But when you’re argument is simply “this guy didn’t want to talk to me after I was an asshole to him, therefore he sucks,” how else should I take your analysis other than “this is junior high bullshit”?
Kudos to Hugh Douglas and Scott Van Pelt for taking the high road. Neither are afraid to levy a difficult appraisal for any situation, but choosing to do so with tact and class might not drive social media reaction and website traffic, but it also lends itself to better conversation overall.
Whether pandering to the lowest common denominator or not is good for business shouldn’t be something that’s even worth discussing, but here we are.
Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing bi-weekly industry features and a weekly column. He has previously served as Program Director and Afternoon Co-Host on 93.1 The Fan in Lima, OH, and is the radio play-by-play voice of Northern Michigan University hockey. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
