Stephen A. Smith, known for his extensive and often vocal presence across various media platforms including television, radio, and podcasts, occasionally finds himself in hot water due to his outspoken nature.
While his comments typically steer clear of being deeply controversial, there have been times when they skirt the edge of propriety.
One such instance occurred during the June 18 episode of ESPN’s “First Take,” which aired in the aftermath of the 2024 NBA Finals’ Game 5. The discussion turned to Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic, a frequent subject of commentary regarding his physical condition. During this conversation, Smith ventured into a peculiar analogy involving ESPN basketball analyst Andraya Carter and her known affection for snakes, juxtaposed oddly with co-host Molly Qerim’s eating habits during breaks.
Smith remarked, “It’s almost the equivalent of asking you to not kiss snakes. It’s the equivalent of asking you not to eat during commercial breaks. You can ask Molly to do a lot of different things — asking her to fast and don’t eat? That’s going to be a problem for her. She’s going to eat between commercial breaks. It’s what she does!” To this, Qerim quickly responded, asserting her autonomy and pride in her habits, “Grown woman! Proud of it. Not a little girl!”
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The exchange took an unexpected turn as the camera, perhaps humorously or by mishap, cut to ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst instead of Qerim or a wider shot as Smith discussed eating, adding an odd layer to the broadcast.
Smith’s comments about Carter referred to her self-professed love for snakes, highlighted by an episode where she brought a snake onto his podcast and even kissed it.
These moments, while intended to be light-hearted or illustrative, sometimes come off as jarring or misplaced, particularly in the structured format of a sports talk show.
This blend of personal anecdotes with professional commentary underscores the fine line media personalities like Smith navigate in delivering engaging yet appropriate content.
