Stephen A Smith Issues Public Apology After Domestic Violence Comments
Stephen A. Smith, ESPN journalist and co-host of the network's "First Take" debate show, is speaking out publicly after offending many who believed he may have placed blame on women involved in domestic violence situations.
Smith, 46, took to the "First Take" debate desk with his co-star and fellow journalist Skip Bayless to debate Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice's recent suspension. Rice, 27, was suspended for two games after allegations surfaced about him beating his now wife unconscious when a video went public.
When the "First Take" discussion about Rice's suspension turned into a conversation about domestic violence, Smith's comments rubbed many the wrong way.NAlthough Smith vehemently disagreed with men assaulting women, he made a point to remark about women preventing those volatile situations from taking place.
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"We keep talking about the guys. We know you have no business putting your hands on a woman … But what I've tried to employ the female members of my family … and this what, I've done this all my life, let's make sure we don't do anything to provoke wrong actions,'" Smith said on "First Take" Friday. "Because if I come, or somebody else comes, whether it's law enforcement officials, your brother or the fellas that you know, if we come after somebody who has put their hands on you, it doesn't negate the fact that they already put their hands on you. So let's try to make sure that we can do our part in making sure that that doesn't happen."
Smith's comments upset a number of the show's female fans, including his ESPN colleague and "Sports Nation" host Michelle Beadle.
Beadle took to Twitter to express her disgust with Smith's comments, revealing that she was once in an abusive relationship.
"Violence isn't the victim's issue. It's the abuser's," Beadle tweeted. "To insinuate otherwise is irresponsible and disgusting. Walk. Away."
Smith later issued a public apology on "First Take."
"My words came across that it is somehow a woman's fault," said Smith. "This was not my intent. It is not what I was trying to say. Yet the failture to clearly articulate something different lies squarely on my shoulders."
Smith's television apology comes after the one he made onTwitter.
"I completely recognize the sensitivity of the issues and the confusion and disgust that my comments caused. First off, as I said earlier and I want to reiterate strongly, it is never OK to put your hands on a woman," he wrote. "Ever. I understand why that important point was lost in my other comments, which did not come out as I intended."
He went on to insist that he does not believe that women are to blame for instances where they are abused.
"I want to state very clearly. I do NOT believe a woman provokes the horrible domestic abuses that are sadly such a major problem in our society," he wrote. "I wasn't trying to say that or even imply it when I was discussing my own personal upbringing and the important role the women in my family have played in my life ... I should have done a better job articulating my thoughts and I sincerely apologize."
