Stephen A. Smith has taken plenty of criticism for his stance on Colin Kaepernick following the free agent quarterback's workout on Saturday. The latest critique comes from former NFL receiver Tress Way Jerseys Terrell Owens, who joined the "First Take" crew on Thursday to share his thoughts on the situation.
However, Owens "cro sed a line," according to Smith, when he said, "Max Kellerman almost seems blacker than you, Stephen A."
Terrell Owens: "Max Kellerman almost seems blacker than you, Stephen A. Smith ."
Jordan Heck (@JordanHeckFF)
Smith has been involved in a nearly a week-long debate about Kaepernick's workout, both on social media and on the ESPN show. His first comments on the situation came Saturday, after Kaepernick had Clinton Portis Jerseys in front of NFL teams.
Smith posted a video with the social copy, "He doesn't want to play." The video, which has gathered over five million views on the social media platform, opened Smith up to criticism.
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He doesn't want to play.
Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith)
The ESPN analyst continued to discu s the i sue throughout the week on "First Take," and was challenged by Kellerman during one episode.
Kellerman said, in part:
"What am I Shaka Toney Jerseys to do with my privilege as a white man and as a person on TV with an enormous platform? Which, by the way, I benefit from the platform that you (Stephen A.) built primarily. What am I to do with that power? Right? Am I to support the power structure that, where injustice is ongoing, or should I speak truth to power using that privilege and that platform?
"When you say things like, Colin Kaepernick, who are you as a black man and now youre given this opportunity who are you to ask questions about who the receivers are gonna be? Why its last minute? OK, you may be right. People may be right. Like, Colin, its not going to be perfect. Youre asking them for a job. Its not gonna be perfect. However, you know who I am? Im Kamren Curl Jerseys a member of the media who will ask that question.
"Why was the workout arranged in this way? Why was there an ultimatum with 48 hours to accept? Why was the waiver not the standard waiver? Why only on that day? Why werent cameras allowed in? Why hasnt he been working for three years? I will ask those questions, and I will Washington Commanders Accessories also say while you can focus on the world we actually live in where you wear a Kunta Kinte shirt, the white billionaires arent going to like it. I am going to talk about the world we ought to live in. And bring pre sure to bear that sooner than later we do live in world where so the hell what someone shows up with a Kunta Kinte shirt.'"
. wants to take a moment to addre s Stephen A Washington Commanders Hoodies Sweatshirts .'s comments on Colin Kaepernick.
First Take (@FirstTake)
As all of this unfolded, Smith continued to take in criticism from social media. He eventually received so much negative feedback that he felt he needed to point out, "Im a black man, you idiots!"
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Here's Smith's full quote from that taping:
"When I sit up there, and I sat here yesterday, and I spoke about how his points are eradicated, Im not talking about the kneeling. Im not talking about the protesting. Im a black man, you idiots! You think I have a problem with a man that is kneeling and protesting racial oppre sion and police brutality? Do you know anything about my history in 25 years in this damn busine s? From The New York Daily News to the Philadelphia Inquirer to CNN to Fox to ESPN. Do you have any idea about my damn background Kendall Fuller Jerseys and the fights that I have taken on the behalf of African Americans throughout this nations history? Do you have any idea who the hell you are talking about?
Listen to this, Damnit!
Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith)
All of this leads to Thursday's episode of "First Take" and Owen's comments. Chase Roullier Jerseys The full conversation is too long to get into within a single article, as Owens, Smith and Kellerman discu sed the i sue for nearly 12 minutes. But we'll addre s the aftermath of Owens' remark about Kellerman being "blacker" than Smith.
The tenured ESPN reporter did not appreciate that comment, and let Owens know immediately after.
"Time out, with all due respect my brother, I'm going to check you right now. You done cro sed a line," Smith said. "First of all, like I said, you, Colin Kaepernick, Eric Reid, any of y'all that want to debate me in front of black people and talk about what Terry McLaurin Jerseys 's best for black people, name the time and place, I'll show up. What's the definition of blackne s? Is there a definitive definition of blackne s? Why are you giving the impre sion that because I don't march (in) lockstep with every single thing that Colin Kaepernick wants ..."
At this point, Owens interrupted Smith's thoughts, but the analyst continued with a similar conversation.
"You just sat up there and used an expre sion, 'more blacker.' Excuse me, I'm fromHollis Queens, New York City. You ain't the only brother out there that's in the streets. I'm in the streets every day. And you damn well know that's the truth. I'm not going to disrespect you, I'm not going to go that route."
Owens later claimed Charley Taylor Jerseys he meant "no disrespect" with the comment and instead said it was "tongue in cheek."
The segment ended shortly after as the show had to go to commercial break.