Note to Stephen A. Smith: When the red light is on, watch your words.
On Thursday, the ESPN correspondent found himself in hot water after a segment on First Take where he seems to utter the word “nigga.” While discussing Kobe Bryant‘s foot injury, Smith mocked the thought of the NBA champion missing the Lakers’ season opener against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.
“Opening night. Kobe Bryant is going to miss it because, ‘my foot is sprained?” he joked. Many viewers heard his next statement as, “Are you crazy, nigga please.”
Later on ESPN, Smith sat in front of cameras to deny any claims of using the racial slur.
“There have been numerous reports out there that I uttered the word I should not have uttered [...] I did not do so.” he said. “I’m a New Yorker. I speak very very fastly, and sometimes my words are misconstrued and I get that.”
Smith went on to say if he ever did say “the word,” he would immediately apologize to viewers and the network.
You be the judge…
