‘For once, stop your BS’ warns Stephen A. Smith as he snaps at ex-NFL receiver Dez Bryant and defends Shannon Sharpe
ESPN star Stephen A. Smith has hit back at former NFL wideout Dez Bryant in a wild social media exchange.
Ex-Dallas Cowboys star Bryant claimed Stephen A. and his First Take colleague Shannon Sharpe haven’t lavished enough “praise” on WNBA rookie Angel Reese.
GettyStephen A. Smith is embroiled in social media beef with ex-NFL star Dez Bryant[/caption]
The former Dallas Cowboys wideout criticized Smith for his coverage of WNBA star Angel ReeseGetty Images - Getty
Twitter @TheDunkCentralBryant also called out Shannon Sharpe in a late-night tweet[/caption]
Bryant took to X following the Chicago Sky star’s superb performance in Sunday’s 88-87 win over the Indiana Fever.
Reese dropped a career-high 25 points and collected 16 rebounds as she finally got the better of rival Caitlin Clark.
“I don’t see much praise on the historic rookie run Angel Reese is having in her rookie year,” Bryant wrote on X, tagging in Stephen A.
“@stephenasmith @ShannonSharpe where y’all at? She deserves the high praise right now!”
“Man, for once, will you stop your B.S.,” Smith retorted from his own account.
“@ShannonSharpe has praised her continuously. So have I, even profiling her excellence on numerous occasions.
“It’s on our social media pages. We’ve talked about her on @FirstTake.
“If you want notoriety, just say so, bro!
“You need attention? Just ask to come on the damn show. But stop lying!”
“Don’t ever in your life play with me talking about notoriety,” Bryant fired back.
“I don’t give a f*** about none of that.
“Don’t get mad at me because I’m calling spade a spade. Y’all pick and choose end of story.”
Following Bryant’s reply, Smith stepped away and did not respond as of Monday morning.
It’s not the first time Stephen A. and Bryant have been engaged in online beef.
Last fall, Smith defended colleague Malika Andrews over a tweet from Bryant, per Yahoo Sports.
'Who talks more about the WNBA?'
Stephen A. Smith had a run in with Monica McNutt on First Take about women's basketball this week.
Smith said that he didn’t like how he needed to “watch every syllable” when talking about the WNBA, but McNutt wasn’t happy with his statement.
“Welcome to the world of being a woman, Stephen A,” she said.
“How you have to dance about your word choice and how you have to please everybody and anybody as you navigate your being.”
Stephen A. gave a comment that really fired McNutt up.
“Who talks more about the WNBA, who talks about women’s sports more than First Take?” Stephen A. said.
McNutt clearly was irked by his question and set the record straight on live TV.
“Stephen A., respectfully, with your platform, you could have been doing this three years ago if you wanted to,” McNutt said.
Molly Qerim and Shannon Sharpe both looked stunned, and Qerim tried to get the show to a commercial break, but the awkward moment continued.
After Stephen A. muttered “wow,” McNutt gave him a reassurance that she thinks he could have done more.
“You’re my guy,” McNutt said.
“But I’m talking to you.”
“You’re my girl,” Smith replied.
“But you’ve missed a lot of episodes of First Take.”
Bryant was a first-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and played ten seasons in the league.
He spent the majority of his career with the Cowboys and appeared in three Pro Bowls.
It was reported earlier this month Smith is negotiating a new multi-year contract extension with ESPN.
His current deal is set to expire at the end of 2025.
Stephen A. appears every weekday on First Take and is on the panel of NBA Countdown.
He has been with the network since 2003 and has worked in numerous roles, including hosting his own show.
Smith’s contract with ESPN expires next year, with the broadcast giants “working hard to re-sign him,” per Puck.news.
“ESPN made its initial offer of $18 million per year for five years last week,” the report claims.
APAngel Reese scored 25 points as the Chicago Sky beat the Indiana Fever on Sunday[/caption]
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