Stephen A. Smith knows how to stir the pot. But this week, he may have gone a step too far, and now he’s trying to walk it back.
On Tuesday’s episode of First Take, Smith tackled the Memphis Grizzlies’ struggle to attract top-tier free agents. Instead of pointing to roster issues or front office moves, he went after the city itself.
“There’s an element there where cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel like it’s the safest environment,” Smith said.
He followed that up by calling on Memphis authorities to “clean some of that stuff up.” That didn’t sit well, not with the players, the fans, or the residents of Memphis.
Half-Step Back And A Whole Lot Of Backlash
Smith returned on Wednesday to clarify his remarks. He called Memphis a “great sports town” with “great fans” and said he never meant disrespecting its people. But he didn’t budge on the core of his claim. “I apologize if anybody was offended by it,” he said. “But facts are facts.” He then cited the FBI, noting that the agency had referred to Memphis as “the murder capital of this country per capita.”
Stephen A. Smith – "The citizens in Memphis, I think a lot better can be done for them…I apologize if anybody was offended by it. But facts are facts."
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 18, 2025
Brian Windhorst – "Well, focusing on the basketball…" https://t.co/rfl8hnLFL8 pic.twitter.com/g7Juregxwf
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That wasn’t the kind of apology many were hoping for. Instead of smoothing things over, Smith doubled down, and the reaction came quickly. Fans blasted him across social media for sounding less like a sports analyst and more like someone polishing a campaign speech.
“Man wants to be a politician instead of an analyst. ESPN needs to move on man,” one user posted.
Man wants to be a politician instead of an analyst. ESPN needs to move on man.
— Frieza’s Burner (@King_Cold_Son) June 18, 2025
Another chimed in, “Yes, Memphis is a bad city, we all know this. But it shouldn’t be talked about on First Take.”
Yes, Memphis is a bad city, we all know this. But it shouldn't be talked about on First Take.
— LowkeySportsizRight (@LowkeyRealm) June 18, 2025
One more called out his style directly: “Stephen A. Smith calling out crime statistics so he can sound president-worthy. The gift that keeps on giving. Didn’t think SAS could become more of a box scores watcher.”
Stephen A Smith calling out crime statistics so he can sound president-worthy. The gift that keeps on giving. Didn't think SAS could become more of a box scores watcher
— Frederick Okocha (@F_rederic_k) June 18, 2025
Smith’s comments may have come from a place of concern, but to many, they felt more like a slap in the face to a city fighting hard to improve. He tried to smooth things over, but it’s clear Memphis isn’t ready to forgive, especially when the apology comes with a big asterisk. For now, it’s safe to say Smith won’t be receiving a hero’s welcome in western Tennessee anytime soon.
