Straight Shooter

1. From Hollis to ESPN: A Journey of Perseverance and Self-Belief

"You'll be on TV. You'll be at ESPN. You're gonna be the biggest star in sports media. You're gonna be a household name. When you speak, people everywhere are gonna listen. You'll be the modern-day Howard Cosell. Just wait, you'll see."

Humble beginnings: Stephen A. Smith grew up in Hollis, Queens, in a working-class neighborhood where success stories were rare. Despite facing poverty and family challenges, he developed a passion for sports and journalism early on.

Climbing the ladder: Smith's career trajectory took him from local newspapers to the Philadelphia Inquirer, and eventually to ESPN. Along the way, he faced numerous setbacks, including being fired from ESPN in 2009, but his determination and belief in himself never wavered.

Becoming a household name: Through his unique style of debate, passionate delivery, and extensive knowledge of sports, Smith eventually became one of the most recognizable figures in sports media. His journey exemplifies the power of perseverance and self-belief in achieving seemingly impossible goals.

2. Overcoming Adversity: Dyslexia, Family Struggles, and Career Setbacks

"I got left back the first time, in third grade, a stint in summer school was enough to get me moved up in September. But my reading deficiency continued through the fourth grade, and when I bombed the comprehension test at the end of that school year, I was left back yet again, this time for the whole next year."

Early academic struggles: Smith faced significant challenges in school due to undiagnosed dyslexia, leading to him being held back twice. This experience shaped his determination to overcome obstacles and prove his worth.

Family dynamics: Growing up with an absent father and a hardworking mother, Smith learned the importance of self-reliance and perseverance. These early experiences fueled his drive to succeed and provide for his family.

Career setbacks: Throughout his career, Smith faced numerous setbacks, including:

• Being fired from ESPN in 2009
• Struggling to find work after his dismissal
• Facing criticism and controversy for his outspoken style

However, each setback only strengthened his resolve to succeed and improve his craft.

3. The Power of Mentorship and Building Relationships in Sports Media

"Relationships. It's not like with politics, where paper trails and policies and legislation provide evidence of positions and facts, even when the subjects of your stories won't talk. In sports, your information was worth shit, for the most part, unless you had actual subjects providing the intel. Directly or indirectly."

Key mentors: Throughout his career, Smith benefited from several influential mentors:

• Clarence "Big House" Gaines at Winston-Salem State University
• Acel Moore and Mike Bruton at the Philadelphia Inquirer
• Dave Roberts at ESPN

Building a network: Smith's success in sports media was largely due to his ability to cultivate relationships with athletes, coaches, and executives. These connections provided him with exclusive insights and information that set him apart from other journalists.

Paying it forward: As his career progressed, Smith became a mentor to others in the industry, recognizing the importance of guiding and supporting up-and-coming talent.

4. Navigating Controversy: Learning from Public Missteps and Criticisms

"I want to express my sincere apologies to the Asian community and the Asian American community. I am a Black man. I religiously go off about minorities being marginalized in this nation. As an African American, keenly aware of the damage stereotyping has done to many in this country, it should've elevated my sensitivities even more."

High-profile controversies: Smith faced significant backlash for comments made about:

• Domestic violence in the Ray Rice case
• Ayesha Curry and the role of athletes' spouses
• Shohei Ohtani and the use of interpreters in baseball

Learning from mistakes: Each controversy taught Smith valuable lessons about the importance of careful word choice, cultural sensitivity, and the responsibility that comes with his platform.

Growth and accountability: Smith learned to take ownership of his mistakes, issue sincere apologies, and use these experiences as opportunities for personal growth and improved understanding of complex issues.

5. The Evolution of First Take: Chemistry, Debates, and Audience Engagement

"Love us or hate us, the sports world couldn't get enough of Skip Bayless and Stephen A."

Dynamic partnerships: The success of First Take relied heavily on the chemistry between hosts:

• Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith (2012-2016)
• Max Kellerman and Stephen A. Smith (2016-2021)
• Stephen A. Smith with rotating co-hosts (2021-present)

Debate format: First Take's popularity stemmed from its ability to generate passionate, sometimes polarizing debates on current sports topics. This format kept audiences engaged and talking long after each show ended.

Adapting to change: The show's evolution demonstrates the importance of adapting to audience preferences and industry trends. Smith's willingness to push for changes, even when uncomfortable, helped maintain the show's relevance and success.

6. Balancing Personal Life and Professional Ambitions in the Spotlight

"Fatherhood is the greatest blessing I've ever received. From the moment my daughters were born, I immediately recognized that I was madly in love. That I'd never known love like this. And that every thought in my life revolved around them."

Career focus: For much of his early career, Smith prioritized his professional ambitions over his personal life, avoiding serious relationships and commitment.

Transformation through fatherhood: The birth of his daughters, Samantha and Nyla, dramatically shifted Smith's priorities and outlook on life. He found a new sense of purpose and motivation in providing for and protecting his children.

Ongoing challenges: Balancing the demands of a high-profile career with family responsibilities remains a constant struggle for Smith. He continues to navigate the complexities of being a public figure while maintaining a meaningful presence in his daughters' lives.

7. Lessons in Leadership: Adapting to Change and Fostering Team Success

"Be clear and stern in your opinions. Don't hesitate to come at me, if necessary. Give the people what they tune in for, debate, and have an absolute blast doing it."

Embracing change: Smith's leadership on First Take evolved as he recognized the need for fresh perspectives and new dynamics. He pushed for changes in the show's format and co-host lineup to maintain its success.

Empowering others: As the face of First Take, Smith learned to empower his co-hosts and contributors, encouraging them to bring their best to each debate and discussion.

Creating a positive environment: Smith fostered a culture of passionate debate while maintaining respect and camaraderie among the show's participants. This approach contributed to the show's longevity and continued success.

8. The Impact of Family: Honoring Parents and Prioritizing Children

"Janet Smith is simply the greatest woman I've ever known. She is the reason I believe in God! She's the reason I believe that there really is a heaven."

Mother's influence: Smith's mother, Janet, was a constant source of support, love, and inspiration throughout his life. Her work ethic and sacrifices motivated him to succeed and provide for his family.

Complicated relationship with father: Despite a strained relationship with his father, Smith learned valuable lessons about responsibility and the importance of being present for one's children.

Legacy and responsibility: Smith's experiences with his parents shaped his approach to fatherhood, driving him to be an active, supportive presence in his daughters' lives while also providing for their future.

9. Breaking Barriers: Representation and Responsibility in Sports Media

"White people come to work every single day with a job to do. Black folks come to work with a responsibility."

Pioneering role: As one of the most prominent Black voices in sports media, Smith recognized the responsibility he carried in representing his community and opening doors for others.

Addressing racial issues: Smith used his platform to discuss race-related topics in sports and society, often bringing perspectives that were underrepresented in mainstream media.

Mentoring and advocacy: Throughout his career, Smith made efforts to mentor and support other Black journalists and media personalities, recognizing the importance of diversity in the industry.

10. Continuous Growth: Embracing Criticism and Learning from Mistakes

"I clearly had more growing to do—I'll always have more growing to do—and so while I was denounced and embarrassed by my latest foot-in-mouth mishap, I wasn't as defensive. I didn't resent anyone for attacking me for what I'd said."

Accepting criticism: Over time, Smith learned to embrace constructive criticism and use it as a tool for personal and professional growth.

Learning from mistakes: Each controversy or setback in Smith's career provided valuable lessons that he applied to improve his craft and decision-making.

Commitment to improvement: Smith's ongoing success can be attributed to his willingness to acknowledge his shortcomings and continuously work on bettering himself as a journalist, broadcaster, and person.

Last updated: January 24, 2025