ESPN host Stephen A. Smith must be taught that while you play silly video games, you win silly prizes — particularly while you trash tennis legend Serena Williams.
Smith, who’s now apparently contemplating a presidential run, blasted Williams for performing the Crip Stroll throughout Kendrick Lamar’s Tremendous Bowl halftime present earlier this 12 months. Each the 23-time Grand Slam title holder and Lamar hail from Compton — and Williams’ temporary dance was a nod to the world’s tradition, a nuance that apparently escaped Smith.
“If I’m married, and my wife is going to join trolling her ex, go back to his ass,” Smith stated throughout a February phase of ESPN’s “First Take” podcast.
He was alluding to Williams’ temporary relationship with rapper Drake, who has had a longstanding feud with Lamar.
Smith obtained pushback for his feedback on the time, and months after the efficiency, Williams shared her personal response to them.
Kevin Mazur by way of Getty Pictures
“I thought it was hilarious,” Williams instructed Time in an interview printed on Wednesday. “He’s allowed to have his personal opinion. But did you see my husband’s remark? It was so eloquent.”
She was referring to her husband, Alexis Ohanian, who delivered a viral touch upon X, previously Twitter.
“Some of y’all have no idea how criticized Serena was for this same dance at Wimbledon 13 years ago and it shows,” Ohanian wrote on Feb. 10. “This is bigger than the music.”
After the efficiency, Williams addressed the commentary on X like a champion:
“I think I proved 23 times over (not counting 4 gold medals) that I simply don’t have time for petty. All love and respect always nothing negative here,” she wrote.
