The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is one of the most important organizations representing Black journalists and media professionals. So, being publicly called out by the group is no small matter, especially for someone as well-known in sports media as Stephen A. Smith.
The ESPN analyst has now made it clear that he did not plan to stay quiet after receiving a “Thumbs Down” from the organization.
Stephen A. Smith’s Response to the “Thumbs Down” by NABJ
Smith was called out during the NABJ’s annual convention in Atlanta on Saturday. The organization gave him its “Thumbs Down” award, saying his public comments have shown what it described as a repeated pattern of disparaging prominent Black women across sports, politics, and media.
“Smith has established a recurring public pattern of disparaging commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports, and media.”
“Such commentary reinforces harmful narratives, undermines the fair and respectful representation of Black women in public discourse, and stands in direct conflict with NABJ’s longstanding commitment to accurate, responsible, and inclusive portrayals of Black communities,” a narrator said on a video played at the convention.
The National Association of Black Journalists gives Stephen A. Smith the “Thumbs Down” award for his “recurring public pattern of disparaging public commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports and media.” pic.twitter.com/2goiWxfrlN
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 16, 2026
Smith did not take long to respond. He recently took to X and reshared a post about the NABJ’s decision. He also added his own message that made his feelings pretty clear.
“This is the epitome of Christmas arriving early. The @NABJ wants to call folks out, fine! You had your turn, now mine is coming. And make no mistake….. I’m coming. Let’s see who REALLY deserves a Thumbs Down award when it comes to the Black Community, after I say my peace! Remember @NABJ, you asked for it. I’ve shut my mouth for years. Now y’all started something,” Smith wrote on X.
This is the epitome of Christmas arriving early. The @NABJ wants to call folks out, fine! You had your turn, now mine is coming. And make no mistake…..,I’m coming. Let’s see who REALLY deserves a Thumbs Down award when it comes to the Black Community, afterI say my peace!… https://t.co/ccE03ksAO1
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) August 16, 2026
This isn’t the first time Smith has found himself in hot water over comments involving Black women.
Back in April, during a segment on ESPN’s “First Take,” co-host Chiney Ogwumike opened things up by sharing her take on Nikola Jokić’s playoff dominance. She did it entirely in French, to show off her lighthearted skill.
When it was Smith’s turn to jump in, he veered off with a comment that a lot of people found out of line.
“I’ve never dated a woman from France, but after hearing Chiney (speak French), I was like, what have I been missing? That verbiage right there, that kinda turned me on,” Smith said during that segment.
Then there was the 2024 clash with Monica McNutt on First Take, which many still bring up today. The two got into it over how women’s sports, specifically Caitlin Clark and the WNBA, get covered in the media.
Smith pushed back by asking who covers women’s sports more than First Take does. McNutt didn’t back down, telling him that with the platform he has, he could’ve been giving that coverage years before it became trendy.
The exchange got heated on air, and afterward, Smith took to his own podcast to call her comments “highly offensive.”
“Now, I have sat back for years and taken a lot of (expletive) from people. Some who don’t know what the hell they’re talking about. Some who act like they don’t know because they want to get at me.”
“I could care less about people getting at me. I just want you to be accurate. And it is highly offensive to me when somebody implies or flat-out states — like Monica McNutt did — which was factually incorrect. I challenge anybody to find a show in sports television that discusses women’s issues, that discusses the WNBA or women’s sports, that highlights and profiles female analysts more than First Take,” Smith said in his podcast.
A lot of viewers saw it differently, though. To them, it looked like a Black female colleague had simply held him accountable, and he didn’t take it well.
Now, after the NABJ’s recent comment, Smith appears ready to revisit the larger issue. His response suggests this may not be the end of the conversation.
