Stephen A. Smith Responds To Josh Gordon’s Letter
It didn’t take long for Stephen A. Smith to respond to Josh Gordon‘s letter, which was published on the Cauldron Jan. 29. In the letter, Gordon rips Smith, along with Charles Barkley for speaking out about his actions for failed drug and alcohol tests without really knowing his story.
Smith is never at a loss for words, and had a mouthful of comebacks defending himself from the Browns’ suspended wideout when he appeared on The Golden Boyz, which airs on ESPN Cleveland radio. Before the interview started, Smith said he had just “literally” read the letter, but you wouldn’t know it from the near four-and-a-half minute monologue Smith delivered:
"“I’m sad for him that he said it. The fact of the matter is that his actions that got him to this point. I said what I said. I meant every word of it. When I said stay off the weed, I meant it. When I said that I’ve never seen a blunt or a piece of weed that was worth $5 million or more, I meant it. When I said the alcoholic beverages are not worth it, I meant that. Similar to his letter, I brought up the hypocrisy of the NFL, when i brought that up because they do business with beer distributors…yet they are going to tell somebody not to drink…” Feb 23, 2013; Fort Collins, CO, USA; Colorado State Rams fans hold large cut outs of ESPN television personality Stephen A. Smith (left) and Skip Bayless (right) during the game against the New Mexico Lobos at Moby Arena. The Lobos defeated the Rams 91-82. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports"
Smith continues…
"“…In the end, what Josh Gordon doesn’t realize in his letter is that he completely and unequivocally acknowledges that his actions led to that. What he’s basically getting on myself, Chris Carter, Charles Barkley and others about, is how do you care about me and you don’t even know me? And that’s really where his ignorance heightens, because what he’s not realizing is that we’re not speaking about you as an individual. We’re speaking about what you represent. You are a young African-American from the hardcore streets of Houston. You grew up poor, desolate to some degree because of your environment, your confines and what have you… as a result, you “made it out.” So for you to be blowing these kinds of opportunities, not just speaks to you, but it speaks to an abundance of individuals out in this word, particularly though, from the African-American community that could possibly find themselves in this position but somehow, someway blow it. That’s what we’re speaking about when we say we care. When we say we’re disgusted, when we say we’re disappointed and what have you…We are obviously not talking about you as an individual, we’re speaking about what you represent, what you’re emblematic of and we want you to guard against it, because you doing wrong and blowing opportunities, can inspire and influence somebody else to go down those same wrong tracks.”More from Factory of SadnessBet $1 on ANYTHING to Unlock $200 Guaranteed with Crazy Bet365 Ohio Promo!3 reasons why the Cleveland Cavaliers have a good shot to win the East next yearIt might be too soon to say it but it looks like the Cleveland Guardians are backAre the Cleveland Browns a Top 10 roster heading into the 2023 season?Eastern Conference Solidarity: Back the Heat with $5 Bet, Win $200 Bonus INSTANTLY with DraftKings Promo"
In the final paragraph, Smith really hammers Gordon for being “small-minded.”
"“But the fact that he took the liberty to write this later; very well written by the way…also at the same time heightens your level of ignorance because you’re not getting the big picture. You’re thinking small time and somebody with you talent, your gifts, and your ability, to be so small-minded, really highlights and illuminates and validates everything I said about him. I ain’t taking back a damn word. I meant every word I said. I mean it today…I stand by it. Josh Gordon knows how to reach me. Name the time and place. if you think you got an argument to make against me and the things that I said, you can get your boys, you can get your family members, you can get your inner circle…get them together, tell me when to show up. name the time and place. I’ll do it…because this man does not have an argument or a shred of weight to stand on.”"
Smith lands some haymakers, but he’s in the business of talking and being controversial.
With that in mind, what do you make of Smith’s response to Gordon’s letter?
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