Stephen A. Smith sparks ugly spat with former ESPN star after his controversial ICE killing take
Stephen A. Smith has taken aim at former ESPN analyst Keith Olbermann as he goes on the attack after his controversial take on the horrifying Minnesota ICE killings this week.
Current ESPN star Smith released a follow-up video on Friday to his Wednesday take where he said the ICE officer that shot Renee Good three times in the head was 'completely justified' in his actions from a legal standpoint.
On Friday, Smith underlined his stance on the humanitarian aspect of Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, losing her life in an incident that has polarized the United States.
But OIbermann went after Smith following his midweek video, calling on his former employer to fire Smith.
'BTW speaking for a lot of people who actually built the place - it's time for ESPN to fire Stephen A. Smith,' Olbermann wrote. 'He is now damaging the brand in a way his on-air cartoon character could never approach.'
Smith did not let that comment pass on Friday after he had clarified his position on Good's death.
Stephen A. Smith has ignited an angry feud with former ESPN analyst Keith Olbermann
Olbermann said that ESPN should fire Smith for his take on the ICE Minnesota shooting
Olbermann claimed that some of his former ESPN colleagues want Smith to lose his job
'I want to say this about Keith Olbermann. I’m sick of your pathetic ass. I really, really am,; Smith said. 'You’re a 66-year-old barely with any friends. Who the hell knows what’s going on in your life.
'And all you do is sit back, and the second you disagree with somebody, you pop s***. You, of all people! You! You! Keith Olbermann! Literally trying to get me fired?
‘"It’s time for ESPN to fire Stephen A. He’s hurting the brand. He’s bad. He’s damaging the brand." What?'
Smith continued: 'Who looks more like a cartoon character than you? Keith Olbermann, you can’t run five feet with your fat self. And I’m not talking about fat people. I’m talking about Keith Olbermann. You can’t run five feet. Y
'You’ve been walking around with a cane, exercising melodrama every chance you get. All you do is make enemies. You napalm bridges all the time, including ESPN, and you got the nerve to talk about me.
'I want y’all to know, ladies and gentlemen, I’ve been in this business since 1994. I have never uttered a negative syllable about Keith Olbermann. Ever! Ever! Keith Olbermann is one of the greatest talents we have ever had in sports television, if not television overall.
'An unbelievably, exceptionally gifted writer and commentator who is nothing short of exceptional at what he does. So why does he have to resort to being seen on YouTube and barely anywhere else? Because nobody wants him. Because he’s a raw pain in the ass. That’s why.'
The likelihood of Smith getting fired by ESPN would appear extremely low, given he signed a five-year, $100m contract last year.
