ESPN star Stephen A. Smith responded to former NFL player Dez Bryant in a wild exchange on social media.
Former Dallas Cowboys star Bryant claimed that Stephen A. and his First Take colleague Shannon Sharpe did not lavish enough “praise” on WNBA rookie Angel Reese.
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Bryant went to the X following the Chicago Sky star’s stellar performance in Sunday’s 88-87 win over the Indiana Fever.
Reese scored a career-high 25 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as she finally got the better of rival Caitlin Clark.
“I don’t see much praise for the historic rookie run that Angel Reese is having in his rookie year,” Bryant wrote on X, tagging Stephen A.
“@stephenasmith @ShannonSharpe where are you guys? She deserves so much praise right now!”
“Dude, for once, you can stop with your bullshit,” Smith retorted of your own account.
“@ShannonSharpe has continually praised her. So have I, even profiling her excellence on several occasions.
“It’s on our social media pages. We talk about it on @FirstTake.
“If you want notoriety, just say so, bro!
“Do you need attention? Just ask to be on the damn show. But stop lying!”
“Never in your life joke with me about notoriety,” Bryant shot back.
“I don’t give a shit about any of that.
“Don’t be mad at me because I’m calling things by their names. You choose the ending of the story.”
After Bryant’s response, Smith walked away and did not respond Monday morning.
This is not the first time that Stephen A. and Bryant have been involved in online fights.
Last fall, Smith defended colleague Malika Andrews over a tweet from Bryant, for Yahoo Sports.
‘Who talks about the WNBA the most?’
Stephen A. Smith had a disagreement with Monica McNutt on First Take about women’s basketball this week.
Smith said she didn’t like how she had to “watch every syllable” when talking about the WNBA, but McNutt wasn’t happy with her statement.
“Welcome to the world of being a woman, Stephen A,” she said.
“How you have to dance about your choice of words and how you have to please everyone as you navigate your being.”
Stephen A. made a comment that really excited McNutt.
“Who talks more about the WNBA, who talks more about women’s sports than First Take?” Stephen A. said.
McNutt was clearly irritated by her question and set the record straight on live TV.
“Stephen A., respectfully, with your platform, you could have been doing this three years ago if you wanted,” McNutt said.
Molly Qerim and Shannon Sharpe looked stunned, and Qerim tried to take the show to a commercial break, but the awkward moment continued.
After Stephen A. muttered “wow,” McNutt assured him that he thought he could have done more.
“You’re my guy,” McNutt said.
“But I’m talking to you.”
“You’re my girl,” Smith replied.
“But you missed too many episodes of First Take.”
Bryant was drafted in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft and played ten seasons in the league.
He spent most of his career with the Cowboys and appeared in three Pro Bowls.
It was reported earlier this month that Smith is negotiating a new multi-year contract extension with ESPN.
His current contract is set to expire at the end of 2025.
Stephen A. appears every weekday on First Take and is on the NBA Countdown panel.
He has been with the network since 2003 and has worked in a variety of roles, including hosting his own show.
Smith’s contract with ESPN expires next year, with the broadcast giants “working hard to re-sign him,” per Puck.news.
“ESPN made its initial offer of $18 million per year for five years last week,” the report states.
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