Stephen A. Smith Defends Pat McAfee for Exposing Sports Media

Stephen A. Smith, one of ESPN’s most well-known personalities, has come to the defense of fellow sportscaster Pat McAfee after he lashed out at reporters during a media day at the network’s headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut.

McAfee took the opportunity to hit back at what he saw as unfair reporting on his show and the idea that he had never been treated fairly by those who cover sports media.

“The Pat McAfee Show” has been one of the network’s flagship shows since its introduction to the daily schedule in September, but it hasn’t been without controversy.

Pat McAfee responded to reporters at ESPN media day and Stephen A. Smith came to his defense. Terrible announcement, /X

Smith, no stranger to controversy, spoke out about McAfee’s decision to defend himself on a recent edition of “The Stephen A. Smith Show.”

“Pat McAfee has obviously expressed his opinion about the coverage he’s received. I have to tell you, you can debate how he’s been presented, how he’s been presented, whatever you can do. What you can’t argue with is that he’s made some very valid points,” Smith said on his own show.

“Because people have been picking on him from day one, blaming him and trying to denigrate the show. And if he spoke out on his own behalf, I don’t blame him at all – he was right to do it. Let me tell you that.”

McAfee has regularly found himself in the headlines, most notably during his weekly interview with Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Stephen A. Smith defends Pat McAfee on his show after the ESPN personality and college football broadcaster spoke out about the report on his show. YouTube @stephenasmith

Last year, Rodgers got into a verbal spat with ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, causing some headaches for the NFL punter turned sports media personality.

McAfee reportedly had an exchange of views with CNBC’s Alex Sherman over a question about “journalistic standards.”

“I think they’re wrong,” McAfee lamented at ESPN’s media day. “I would appreciate it if you would give me and my guys a chance. I think we’re helping the sports media as a whole going forward. I think we’re going to make mistakes and we apologize for them. But any time you’re bashing us and trying to kill us, I think the ‘journalistic standards’ are certainly problematic.”