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Report: Stephen A. Smith To Sit Out A Week At ESPN
July 29, 2014 at 2:47 PM (PT)
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STEPHEN A. SMITH has been taken off the air for a week from ESPN Sports WEPN-F (ESPN NEW YORK 98.7FM)/NEW YORK and ESPN2's "FIRST TAKE" after his comments on FRIDAY's "FIRST TAKE" suggesting in the wake of the RAY RICE suspension that women should consider how they can provoke violence against themselves drew widespread criticism. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED media columnist RICHARD DEITSCH is reporting that SMITH, rumored to be moving to SIRIUSXM MAD DOG RADIO (NET NEWS 7/28), will sit out the week and return next WEDNESDAY.
SMITH was not immediately suspended after his comments, which were followed by harsh criticism from ESPN colleague MICHELLE BEADLE as well as DEADSPIN and other sites posting similar comments SMITH had made in the past and led to SMITH making an apology on MONDAY's "FIRST TAKE." In a memo to ESPN staff on TUESDAY, Pres. JOHN SKIPPER said that SMITH's "remarks did not reflect our company's point of view, or our values ... STEPHEN has called what took place 'the most egregious mistake' of his career. I believe his apology was sincere and that he and we have learned from what we've collectively experienced."

