Stephen A. Smith Reacts To Celtics Head Coach Brad Stevens’ Promotion, Claims NBA Players Don’t Advocate For Black People’s Inclusion In High-Ranking Positions + Walks Off Set [WATCH]

Stephen A. Smith Reacts To Celtics Head Coach Brad Stevens’ Promotion, Claims NBA Players Don’t Advocate For Black People’s Inclusion In High-Ranking Positions + Walks Off Set [WATCH]

Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith had some things to say about Brad Stevens‘ promotion–and he didn’t hold back!

Yesterday (Wednesday, June 2nd), the Boston Celtics announced that head coach Brad Stevens was promoted to the team’s president of basketball operations. Soon after the announcement, Stephen A. Smith reacted and brought attention to the issue of NBA players not advocating for Black people’s consideration for high-profile NBA jobs. Smith stated:

“NBA players are some of the most powerful people in this world–when have they spoken up for Black coaches?! When?! When have they spoken up for Black executives, GMs, president[s] of basketball operations–when has that happened?! LeBron, all of them–everybody–where the hell have they been?! Nobody’s done anything!”

He continued:

“We bring it up, and you got white folks out here [sitting] up there looking at [me] and say[ing] ‘oh, here he is bringing up race.’ And none of the Black players speak up and say ‘yo, he got a point. Yo, he’s right. Yo, there’s something that needs to be done here.'”

Shortly thereafter, Stephen A. Smith brought up how the issue of high-profile sports careers being white-washed is still a problem in the NFL, even with their Rooney Rule. For context, the Rooney Rule is an affirmative action policy within the NFL that requires people of color to be considered for high-ranking positions. Stephen A. Smith claimed:

“Do y’all want me to bring up the Rooney Rule and how it might be needed in basketball? Oh, I forgot–I can’t do that! Why? Because the Rooney Rule isn’t even working in the d**n NFL. So when are we gonna say something about it?”

At this point, Smith declares that he needs to take a step back, before taking his jacket off and exiting the set. He said:

“You know what, Imma walk away. I’ll be right back. Because I’m scared I’m gonna say something that might get me in trouble. ‘Cause I’m p***ed! I’m p***ed!”

 

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