Howard Bryant and Dan Le Batard On Stephen A. Smith's Comments On Shohei Ohtani & Team Nigeria

Meadowlark Media's Howard Bryant joined The Dan Le Batard Show With Stugotz to discuss his reaction to comments Stephen A Smith made about Shohei Ohtani and the Nigerian men's basketball team.
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[@sebastiangonzalez9022]

I love how direct and to the point Howard Bryant is. No rambling and no filling space with nonsense. Literally the exact opposite of Stephen A.

[@Bman32x]

That’s what’s refreshing about the break from ESPN. No favoring conservative feelings, no nuance. Just get to the point.

[@DennardC_27]

He's definitely a real one.

[@Eyegetdeep]

they have two different jobs. apples and oranges

[@williamcarter9066]

Sebastian Gonzalez When integrity its more that just a word that's why so many flock to the Howard Bryant's of the world because you can feel his integrity, an integrity to the republican party its no different than drinking rat poison ...

[@johancorrales6537]

Nowadays entertainment >substance

[@alex39k]

Bravo Howard Bryant. Mad props to you. Everything you said is intelligent, eloquent, and 100% well spoken and true.

[@slbyun]

Howard Bryant is the only person in the media I've heard being honest and thoughtful about SAS and not cowering. Respect.

[@tacomeat]

outside kwame

[@pittkid32]

He is a hack just like the rest when he says stupid shit like "English speakers refuse to speak other languages. " That is complete ignorance!!

[@ismailmohamud12]

@@pittkid32 you are all knowing.

[@tomstorm7926]

@@brown_xkmd486 lol

[@wrasslin4552]

@@pittkid32 he should have said most Americans.

[@MichaelBrown-ti1un]

"Media and journalism aren't close to the same thing," -- Howard Bryant. That's a bar right there 🔥 🔥 🔥

[@sportsfan120577]

Ras Kass vibes

[@Timoteo4]

Yep. I say this all the time. Journalism is about researching and seeking facts. Media is just entertainment, and more and more, media companies (who now own news/journalism divisions) push aside journalists more and more. Now they just want personalities.

[@keithknox5829]

Kwame got everybody shook over here, so I guess some (like SAS) are taking their clown act on the road!!! Shameful...

[@hannibal090]

Dropping some American in a foreign country, play a sport well AND learn to speak the language of that country says a lot about that particular American. To have that person be Stephon Marbury is such a great accomplishment that it’s above most folks head. I’m talking about Starbury here!! That’s just an amazing accomplishment!!!

[@duosing]

What about John Cena?

[@mackinshizzaveli4202]

@@duosing We can’t see him

[@stbcurt4250]

@@mackinshizzaveli4202 super underrated comment lol

[@christophersuswal9544]

John Cena learning a new language? Word life baby!

[@TehStormOG]

same thing with Christian Pulisic

[@smash7108]

How is it possible that ESPN couldn't see the brilliance of these guys?????

[@SMW34]

Probably because ESPN doesn't want brilliance; they want hot-button.

[@tacomeat]

they want clowns like stephen a.

[@joshuarodriguez2850]

Sean M. Webb because they spoke their minds a lot and if it doesn’t fit espns views they’ll get rid of you

[@azizmooshoolov8922]

@@SMW34 Exactly

[@littlesame]

ESPN is McDonald, fast food chain, a few qualities left

[@Kitu74]

Howard is underrated. Very good journalist

[@djnkosi]

the GREAT howard bryant. respect. ✊🏽

[@Fernando-mv9pv]

Respect to Bryant and keeping it real. Really refreshing.

[@Queen5F1n5t]

Dan I know your probably not gonna see this man but long time supporter of the show and the content lately has jus been super fire man respect brother 💯

[@Y0utub3me]

Great guest. Dude is incredibly insightful and hit it right on the money 💯

[@A_O_Leary]

The amount of sports broadcasters that still haven’t learned how to say Antetokounmpo (I know it’s modified to Greek spelling/pronunciation from the original Nigerian) or Adebayo is ridiculous.

[@tacomeat]

lazy americans

[@peters4115]

And they have the audacity to tell other people to speak English lol

[@bybd]

@Peter, furthermore, Americans don’t even speak ENGLISH. I had to relearn “English” as a Brit coming to the US LOL

[@peters4115]

@@bybd You will often find that the Americans most adamant about you speaking English, are the ones that pronounce it the worst.

[@AlCasu1888]

Never heard an american pronounce Donal correctly. Probably have about 3 0r 4 goes at Aisling too.

[@CEE80]

What SAS expressed is far too common in this country, it’s “American Arrogance” is what I like to call it. You look at people from Europe, Asia, Africa; they’re usually multi-lingual and can speak them fluently. Americans will travel to other countries and get pissed they don’t speak English but will refuse to learn other languages. (For a reference) Kobe grew up in Italy and he was fluent in English and Italian, he was also fluent in Spanish and Portuguese as well, and was learning Mandarin & Slovenian so he could speak to Luka lol. 🐐

[@agny369]

im not xenophobic at all, i heard the second thing stephen a said, I'm not sure what he said that was so wrong, and I guess he should have just apologized and shut up. The second statement just seemed like an objective statement about why it wont specifically help the MLB economically. I think people are just way too sensitive in general, but they make a good point in this video about the dumbing down of journalism in America, combined with the dumbing down of the media literacy of the people that live here. People refuse to improve themselves in this country in all sorts of ways, and while i generally agree with alot of people on the left, the obsession with calling people out over twitter is a problem. Theres just a huge lack of self awareness in this country and a widespread inability to be introspective and less judgemental, on all sides. No one seeks to understand people they disagree with anymore, they just attack and close their minds off. Twitter and facebook have a ton to do with it, if twitter disappeared off the planet tomorrow, we'd be immediately better off.

[@johnjames502]

Europians Asians and Africans not fluently multilingual in general. You just watch too much TV.

[@CEE80]

@@johnjames502 I know, it’s not like there’s millions of Africans who speak their native language along with French because their country was colonized by France, 94% of EU students learn english. Eu students are more likely to study multiple languages. Americans will fly to another country and get mad they don’t speak english- while ppl from other countries will learn other languages so they can travel.

[@johnjames502]

@@CEE80 Again, you clearly watch too much tv.

[@n3rds3y3vi3w]

it's just trendy to hate on americans. in reality, the usa is the most diverse country on the planet. just watch the olympics and you'll notice most countries teams are all people of one ethnicity, that's never the case with the american teams. i find it hilarious when people talk as if the usa has tolerance issues when countries like china literally have over a million muslims living in "re-education camps".

[@onncga]

To add to Howard's excellent point about how World War 2 is taught in the United States; I'm a proud Canadian who went to high school in SW Georgia and in my world history class there was a map of the the beaches of D-Day and for Juno Beach there was a British flag instead of a Canadian flag.

[@marauder247]

Because the Canadians came ashore under British command. Canadian troops weren’t under Canadian army command under July.

[@keithknox5829]

Howard Bryant should be an ESPN host. But, no, that wouldn't work. He is too intelligent, too articulate, and not into punchlines and trash talk. Keep up the great work Howard. Glad to see you're still somewhere!!!

[@PRBoricua23]

Love Howard Bryant.

[@MrWatchowtnow]

Did you l9ve it when he beat his wife? Or got caught fabricating stories?

[@PRBoricua23]

@@MrWatchowtnow shut up

[@surcentro2134]

Thank you Mr. Bryant for your take on this

[@Jennifer_Elliott]

Excellent interview!!!!

[@zoe_zucci]

I hope you guys put espn out of business.

[@youngprophet5138]

It’s going to happen soon enough I’d rather to listen to all these guys podcast instead of listening to Stephen A yell on espn

[@headlampsrmylife9451]

Howard Bryant always an interesting interview

[@markzelunka7013]

there's nothing interesting when you're woke. you know the answer before you even hear the question.

[@michaelconti7431]

first time viewer Howard is excellent. Follow from me for sure. Hope this show blows up and people stop watching espn.

[@INKovari]

Love the heavy carmex layered on Bryant’s lips.

[@spcfl1461]

That’s funny af lol

[@wmw1239]

Howard Bryant was great

[@Tweezer_Phish]

Everything about this whole operation is brilliant. Always was. Does anyone know what they do with the live youtube shows? I am having trouble listening live daily

[@daledoback2184]

No

[@antront1158]

Miss you on HQ Dan !!!

[@antront1158]

And Pops

[@ANOblkstrMALY]

Stephen A. Smith himself. He forgets his ancestry. He forgets where Black people came from. He forgets that he is covering Sports and too must be a good Sportsman. He forgets himself a LOT when he is speaking. He forgets that if man acts in a disrespectful way all the time in time man himself is only filled with disrespect as his main attribute.

[@duvalgirl6541]

Precisely!

[@illxander]

I hear this man on Bomani all the time and have never seen his face until now 😂.

[@antront1158]

The winners of a war or battle always tell their version of " History".

[@chuckrambo4401]

And I guess they say they won? How crazy is that!!! Lmao Democrats are not very smart

[@sikwon75]

Dan start wearing some Miami hurricane hats. Represent for the U. I’m sure your reach will help with recruiting.

[@Sinnerswing]

Stephan A. smith has been force to go on his apologies tour.

[@johncapo2843]

humility = smarts

[@bojokowski]

I tried so hard to be offended or at least to be offended on behalf of some else but just still found it more funny than offending. Next time I will try harder

[@jasonsportslee]

I just made a video about this from an Asian Sports journalist perspective. I think in the long-term this will be good for Asians.

[@bradthomas7431]

Till the find out about Wuhan lab.

[@Gcode609]

Had best show on ESPN radio 📻 smh hands down...🤔💯

[@MikeySkywalker]

7:51 He says you have to learn their language after saying no one should have to learn any other language to fit in. I agree with everything he said except that.

[@raekwonw359]

I have no idea how that can be seen as incorrect.

[@radamrussell]

It's more about culture and race and the biased mind --- and frustration, in this case, than the language barrier. When I watch the UFC and 3/4 of the post-fight interviews are in Japanese or Portuguese or Spanish or Dagestani, the viewing public doesn't care about the extra step of interpretation. The fighters know the marketing value of speaking English and also to addressing their home fans. A lot of the frustration I think comes from a reporter's standpoint - not being able to communicate directly and to some degree possibly the worry of something being lost in translation. We wish we could speak their language and maybe they wish they could speak our language. But the comments were based on bigotry and self-centeredness if we're gonna call it what it is at the core. But from my perspective we ALL have these internal biases that don't think sometimes before our mouth opens, that is always running on our personal perspective and not in consideration of the person we are addressing, asking a question, etc...so it shouldn't be offensive UNLESS it is meant to offend....and even then we've got to get used to addressing these as the speakers problem, not the (air quote) victim's. It's Stephen A's problem that he said the thing out loud. He has to live with whatever is going on in his mind and spirit and heart. He apologized, but he's still capable of saying something as stupid or (air quotes again - insensitive - because I didn't think it was that big of a deal in its context because ultimately he wanted Ohtani to be marketed to the max in the US, or that's the way I feel anyway). The Rooney thing was a step up and just the World is Changing Around Me and I Don't Like It Old Man talk....maybe I am naive to the power someone like Rooney's words have, as far as inspiring others who think similarly, but I think we've all got to understand that not allowing stupidity to overpower us personally and have space in our minds to ruin our days is the only way forward. Because I guarantee Ohtani didn't give two shits about what Stephen A said - until he's being hounded about it and having to answer stupid questions in English and Japanese.

[@nantrax143]

I find this conversation interesting. In hockey, basketball there are many international players and English isn't a problem. However it's an issue in baseball. Why?

[@stevenvox6549]

Stephen A. is a shouter and a shock jock-not up to ESPN standards. It's time for him to go. He's repulsive.

[@seanbates282]

Unfortunately Steven he's become the standard at ESPN Stephen A. Smith a company man

[@captainkirk9879]

...AND THE FOOT IN MOUTH AWARD GOES TO ...STEPHEN.A.SMITH.🥳🥳🙉🙈🙊👏👏

[@cindymmm11]

Exactly

[@stevengrvp]

howard hit on it this has been talked about for years and no one cared until stephen a sais something

[@davidhogenmiller248]

Bill Burr has this great routine about Arnold that challenges you to imagine moving to Austria, becoming a champion at a sport, an entertainment icon in their language, marry into their royalty, and get elected to run a portion of their government. And then get teased about your accent. Stephen A is getting hammered a bit hard because we all suck at being human just a little more than we realize.

[@segagenesis7708]

I saw that standup.

[@rkid727]

I’m used to our athletes not being able to speak English. 😁

[@stringer2295]

🤦🏾‍♂️

[@junior-corradosoprano9435]

We the people are not the problem. SAS and ESPN is the problem. Thank you very much. Every1 shud be responsible for their actions. Stop saying we we we we. What u got a mouse in ur pocket

[@chrisbutler9974]

Sometimes fanbase is bad Too

[@junior-corradosoprano9435]

@@chrisbutler9974 yes chris I wud agree. Good observation. But this is all on SAS and ESPN. The way they talked they tried to transfer it on the people. Btw I went to Butler in Indianapolis 94 to 96. Great name. Long live the butler bulldogs

[@chrisbutler9974]

@@junior-corradosoprano9435 in my opinion Baseball is a going downhill 1990 - 2006 was the gold age of baseball

[@kahlbutomacfarland]

Stephen A is a proud “sellout”. There’s a far more accurate and less kind term that predates “sellout” that I won’t use but need to allude to. But SAS is proud to be such. He isn’t right, left etc, he’s a capitalist, end of story. He really has no more depth beyond that. ALL is justified in the pursuit of wealth. Every take he’s ever had boils down to that simpleton perspective. It plays right into the hands of the master class, and he’s proud to do so and guilt those that don’t while being delusional enough to believe he also has the moral high ground.

[@JD-ny3vz]

10000% correct

[@raekwonw359]

Huh? That doesn’t make much sense. Giving ones opinion doesn’t make him a capitalist and wouldn’t a sell- out NOT be honest and keep to the vest to appease to his bosses?

[@kahlbutomacfarland]

@@raekwonw359 yes, hence the Boeing apologies. His entire point here is that baseball has a problem because foreign stars being the face of it will adversely effect the sport’s wallet. So once again his focus is on profits over anything else. He cannot even fathom how or why anyone would consider any other take. And all of his takes boil down to that “Do what you have to do to get that paper”, nothing means more than that.

[@arminwoods8495]

Its funny black people call sas a sellout and white people say he always brings up race. I've heard him say numerous times there should be more black coaches and executives in football and basketball. He has talked about white privilege for example Steve Nash getting to Coach the nets and got hammered for that. People once called MLK a sellout now he is beloved. You can have varying opinions as a black man and not be a sell out

[@JD-ny3vz]

@@arminwoods8495 People criticized MLK for not being radical enough and for his mom violence it's not the same thing as SAS. SAS, brings up those topics about black coaches and shit to appeal to other black people and make it seem like he's not a sellout. He may not even be conscious of it but a lot of his views are counter to black unity and progress. We can have differing opinions as black people, but when your views coincide with white supremacists or goes against black unity your a sellout whether you mean it or not.

[@dustinwroten353]

I get what SAS said but just use the eye test. The whole world loves him and no one (except SAS) thinks his language is an issue. Hell, even his interpreter is amassing a cult-like fan base. People cant get enough of the Ohtaniverse

[@joeterzio7175]

Besides what he can do for my fantasy team, I have no real interest in Ohtani much less his interpreter. Baseball players in general aren't very interesting.

[@agny369]

that's kind of the problem with this "hot take" culture we live in. There's no room to mess up, and the pile on of public shaming over every single little thing is just over the top. Combine that with deranged people who believe wild conspiracy theories and mass distrust of the mainstream media, and then online information feedback loops where peoples biases are confirmed, and you have the Divided States of America. It's insanity. Twitter and facebook need to die

[@dustinwroten353]

@@joeterzio7175 This is very true as well. Sports media wants "activist atheletes" to focus on, and the MLB produces none of these. I'm willing to bet that's the real reason why the MLB is shunned.

[@C-Note-to6vk]

@@dustinwroten353 you don't have to an activist to be interesting. They love Tom.Brady and Peyton Manning amd neither are "activist" athletes. In fact there are a low percentage of them

[@haymonsworld14]

He was making fun of Nigerian players names also. Where is the apology for that

[@Shehzadinthehouse]

He actually apologized on First Take for the name thing as well

[@schmidthockey]

He was making a joke. Did you have a problem with him making fun of Kwame Brown or Slava Menvendinko

[@knowledgesuncere7786]

@@schmidthockey , no one said a word when he made fun of Kwame name.

[@joeterzio7175]

This country is going insane with the amount of political correctness. I'm liberal politcally, but damn, stop getting upset about such pettiness.

[@agny369]

@@joeterzio7175 yeah man im the same way. The political correctness is what turns peoples minds off to the otherwise better ideas compared to the either non or terrible ideas of the right. It's twitter culture man, its an addiction and its peoples identity now. Twitter gives people who otherwise dont have meaning in their life a meaning , and they get on it early before theyve actually looked for meaning in other places. Social media is TERRIBLE for people's communication skills, it takes all the humanity out of interaction.

[@MattyVice]

So what happened exactly?

[@jaysantos536]

BREAKING NEWS!! FIRED.

[@stevewise1656]

Nigeria beat the US team and played better. I don’t know if Stephen A believes what he says or just trying to be controversial. Howard is always a great and informed interview.

[@chrisbutler9974]

Who care

[@Orlando407100]

Hideki Matsui used an interpreter when he was playing for the Yankees he just didn't want to speak English on camera

[@michaelhefner1683]

For the guy who found the pulpit about racism and how wrong it is he seems to make a lot of racist comments maybe you should go back to print so that way and editor can make sure you don't say stupid s*** again

[@brisley88]

Exactly what was racist about this?

[@jocosus3]

10:48 "When you're in hostile territory, you should expect hostility" - Howard Bryant Dear Mr. Bryant - I plan on stealing your philosophy going forward. Thank you in advance!

[@JSustain]

That was a damn good one. Similar to "Play by the rules of the jungle you are in "

[@_Jax_55]

The more money Stephen A Smith makes as he gets older, the more he turns into an old white man with his takes

[@ricebowl3]

I no longer watch Cowherd, Undisputed, or ESPN. Only Dan Patrick, and now Dan Lebatard

[@Zeus0886]

ESPN=🗑

[@xxphactor]

Interesting how racists are quick to jump on a flub from someone like SAS and say, "I told you so!! Blacks can be racist too!" But racists don't apologize.

[@loufrank1574]

That was a lame apology just like him

[@funkychicken2119]

SAS apologized because ESPN pays him serious cash. Cancel culture would have had him on a stick for BBQ if he didn’t. ESPN knows SAS is a potential firecracker and like a car wreck, people cant NOT watch him. He brings in viewers, so ESPN wants him around. In order for him to be around, he had to walk it all back and SAS would never give up that ESPN money so he did what he had to do. That doesn’t excuse SAS from always having racist undertones. He’s always walking that fine line. He was such a Jeremy Lin hater and when Kerr got the GSW job, all he did was say “why did the white guy get the job,?” He did the same for John Lynch with the niners too.

[@C-Note-to6vk]

@@loufrank1574 so are you a racist? That comment seemed to hit a nerve

[@C-Note-to6vk]

@@funkychicken2119 SAS would immediately get hired by Fox Sports. ESPN needs SAS just as much as he wants that check. The man has options. And unless you are him, you really don't know his motivation

[@axxelfoley3304]

Racism by definition doesn't involve color as the issue never was about color

[@emanefo]

French ppl are mad at Neymar cuz he does not speak french. Just saying!

[@MikeySkywalker]

People realize that one of the tenants America was founded on was not having a national language right? Seems like many Americans don't know that.

[@flame-sky7148]

I can’t imagine an Irish American dismissing an Irish players name. Or an Italian American doing the same thing to an Italian. Or a Mexican American doing that to a Mexican player.

[@tagyoi9878]

Why does he have to create and amplify the hate bullshit when it was the best timing to unite and enjoy the sport?

[@blackjesus6433]

I thought Howard Bryant was Charlamagne for a sec.

[@arkangelarkangel1302]

Ask Fernando how he had to deal with Lasorda? And you'll get it Steven A Smith.

[@CTDisqoTeck78]

Good Tuesday afternoon to you and great video post. This is a very interesting interview. I thought Howard Bryant was still with ESPN The Magazine? Secondly and I'm going directly at Stephen A. Smith and the network that covers up for his disgraceful behavior. I believe Stephen A. Smith won't get fired until he offends another White woman. Which is why he got suspended last time. At ESPN, Stephen A. Smith is always on safe ground with them. Just as long as he insults people of color and minorities. I'm just saying what others won't and don't have the courage to.

[@jaysantos536]

BREAKING NEWS!! FIRED.

[@raulg721]

Very true he picks his battles, but they should take any racial remarks as they would of a bashing of the black race as well.What is fair is fair and what is racist is racist!

[@Mishkabelly]

If SAS was white he would’ve been fired before he had a chance to apologize. Where is my award for a courageous opinion?

[@seanswinton6242]

Thank You, it is so obvious. He is why I no longer watch First Take. Once he got his new contract and realized his ranking in the ESPN chain, he became too rude and arrogant. Just his last 2 months have been disgusting! Love this show's discussion on the drama at ESPN last week!

[@thegawdvegito4260]

Stephen A taking L left and right especially after Kwame put that pressure on him and asked some serious questions

[@tacomeat]

hell yeah

[@C-Note-to6vk]

No one thinking about Kwame lol.

[@tacomeat]

@@C-Note-to6vk only bout 400k

[@thegawdvegito4260]

@@C-Note-to6vk Stephen A Smith is lol we the people want to know why was he at them colleges??? O wait he will do ANYTHING to make his bosses money it's literally the first thing on his mind 🤣🤣🤣

[@bigwilly43729]

It’s funny to see how these interviews are received once they are out from under the ESPN umbrella. People suddenly love the race conversations. Weird.

[@johnohrstrom5112]

People get to self select what they watch on KZbin. Fascists choose other outlets.

[@tacomeat]

kwame brown is showing you all about stephen a. smith. momma's cookin' is being served.

[@rjwade3533]

Why was that boy at them highschools 🤣🤣🤣

[@warnerjones9932]

Reach

[@allpraisestoyah5033]

@@rjwade3533 lmao I can’t stop laughing when he says that why was you in them high school boi?😂😂😂🥴

[@mannyneva1760]

Dog 💩 cooking

[@benjaminunanaowo2929]

I guarantee most of the people in hear praising Howard Bryant haven’t read his works or really followed him. You’re not saying, “great job Howard.” You’re saying, “Thanks you for being a Black Man who has a critique of SAS and verifies my feelings about him regardless of this situation.” Bryant is far to the left of SAS. 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@raekwonw359]

Thanks for sharing since you obviously have a miraculous gift for knowing everyone’s intentions , even strangers. 💁🏿‍♂️

[@christianrapper]

This is getting silly. Stephen A did not dismiss Nigeria. Also, Stephen A. said that shonei would be more marketable to Americans if he spoke English. He didn’t tell shonei to “speak English.” Shonei would be able to do more commercials and he would be able to do more endorsements if he spoke English. Shonei is would also be able to do more interviews if he spoke English. It’s harder to market someone who needs an interpreter than someone who doesn’t.

[@joshruiz809]

He’s got Japan backing him lmao, he’s fine

[@joshuarodriguez2850]

When you’ve seen enough white people tell people You know to learn English this isn’t Mexico that line has gotten me heated more then a couple times straight disrespectful

[@winstonsyme5899]

No. The real disrespect is actually having the US except other languages. Does Mexico print ballots in English? Everyone European person who came here learned English. They did not have classes in German. The arrogance of non-White people is just so irrational.

[@jgsure2773]

Do you remember when Terrel Owens came to first take and said Max was blacker than Stephen A Smith wow it’s true go KZbin it it was hilariously funny

[@C-Note-to6vk]

Blacks think he is too white amd Whites think he is too black.

[@JustMe-nf1mf]

The problem is that Espn, SAS, etc, all believe there aren't enough intelligent sports fans to support them so they have to pander to the lowest common denominator with clickbait, bs hot takes, & nonsense like first take etc 🙄 It's gotten really old tbh

[@julianisaac6004]

Agreed. I'm black but the whole loud talking, barber shop style is played and no matter how cogent or sharp of a take you may have it comes across as ignorant.

[@JustMe-nf1mf]

@@julianisaac6004 100% & thank you for putting my thoughts into better words :o)

[@roccopaolino463]

Dan have Clay Travis on the show and take him to task about what you don’t like and go on his show and do the same. Be adults and have a conversation. Don’t like the guy. Do t agree with him. Have an adult conversation though. If a liberal or conservative always thinks he or she is right. Conversations never happen and people can’t see that everybody has Merit. Nobody agrees with everyone. But everyone is not wrong all the time. Everyone makes solid points

[@matiasrodriguez3155]

Remember when Dan got accused of being racist for saying Magic was a bad hire? This is too much political correctness

[@timbrown9796]

Does lebatard stand with us black folks?

[@freshflyflossy]

The Nigeria comments really really set me off

[@freshflyflossy]

So because his ignorant tap dancing ass can't pronounce a name it means what exactly?!

[@choc0lee]

If learning English is gonna take any time away from shoheis baseball, I don’t want him to

[@timbrown9796]

But don't people who live in other countries learn than language?

[@rend1846]

SAS and SKIP are the most hated but still have jobs we don’t need them

[@JamesDavis-sh9gh]

Sadly, for every great journalist like Howard Bryant and Bryant Gumbel, there is always a Screaming A Smith always out to make himself a part of the story by screwing things up.

[@speediepitstop1531]

If SAS was not black, as he kept reminding us, he would have been fired already

[@timkinley1779]

When someone starts out with, 'As a black man (or women)', you can pretty much bet common sense will be missing from the coming thought.

[@1Fasterblade]

Miami is thee premier bi lingual city?...

[@pupyherrera3178]

Dan lebatard you cuban you should've straight him out about all the lies that Bryant so at the amazing museum of the revolution in cuba, PATRIA y VIDA !!!!!

[@ddlk9913]

Can you believe a guy in a country that the massive majority speaks english thinks a guy should probably learn to speak english? And look i don't care, Ohtani is incredible it's about the game, but i'd be lying if i said I didn't prefer it if some of the players spoke better english.

[@jwalkhooligan3597]

Hakeem loves Nigerian basketball so much so he played for the USA national team in 1996 and would of played for the original dream team had FIBA let him.

[@jaysantos536]

@@roaddog1775 Dude named "Pizza" aint from Italy? Say waht?

[@stuff4232]

idk why people are so surpised. Stephan A has been playing a character for so long. He needs to constantly say the next big thing to get attention. This isn't so hard to think he would say

[@Timoteo4]

I commented on something similar today on twitter, when someone tweeted that all of a sudden, everyone knows how to pronounce Antetokounmpo. I tweeted that if you're in the word business, it isn't that hard to learn how to pronounce someone's name. If you need to, break it down in to syllables. Spell it phonetically if you want. Practice until you get it. It's your f**kin' JOB. It's blatantly disrespectful, AND unprofessional to purposely state that you don't care to pronounce a non-anglo name correctly.

[@tosin5346]

The conversation is nuanced. If you are an American and you go play sports in Spain or Italy you will be expected to learn to speak the language if you truly want to ingratiate yourself with the locals. Ask players who play in this leagues in Europe. A lot of them are bilingual

[@justthinking919]

Let's get one thing straight. A great athlete who does not speak English can certainly become the face of any American sport. Having said that Stephen A. Made a clunky comment based on an historical market reality. This kind of professorial history lesson about cashman and Rooney is rubbish. It's this kind of over reaction which turns people off to actual societal, cultural growth. Stephen A. Is not racist and nothing he said warrants this much overaction. I know this is not a popular take but as a society we have lost the ability to tell the difference between truly toxic language and a clunky hot take. Bringing up critical race theory was perfect. In the same way that people are using it as an excuse to create a culture war Mr. Bryant just did the same thing. Completely over react to something that really was not worthy of a history lesson about language etc...

[@sgcraig2430]

We can admit that it was a distasteful comment BUT we can also admit his comments weren’t representative of how he felt but of how the average (white) American may feel

[@drewjoaquin4761]

IMO, the comment was about Ohtani's ability to communicate/connect with fans and not about Ohtani being Asian, specifically... did I miss something? I don't watch sports for press conferences or care what language a player speaks; I watch sports for the competition and entertainment, so I guess I just don't get the controversy here!

[@blalien777]

Professional PLAYERS NEED TO HOLD SAS ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL THIS S*** HE SAYS ABOUT BLACK MEN!

[@otisyoungblood]

And this is why baseball is 4th sport in America ppl just not into it

[@franklogan5136]

When did people start hating Asians in this country? At least with people under the age of 60. I never in my 30 years of life have heard anyone say anything disparaging about Asians. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen but everyday there’s another news story about an Asian hate crime, it’s just weird to me. Maybe It’s because I lived in more rural communities throughout my life, I don’t know.

[@laxuspoldish6165]

American history is riddled with events of Asian hate/racism. For example, Japanese concentration camps and the Chinese exclusion act. In terms of modern times, prejudice against Asians still occur. Not all Asian Americans have the same story nor can I speak for them all, but we still have Asians being called derogatory terms such as "gook or "chink." Some people think all Asians are Chinese and tell them to "go back to China." Some people are paranoid when they here Asians talking in their native tongue and tell them to "speak English, this is America." These are just a few of the many stories that either I have witnessed or experienced.

[@xxphactor]

Now compare his apology with Rachal Nichols. One thing about SAS, he'll milk how straight up he is for 10 minutes before he apologizes...lol

[@franklogan5136]

@@laxuspoldish6165 I’m aware, as I’m sure most are of America’s history of racism with Asians and I know it’s still a problem to this day. I guess what I’m saying is that the news makes it sound like Americans or humans in general haven’t improved at all regarding any form of bigotry. It’s like they want us to hate each other and to keep us hating each other. In regards to speaking other languages, I think most people are uncomfortable with that just because we don’t know what they’re saying. I don’t think it’s irrational to feel that way. I work at a family business and we have groups of Mexicans that come in all the time who don’t speak any English whatsoever. We are always kind and patient with them because they are kind and respectful themselves. However, we found out that a select few have been saying extremely hurtful and racist things to us in Spanish right to our faces this whole time for no apparent reason. It was very disappointing. Now, I don’t view every Mexican the same because of those select individuals but it does create anxiety and fear to an extant and unfortunately, every time someone is speaking another language I wonder if they’re are saying horrible and hurtful things right to my face. What I’m trying to say is that language barriers are always going to be uncomfortable for most people. It doesn’t make those people racist for feeling that way. It also doesn’t make people racist for expecting American citizens to speak English to some degree. I am aware it is very difficult to learn another language later in life but there should be an expectation to at least try. I hope I’m not coming off as a judgmental or cold because Deep down, I honestly believe that most people are caring and loving and would do anything to help others in need, but Unfortunately in today’s climate we focus on everything that’s bad and wrong instead of what’s good and right.

[@emanefo]

Spanish were mad at Benzema cuz he was not speaking spanish

[@Bobabomb337]

What was he speaking? Give me the quick story on that one, thanks

[@raulg721]

LETS NOT FORGET THE BEN DENUCCI COMMENTS WHEN THE BACKUP SITUATION IN DALLAS WAS GOING ON!!HE GETS AWAY WITH TOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@siLLy7979]

LOVE freedom. Sounds better every day

[@heyfrancis3332]

This is easy pickens what they are about to do is switch out Maria Taylor for Stephen a Smith and everybody’s going to be shocked but that’s gonna put a cloud and or shield over the whole Rachel Nichols situation watch🤓

[@jaysantos536]

BREAKING NEWS!! FIRED.

[@rashads4621]

The fact that you have people saying he's right are dealing with a severe need of diversity training. This country is done for.... wow

[@chuckrambo4401]

Lol CNN is full of hate 24/7 if you disagree with their forced opinion but ok they want “unity”

[@rashads4621]

@@chuckrambo4401 its "HATE" when the truth of Trump comes out lol. Sure

[@winstonsyme5899]

The nation is doomed because of diversity.

[@SWAGLEADER97]

People are dumb sports itself is a language

[@inthecloudsitc7085]

Apologise to China! Yes boss!

[@deondre4057]

Stephen A talks to much not to get in trouble

[@murryjm]

I believe all top athletes in every major sport in America should be required to go thru a finishing/polishing school, which requires conversational English proficiency (diction included) & PR protocols. That includes Shotime & even Ant Edwards too (and any immensely talented country bumpkin out there). It only helps the players more financially anyway…From SAS perspective, if Shotime never speaks in English then what kind of drama can SAS dredge up on a daily basis to talk about re: him since he gets bored with actual analysis now?