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ESPN Suspends Analyst Stephen A. Smith Over Domestic Violence Remarks

Jul 30, 2014  •  Post A Comment

Popular ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith was suspended by the network following his controversial remarks about domestic violence. The Los Angeles Times’ Show Tracker reports that Smith was suspended for one week.

“Smith will not appear on ‘First Take’ or ESPN Radio for the next week. He will return to ESPN next Wed,” the network said in a statement.

As previously reported, Smith came under fire for comments he made on-air Friday morning, which seemed to suggest that women are in some respects to blame when they become victims of domestic violence. He was discussing Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice and his two-game suspension for an alleged domestic violence episode with his then-fiancee, who is now his wife.

Smith said men have “no business putting your hands on a woman,” but added, apparently addressing women, “Let’s make sure we don’t do anything to provoke wrong actions.”

Smith apologized with taped remarks that appeared on “First Take” on Monday. He said, “My words came across that it is somehow a woman’s fault. This was not my intent. It is not what I was trying to say. Yet the failure to clearly articulate something different lies squarely on my shoulders.”

stephen a. smith.pngStephen A. Smith

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