Stephen A. Smith Fires Back at NABJ For Thumbs Down Award Amid Latest Accusations

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) has handed Stephen A. Smith its “Thumbs Down” award, citing concerns over his comments about Black women and public disputes with fellow journalists. Smith, never one to stay quiet, quickly fired back on his own platform.

NABJ president Errin Haines explained the decision in an interview with Capital B. “We certainly heard from folks across Black America who have been concerned about the kinds of things Stephen A. Smith said about Black women in sports, entertainment, and media,” Haines told Akoto Ofori‑Atta.

“He was also involved in a public spat with veteran, independent journalist Joy‑Ann Reid,” Haines continued. “These things are illustrative of a pattern we felt was harmful.”

“Yes, Stephen A. Smith is somebody who speaks publicly and has an opinion that is valuable as a prominent voice in this country, but what does it mean when that voice and that platform are being used in a way that diminishes the public voice and presence of Black women in our society?” Haines added.

Smith responded with frustration on Stephen A’s Straight Shooter Media. “We saw what the NABJ did by giving me the Thumbs Down award. Everybody got their say. My turn,” Smith said.

He then called out Haines for declining to appear on his show. “Ladies and gentlemen, before I taped this show, I reached out and asked the president of the NABJ to come on this show to have a conversation with me about her assertions that she articulated on that stage,” Smith said.

“She’d rather have an off‑the‑air private conversation first,” Smith noted. “Oh really? So you can go on a public platform to denigrate me, make these accusations against me without calling. But when I challenge you to come on here face‑to‑face and have a conversation with me, now we want a private conversation?”

Regardless, the award has already been given, and NABJ is unlikely to rescind its decision.

Sports Journalist Weighs In

While Stephen A. Smith expressed outrage, sports journalist Jemele Hill told The Don Lemon Show she wasn’t surprised.

“Have the criticisms of Stephen A. been unfair? The answer is no,” Hill said. “I think they’ve been completely fair, and I think a lot of them have been valid … I think politically, people have a problem with how he’s used his platform.”

Smith’s career has spanned decades, and his outspoken style has made him one of the most recognizable figures in sports media. But his recent controversies, from clashes with athletes to accusations of misogyny, have raised questions about his credibility.

At this stage, critics argue the public wants to see Smith clean up his act to restore his standing as a prominent journalist.