- Smith said he could sue Papelbon for ‘lying’ about his locker room ban claim
- The Papelbon-Smith dispute began when Smith questioned an injury to Mike Trout
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ESPN host Stephen A. Smith responded to criticism from former Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon, where the former MLB player accused the sports personality of racism.
Papelbon claimed Smith was “fake” and says things just to get views, after the ESPN host questioned Angels star Mike Trout’s injury.
The former pitcher also said the journalist was once banned from the Philadelphia Phillies clubhouse for trying to peek through the manager’s door.
Smith responded on his podcast, in a long rant where he addressed each of Papelbon’s main claims.
“What do you mean I got kicked out of the Major League Baseball clubhouse?” Smith said. ‘I have been a journalist and sports commentator for 30 years.
Stephen A. Smith Responds to Former MLB Star Jonathan Papelbon Who Called Him Racist
Former Phillies pitcher Papelbon said Smith was ejected from the locker room in Philadelphia
Papelbon’s comments came after Smith openly questioned a Mike Trout injury
“That’s never happened in any sport. I’ve never been kicked out of a locker room. I’ve never been kicked out of a clubhouse. … That’s a lie.
‘Now, I could sue you for lying, telling a lie like that. But I will not. I won’t waste my time.
Smith continued, “I think when people mention the word racist, if they looked at you and me sitting together, I think they’d look at you before they look at me.”
‘I’ve never talked about you. You are irrelevant. At least until today.
“And because I mention that, you would go on the air, Papelbon, without knowing anything about me, and call me a racist,” Smith also said.
‘I am a black man. We have a history of experiencing racism. And many times, those experiences come courtesy of people who look like you. And it would never occur to me to call you a racist.
‘What you said is wrong, it is irresponsible, it is petty, and if it were to provoke a reaction, it would be desperate. Because now that you no longer have your playing career to fall back on, I guess you need help in other areas.
‘That’s the most you’ll get from me. Be an adult, brother. The things you said about me sound so damn racist and I still wouldn’t call you that unless I knew for sure.
