Stephen A. Smith Criticizes BET Awards for Honoring O.J. Simpson, Calls Tribute Misguided
4 min read
Image via YT@stephenasmith
Renowned sports analyst Stephen A. Smith has voiced his displeasure with the BET Awards for including a tribute to O.J. Simpson in one of their segments. Smith, known for his passionate and often intense commentary, shared his views on his self-titled podcast, expressing why he felt Simpson’s inclusion was inappropriate.
Stephen A. Smith, who often stirs conversations with his bold opinions, was particularly disturbed by the decision to honor Simpson, a figure mired in controversy. He pointed out that the BET Awards are intended to celebrate Black culture and excellence, and he argued that Simpson, a disgraced former NFL star, does not align with these values. Smith believes that including Simpson in the celebration casts a negative light on the entire Black entertainment community.
“When you do something like this,” Stephen A. Smith said on his podcast, “you got folks outside saying ‘see that.’ TMZ talking about it. NBC talking about it… When that kind of stuff happens, how do you think that benefits us?”
A clip from the podcast has gone viral on social media, where Smith can be heard questioning why Simpson, who he claims did not care about the Black community, would be honored. He expressed concern that such decisions reflect poorly on the community as a whole. “I’m not blaming any of the folks there in the audience; they didn’t know,” Smith said. “Even though BET is owned by Paramount, it’s still BET and black folks are everywhere and that’s what we’re celebrating? We as a community are going to be held accountable for that.”
Smith’s frustration is not without precedent. He has been vocal about his views on Simpson in the past. In April, following Simpson’s death, Smith stated that if he had been on the jury during Simpson’s infamous criminal trial, he would have ensured Simpson was convicted. “There’s no balance to it,” Smith said. “You can remember and you can engage in recall by bringing up his athletic prowess and his tremendous career as a football player. But it all pales in comparison to him being perceived as a double murderer.”
Smith emphasized that Simpson’s athletic achievements are overshadowed by the brutal murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. “When you think about O.J. Simpson, you may remember that he’s a football player, but what you remember most is the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. And you think, obviously, of him. There’s no way around that.”
In his podcast, Smith used the BET Awards’ tribute to Simpson to highlight a broader issue. He suggested that the decision to honor Simpson indicates a deeper problem within the community’s perception and acknowledgment of controversial figures. “That’s a story we don’t get into nearly as much as we should,” Smith said. “Did it ever occur to anybody?” He clarified that his criticism was directed more at the network than the audience, stressing that the Black community should not be seen as endorsing Simpson’s legacy.
Stephen A. Smith says it was a bad look that the BET Awards honored O.J. Simpson pic.twitter.com/5haDIhelJf
— Akademiks TV (@AkademiksTV) July 3, 2024
Smith’s comments underscore the enduring impact of Simpson’s criminal trial, which captivated the nation and significantly influenced public opinion. He also touched on how figures like Johnnie Cochran, Simpson’s defense attorney, rose to prominence during the trial. “Most people believe that he committed those murders,” Smith reiterated. “If I was on the jury, he would have been under the damn jail. I know that much. I believed he was guilty, but I don’t know. I’m talking about based on the evidence that was placed before us during the trial overseen by Judge Lance Ito.”
Stephen A. Smith’s criticism of the BET Awards’ decision to honor O.J. Simpson reflects his belief that the community should be cautious about whom it chooses to celebrate. His comments have sparked a broader discussion about accountability and the importance of maintaining a focus on positive role models within the community.
- Also read: Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey Fire Back at TikTok Critic Over Wedding Dress Comments
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
