Stephen A. Smith To “Stand Down” Following Backlash For Comments On Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock

Stephen A. Smith is “standing down” after receiving backlash for saying Will Smith needs to publicly address the Black community regarding him slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards.

Shannon Sharpe's 'First Take' Role To Expand In Multi-Year Mega Deal With ESPN

During Monday’s (June 10) episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show , the ESPN anchor clarified his original comments before acknowledging the feedback he’s received from Will Smith supporters.

According to Stephen A., Will’s actions directly affected Will Packer, who produced the Oscars that year, and was the first Black producer to do so. He also believes Will’s film Emancipation was possibly snubbed the following year due to his behavior, with Stephen asserting director Antoine Fuqua may have missed out on a Best Director nomination.

“I was thinking about Black folks everywhere, aspiring to be in this business…and something like that happens, and it was a blemish on all of us,” he argued. “Because I know how much white America reveres Will Smith. And they’re thinking along the lines of, in my mind, ‘hell, if he did that, what would the rest of us do?’ That’s what I was thinking when I said what I said Friday about being torn.”

Stephen then added that he never discouraged the public from supporting Will, and acknowledged that the actor’s life has been “more good than bad.” He also shared that he received countless messages from Black fans of Will who wholeheartedly disagree with the notion that the actor “owes” the Black community anything.

“‘Who said he lost our support? He never lost it. We didn’t like what he did…but damn it, we love Will Smith and we forgive him,'” Stephen said while quoting those who’ve messaged him in Will’s defense. “‘You don’t hear Chris Rock talking about it, complaining about him. Eventually, they’ll meet and they’ll talk, Stephen A.’ We heard all of that. So, I got to stand down.”

During his original rant, Stephen A. alluded to the veteran actor’s resurgence of success, insisting he remains in debt to the Black community, mainstream acceptance aside.

“Somewhere along the way he has to sit down and talk to the Black community. You can see all the White people around Will Smith all you want to,” the Queens native added, referencing Caucasian fans’ seeming embrace of the former rap star in the wake of Bad Boys: Ride Or Die ‘s seismic return at the box office. “Black folks have loved and revered this man for decades. He was the closest thing to perfection, as his friend Charlie Mac once told me.”

Stephen A. made it clear he had no intent to villianize Smith, but that he feels as if the Philadelphia native owes some sort of explanation or reasoning behind his actions on the night of the incident. “Everybody makes a mistake. This is not hatred. I love Will Smith still. But you gotta have a conversation as to why you did that.”

Will Smith Creates His Filmography Mount Rushmore With These Four Flicks

The ESPN First Take star also voiced his skepticism over if Smith would’ve assaulted a Caucasian comedian, a sentiment echoed by others while reacting to the moment. “We know you wouldn’t have smacked Ricky Gervais, Bill Maher, Bill Burr or a host of others,” Smith said.

“We know you wouldn’t have done that. No apology is necessary. I’m just saying a lot of folks ain’t get over that. A lot of folks find it hard to just go to the movies to watch you. I’m one of those people.”

Stephen A. concluded his message by acknowledging Smith’s talents, albeit while vowing not to watch his films until he properly atones for his actions.

“Will Smith, you’re phenomenal. Phenomenal talent, phenomenal actor, phenomenal individual, you lost your way one night,’ the New York Times bestseller said. “We need to hear that from you. I’m sorry. That’s what I need to do before I look forward to seeing your movies again, more than seeing a sit down.”

Will Smith’s onstage slap of Rock following a joke the comedian made about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, created shockwaves through the entertainment industry.

He was banned from the Academy Awards and all Academy events for a decade in the aftermath. He would later apologize for his actions, but has yet to fully address the lead-up to the encounter.

The fourth installment of Bad Boys , Smith and costar Martin Lawrence’s storied film franchise, debuted at No. 1 at the box office, earning $56 million domestically and an additional $48.6 million internationally, accounting for a total of $104.6 million in global sales.

Watch The Stephen A. Smith Show below.

Will Smith Shows Off Insane Camera Operating Skills In Viral BTS Clip From 'Bad Boys: Ride Or Die'