Jamie Foxx Criticizes Stephen A. Smith For Calling Out Ben Simmons, Smith Responds

Multifaceted entertainer Jamie Foxx has recently spoken out about how ESPN‘s Stephen A. Smith has called out Brooklyn Nets basketball player Ben Simmons for sitting on the sidelines this season.

Sports announcer Smith has been criticized for how fervently he speaks about and to Black athletes and for reportedly not having the same energy for white athletes.

Smith recently went after Simmons like a wrecking ball and railed on him for not playing, calling it “one of the most pathetic situations I’ve ever seen in my life.”

After his latest rant over the weekend regarding Simmons, The Shade Room reported that Foxx hit back and responded to Smith’s statements on the media outlet’s Instagram account.

“That is completely unfair @bensimmons has a family this man has people that love him and this man just plays basketball but to be dragged through the mud like this is unfair…and why is it @stephenasmith you only go at basketball players. You completely mute when it comes to the Tom Bradys the Aaron Rodgers of the world… You get where I’m going… stop it bruh it’s out of bounds.”

According to the New York Post, Smith responded to his friend Foxx about his comment.

On First Take, Smith starts off by stating he and Foxx are close friends, and he went on to compliment the actor and comedian for his talent. Then in typical Stephen A. Smith fashion, he starts to discredit his sports acumen, stating Foxx has “no credibility when it comes to sports” — because he’s a Dallas Cowboys fan.

Ouch.

“Jamie Foxx knows better,” Smith said on the program.

“He’s just highly protective of the Black athlete, as he should be because they deserve our protection in a lot of situations. Jamie Foxx knows good and damn well it ain’t got nothing to do with brotherhood for me. I protect brothers all the damn time, trust you me, it’s what I DON’T say that proves my protection.”

Smith disputes the claims that he doesn’t go after white athletes in the same way he does Black athletes.

“I’m only supposed to be complimentary?” he asked. “I’m calling out a Kyrie [Irving] and a Ben Simmons because of their impact and effect on the Black athlete. When you go to the collective bargaining table, and [the owners] use them as an example to try to minimize their contribution to players, that’s about those players. That’s about the Black athlete.”