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Stephen A. Smith Faces Backlash Over Comments on Lane Johnson
Confirmed
In Short: In response to Johnson's decision, Smith made comments that were perceived as insensitive and dismissive.
Sports analyst Stephen A. Smith has faced intense backlash for his comments regarding Philadelphia Eagles player Lane Johnson's retirement.
On Tuesday, Johnson announced his retirement from the NFL, citing mental health concerns.
In response to Johnson's decision, Smith made comments that were perceived as insensitive and dismissive.
The reaction to Smith's comments has been particularly strong on social media, with the hashtag 'WE WANT CODY!' trending on X (formerly Twitter) and a video of The Rock challenging Roman Reigns becoming WWE's most disliked YouTube video.
Smith, known for his outspoken opinions, has faced criticism for his handling of sensitive topics in the past.
Despite the backlash, Smith has not issued a formal apology for his comments.
The controversy surrounding Smith's comments has overshadowed other recent sports news, including the backlash faced by Macklemore for his pro-Palestinian message at Ed Sheeran's concert.
What's confirmed
- Sports analyst Stephen A. Smith has faced intense backlash for his comments regarding Philadelphia Eagles player Lane Johnson's retirement.
- On Tuesday, Johnson announced his retirement from the NFL, citing mental health concerns.
- In response to Johnson's decision, Smith made comments that were perceived as insensitive and dismissive.
- The reaction to Smith's comments has been particularly strong on social media, with the hashtag 'WE WANT CODY!' trending on X (formerly Twitter) and a video of The Rock challenging Roman Reigns becoming WWE's most disliked YouTube video.
- Smith, known for his outspoken opinions, has faced criticism for his handling of sensitive topics in the past.
- Despite the backlash, Smith has not issued a formal apology for his comments.
- The controversy surrounding Smith's comments has overshadowed other recent sports news, including the backlash faced by Macklemore for his pro-Palestinian message at Ed Sheeran's concert.
What's still developing
- To say that the reaction to him seemingly being inserted into the WrestleMania XL main event hasn’t been what Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was expecting might be an understatement.
- "We hear the concerns some people are expressing, given Murrow College's history of educating some of our nation's most accomplished journalists."
- Posting a video clip of his interaction with Reigns to his Instagram page, “The People’s Champion” praised the reaction of the fans in attendance in Birmingham, Alabama, before noting of the less receptive online reaction, “ps, tough skin, love the passion.” “FEEL the mana,” Johnson wrote.
- In the days since Cody Rhodes stepped aside — literally — to allow The Rock to apparently challenge Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship, there has been no shortage of backlash from WWE fans.
- Many football fans respected Johnson's decision, celebrating his 14-year career that yielded six Pro-Bowl selections, two First Team All-Pro honors and two Super Bowl championship titles.
- Some comments include, " Just found out they're allegedly using blue banners instead of purple for corona in the tangled remake and now im starting my day off mad and upset."
- Live-action adaptations of their most beloved classic animated movies have either been major successes or complete box office flops with fan backlash.
- A lot of scrutiny and backlash have erupted over Kiffin's LSU roster attempting to add multiple NFL players ahead of their season-opening game against Clemson on Saturday.
- Just over a year after the actor’s controversial American Eagle campaign, Sweeney is facing another barrage of criticism over her partnership with the newly launched Novig.
- Sydney Sweeney appears to have responded to the backlash over her sexualised ad campaign for sports trading app Novig.
- The announcement comes amid deep tension with UEFA, which has led fierce criticism of Infantino’s leadership following his now-scrapped plan to sell private investment stakes in FIFA’s commercial rights through a proposed subsidiary called the FIFA Forward Enterprise.
- Infantino has led FIFA since 2016 and was widely expected to run unopposed until the investment scheme triggered a genuine backlash.