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Stephen A. Smith Refuses To Apologize To Serena Williams Amid Intense Backlash Over Super Bowl Remarks 

Stephen A. Smith Serena Williams
By: London JennnCategory: News

Stephen A. Smith is doubling down on his criticism of Serena Williams’ Super Bowl appearance, refusing to apologize despite the backlash over his remarks.   The veteran sportscaster caused an uproar over his reaction to the tennis superstar crip walking during Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show.   "If I'm married and my wife is going to join trolling […]

Stephen A. Smith is doubling down on his criticism of Serena Williams’ Super Bowl appearance, refusing to apologize despite the backlash over his remarks.  

The veteran sportscaster caused an uproar over his reaction to the tennis superstar crip walking during Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show.  

He addressed the criticism on the “Stephen A. Smith Show” Wednesday night (February 12). Although he acknowledged people were “agitated” by his remarks, Smith refused to apologize. 

“News flash ladies and gentlemen,” he began. “First of all, I was playing around, it was a lot of fun. Secondly I didn’t utter a disrespectful word towards Serena Williams, so I don’t know where the whole  Serena protection protocol kicks in.” 

He continued, insisting, “It was more of a gender issue,” and was simply expressing the sentiments of “a lot of” men. 

“What I expressed is exactly what I meant,” he asserted. “I’m not apologizing for it. I’m not condoning it either.” 

According to Smith, some men feel insecure “when we see energy expressed in the direction of another dude,” even if it is  “vitriol” or “get back.” 

Serena Williams Husband Hits Back At Critics

He also referenced Williams’ husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian’s statement explaining the significance of her performance. 

“Some of y’all have no idea how criticized Serena was for this same dance at Wimbledon 13 years ago and it shows,” Ohanian tweeted. “This is bigger than the music.” 

Smith continued, “Nobody was insulting Serena Williams. I’m simply saying from the male perspective because I thought the males would pick up on it.” 

Check out the video below. Stephen A. Smith addresses his comments about Serena Williams around the 2:50 minute mark.

Williams jokingly contrasted her Super Bowl performance and the 2012 controversy in a video after the Super Bowl.  

“Man I did not Crip Walk like that at Wimbledon,” she said, laughing. “I would’ve been fined!”  

The sporting legend also revealed Kendrick Lamar was inspired by her crip walk at the 2024 Olympics.  

“End of story,” she said, shutting down her critics.  

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