Stephen A. Smith Calls Out Pacman Jones, African-American Players

Times are tough for Pacman Jones. The guy is picked up by the Dallas Cowboys with a "one strike and you're out" policy, gets in one little fight with a bodyguard in a public setting and now people are all over him.

The cornerback had five tackles yesterday in the loss against the Cardinals, but got burnt on a go route by none other than ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, who said Friday that he is absolutely fed up with Pacman's antics, taking a particular stance that he feels many in sports media cannot.

"(Jones) is completely idiotic in this situation," Smith said on ESPN's 1st & 10. "I'm really ticked off right now because one of the things that I think a lot of people can't say, but obviously I can say being an African-American, I don't see too many white players getting into these kinds of situations."

Stephen A. was just loading the bullets into the gun. He went on to call out African-American players as a whole for a bad NFL image.

"It's entirely embarrassing," Smith said. "As an African-American, I'm really getting sick and tired of having to sit up here and give some kind of explanation as to why these guys find themselves in this situation.

"My last comment: White players are not finding themselves in these situations. We've got to start taking a look at ourselves."

As Daulerio so aptly pointed out over at Deadspin, the NFL is made up of nearly 70 percent African-Americans, so calling them out for all the troubles in the game is a little skewed. Sure, some black players get into trouble, but it isn't like all the white players are going from the shower to the soup kitchen. You give players gobs of money, you put their face all over the television and Internet, bad things tend to occur.

Still, even though Smith is usually like a Saturday morning emergency broadcast test you can't seem to mute, the ESPN talent is at least heartfelt here.

To me, it just seems there are specific players that can't stay out of trouble. I don't believe making a personal decision to straighten up has anything to do with race, I think it has more to do with willpower and want. If you're going to quit screwing up and actually make personal strides, do it. If not, you'll find yourself in the face of a bodyguard before you know it.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-13-2008 @ 7:18PM

the cooker said...

I say good for Stephen A.! I for one have written in blasting him many times for his posts. He has done so many that have had bigot written all over them that it is refreshing to hear him call out Packman for a change and he is correct. It is correct that all African-American athletes are not bad people or that all White athletes are good people because that is horribly wrong to say.

10-13-2008 @ 7:28PM

roy whitley said...

to hear a black man address an iniquity in another black man gives me reason for pause! seldom do you find that kind of honesty! many blacks refuse to accept responsibility for their negative actions! the white man is always the reason for their troubles.

10-14-2008 @ 10:03AM

Mike said...

Hey Stephen A. For every one finger pointing at someone else there always four pointing back at you .Your opinion is yours .You got more game than Parker Brothers. Who the hell made you in charge of what Mr. Jones does or anybody else .
Either you are hating or you just think your sh*t don't stink.

10-13-2008 @ 9:12PM

KingGreat said...

4 fingers pointing back at you? You sure? Point your index finger out, and tell me if your thumb is pointing back at you. If it is, then I suggest you get away from your computer, and use your disfigured hand to call an orthopedist right away, because you have a problem. By the way, Stephen A. is right for maybe the fifth time in his life- please don't discount his opinion because you have a twisted outlook or a twisted hand. If you don't believe me, please refer to the "Bengals, Cincinnati" entry in your closest fictitional Sports Crimes Encyclopedia. While thumbing through it (get it!!??), please realize that a well respected sports editor has hit the nail right on the head in this case.

10-13-2008 @ 8:23PM

redskinsfan said...

what a refreshing comment. hats off to the man.

10-14-2008 @ 4:48PM

ken E said...

For once Stephen A. said msomething that almost everyone can agree on. In my opinion he has almost always seemed racist but this stand took some guts and hit the nail on the head. White players do get into trouble but there being 4 times as many black players there are naturally more blacks that get into trouble. More blacks seem to get into trouble after football also. Hats off to Stephen A on this comment