BACK WITH A BANG
‘What he was saying was a lie’ Stephen A. Smith savages John Harbaugh for Lamar Jackson comments on First Take comeback
The ESPN star blasted the Baltimore Ravens head coach's recent playoff record
STEPHEN A. Smith has marked his return to First Take with a savage takedown of Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh.
The ESPN star lined up alongside host Molly Qerim and fellow analyst Harry Douglas on Monday's panel after being on vacation since July 2.
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And Stephen A. laid into Harbaugh following his impassioned speech that Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was being unfairly criticized for not reaching the Super Bowl.
"There's a lot of great things said about Lamar," Harbaugh said on Sunday.
"But there's a lot of stuff that's said that you just got to scratch your head about and kind of wonder, 'What's that person even thinking?''
"But we take it personally."
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Harbaugh says he cannot understand why Jackson is receiving the same scrutiny since he was a junior in high school.
"All his life, Lamar Jackson has been a guy who's been answering those same questions," Harbaugh said.
"I'm talking about since he was a kid. Junior high, high school, college, the draft.
"The success he's had in the [NFL], again, it still comes up.
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"OK, now he's still growing. He's got a growth mindset. He's going to get better and better, no doubt.
"But what does he have to do to prove himself to some people?"
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Stephen A. was far from impressed by Harbaugh's comments.
"First of all I would appreciate it if he doesn't make up narratives because what he was saying was a lie," Stephen A. said.
"Number two I'd like him to look in the mirror.
"John Harbaugh is known for being incredibly honest but respectfully Coach Harbaugh, what the hell are you talking about?
"What is this criticism and critique of Lamar Jackson? Where is it coming from?
"There is only one. You haven't been to a Super Bowl - you haven't won a Super Bowl championship."
Stephen A. Smith's journey through media
STEPHEN A. Smith is now the face of ESPN and an executive producer on First Take having initially started working for the company back in 2003.
Smith has held various roles with the network, including hosting radio shows, SportsCenter contributions, and appearing on NBA Countdown.
He was a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer from 1994 to 2010.
His began as an NBA writer before becoming a general sports columnist.
Before that, Smith worked as a reporter with Winston-Salem Journal, the Greensboro News, and the New York Daily News.
Stephen A. then proceeded to name the nine players who have been Super Bowl champions and a two-time NFL MVP, including Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.
He then questioned why Jackson, a two-time MVP, was not on the list.
"No one questions his ability," Stephen A. added.
"No one questions anything other than you haven't won a Super Bowl."
Stephen A. then had further criticism of Harbaugh of his poor playoff record in recent years.
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"Why do you only have three playoff victories in the last 11 years when in least the last five or six years you've had Lamar Jackson?" the ESPN star said.
"How come you don't have more?"
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