June 13--ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith is once again apologizing, this time for a comment he made on air about the FIFA Women's World Cup.
During a rundown of the top 10 list on "SportsCenter" on Thursday night, Smith made a comment during the No. 6 spot, which was a free kick goal scored by Norway against Germany.
Some defending players appeared to turn their heads away as the ball was coming at them.
"They might not have wanted to mess their hairdo," Smith said.
Those offended by his comment included coworkers, who expressed their displeasure on Twitter.
hey @stephenasmith, your many female colleagues really don't appreciate you making sexist jokes on air. http://t.co/Ery1Ng4QIR
-- Megan Greenwell (@megreenwell) June 12, 2015
What happens when you're uneducated about something, don't get educated, but talk about it anyway? --> http://t.co/ZthyoQHhts
-- Kate Fagan (@katefagan3) June 12, 2015
It seems Smith could feel the backlash the comment generated, so on Friday, he took to Twitter and said he was sorry.
1-of-3: Folks, as usual, something I've said is gaining steam so let me address this right now: on @SportsCenter, doing highlights, I made a
-- Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 12, 2015
Flip comment in fun about a women's soccer team not wanting to mess up their hair. Obviously, my comments were in poor taste. I have nothing
-- Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 12, 2015
But the utmost respect for athletes of all genders -- Especially since most are better than I'll ever be -- so please KNOW I'm very sorry.
-- Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 12, 2015
I apologize. It certainly was not my intent to offend anyone.
-- Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 12, 2015
In a statement, ESPN said, "We discussed this with Stephen A. last night and he understands the comments were wrong."
This is not the first time Smith has apologized for an offensive on-air comment pertaining to women.
Last July, Smith was suspended by ESPN for one week over statements he made that seemed to insinuate women sometimes provoke domestic violence, following the Ray Rice scandal.
Smith apologized, calling the comments the "most egregious error of my career."
