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Whether you love him or hate him, Stephen A. Smith has never backed down from speaking his mind. And when it comes to former Pittsburgh Steelers safety turned sports analyst Ryan Clark being laid off by ESPN, fans knew Smith would have something to say.
Following Clark's departure from ESPN, Smith took to his YouTube channel and posted a heartfelt response to the shocking news.
"My brother, Ryan Clark, a person that I consider to be arguably the best NFL analyst in America, is no longer a member of ESPN," Smith said. "I can't even tell y'all how much that hurts. … I'm going to miss him. I'm not happy about this decision one bit. The bosses know I'm not happy about this decision. I've made that very, very clear. But it's also important that myself and anybody in the world of business be grown-ups and understand that these are the kind of things that happen when layoffs happen."
Smith continued and told viewers how much Clark meant to him before defending ESPN amid the wave of layoffs.
"When we think about ESPN, first of all, let me be very, very clear," Smith said. "I can disagree with my employers. What you're not going to get me to do is insult my employers. Business is business. And whether we like it or not, those people who made the decision, whether it's Ryan Clark or a host of other people, are paid to make those decisions."
Smith pointed out that ESPN actually laid off far fewer employees this go-around than in other years, such as when 400 employees were cut in May 2013. He also called on other networks to hire Clark, which actually relates to our Steelers Wire prediction of seven landing spots for the former safety turned analyst.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Stephen A. Smith reacts to ESPN laying off former Steelers safety Ryan Clark
Continue reading...
Following Clark's departure from ESPN, Smith took to his YouTube channel and posted a heartfelt response to the shocking news.
"My brother, Ryan Clark, a person that I consider to be arguably the best NFL analyst in America, is no longer a member of ESPN," Smith said. "I can't even tell y'all how much that hurts. … I'm going to miss him. I'm not happy about this decision one bit. The bosses know I'm not happy about this decision. I've made that very, very clear. But it's also important that myself and anybody in the world of business be grown-ups and understand that these are the kind of things that happen when layoffs happen."
Smith continued and told viewers how much Clark meant to him before defending ESPN amid the wave of layoffs.
"When we think about ESPN, first of all, let me be very, very clear," Smith said. "I can disagree with my employers. What you're not going to get me to do is insult my employers. Business is business. And whether we like it or not, those people who made the decision, whether it's Ryan Clark or a host of other people, are paid to make those decisions."
Smith pointed out that ESPN actually laid off far fewer employees this go-around than in other years, such as when 400 employees were cut in May 2013. He also called on other networks to hire Clark, which actually relates to our Steelers Wire prediction of seven landing spots for the former safety turned analyst.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Stephen A. Smith reacts to ESPN laying off former Steelers safety Ryan Clark
Continue reading...
