Stephen A. Smith goes off over Gruden report
Stephen A. Smith is an expert at finding the perfect string of bombastic words to express himself, but Smith briefly hit critical mass on Tuesday's episode of First Take while blasting the prospect of ESPN co-worker Jon Gruden returning to the Raiders and receiving an ownership stake in the team.
The Raiders are reportedly set to announce that Gruden, who hasn't coached in the NFL since the 2008 season, will return to Oakland to replace Jack Del Rio. According to ESPN, the Raiders could offer Gruden a stake in team, though the deal would have to be approved by other NFL owners.
Smith prefaced his take by stating he doesn't like talk about his colleagues in public, and that he's a fan of the Monday Night Football commentator.
"I am a fan of Jon Gruden. I think he does an outstanding job for us, [I'm] honored to call him a colleague.
…. Jon Gruden does not deserve an ownership stake in an NFL franchise, not unless he's coming out of pocket with his own money and investing, and they vet you and let you in. He does not deserve to have an ownership stake in a franchise. It should not be allowed."
Smith's voice got higher and higher as he listed off the coaches who do not currently own a slice of a team, and he eventually
"If you want to give Jon Gruden the coaching job for the Oakland Raiders, no problem. He had success there, never had a losing season, had two winning seasons…. Jon Gruden's a hell of a football mind, give him the damn job and that's fine. But ownership? Does Bill Belichick have an ownership stake? Does Bill Parcells have an ownership stake? Does Mike Tomlin have an ownership stake? Did Tony Dungy have an ownership stake?
…. I'm sorry. The first time in NFL history that a coach gets an ownership stake is Jon Gruden? Really?! Nah, that can't happen."
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