The National Association of Black Journalists held a convention in Atlanta on Saturday, and the organization revealed it had a bone to pick with Stephen A. Smith.
Smith, the ESPN star and host of First Take, won one of the NABJ’s “Thumbs Down” awards given to individuals or institutions conducting “especially insensitive, racist or stereotypical reporting, commentary, photography or cartooning about the Black community or for engaging in practices at odds with the goals of NABJ.”
Along with Smith, the NABJ handed out “Thumbs Down” awards to FCC chairman Brendan Carr, CBS News, DuJuan McCoy (owner of Circle City Broadcasting/WISH-TV), and The Washington Post.
The NABJ described Smith as both a sports personality and “political commentator” given his ventures on SiriusXM and his independent podcast.
“Smith has established a recurring public pattern of disparaging commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports, and media,” the organization said on Saturday. “Such commentary reinforces harmful narratives, undermines the fair and respectful representation of Black women in public discourse, and stands in direct conflict with NABJ’s longstanding commitment to accurate, responsible, and inclusive portrayals of Black communities.”
It didn’t take long for Smith to issue his initial response to the NABJ, posting on social media late Saturday night that the organization has “started something.”
This is the epitome of Christmas arriving early. The @NABJ wants to call folks out, fine! You had your turn, now mine is coming. And make no mistake…..,I’m coming. Let’s see who REALLY deserves a Thumbs Down award when it comes to the Black Community, afterI say my peace!… https://t.co/ccE03ksAO1
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) August 16, 2026
“This is the epitome of Christmas arriving early,” Smith wrote. “The @NABJ wants to call folks out, fine! You had your turn, now mine is coming. And make no mistake…..,I’m coming. Let’s see who REALLY deserves a Thumbs Down award when it comes to the Black Community, afterI say my peace [sic]! Remember @NABJ, you asked for it. I’ve shut my mouth for years. Now y’all started something.”
The NABJ’s decision to award Smith a “Thumbs Down” surprised some given Smith’s past support of the organization. The ESPN star even hosted an episode of First Take live from the convention in 2024. Disney, ESPN’s parent company, also has a partnership with the NABJ.
But Smith’s venture into politics has come a long way in the two years since bringing his ESPN show to NABJ, and the organization clearly believes his political commentary has crossed a threshold that harms Black women, as it indicated while giving out the award.
It is unclear exactly what instances the NABJ is referring to with regard to Smith’s apparent harmful commentary. Smith himself clearly disagrees with that characterization, and it would seem we’ll be hearing him address the NABJ’s decision in just a matter of time.
About Drew Lerner
Drew Lerner is a staff writer for Awful Announcing and an aspiring cable subscriber. He previously covered sports media for Sports Media Watch. Future beat writer for the Oasis reunion tour.