ESPN First Take co-host Stephen A. Smith has no filter. So when Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler exited Sunday’s game against the Cardinals with a hamstring injury, he took to Twitter and weighed in.
OMG! Did y’all here the terrible news? Jay Cutler had to leave the game — after throwing an INT! Awww! I hope he’s okay:/). #WasteOfTimeQB
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) September 20, 2015
There are a lot of things wrong with that tweet. It’s pretty clear that Smith’s comment was snarky, and was not submitted to express genuine concern about the Bears quarterback’s health. Furthermore, the extent of Cutler’s injury is unknown at the current time, so it’s not a good look to attempt to inject humor into the situation.
Some of Smith’s colleagues at ESPN sure didn’t find his tweet funny.
@SarahSpain completely agree. U may not think a player is a quality player, but this is a vicious game and injuries r nothing to trivialize — Tom Waddle (@TWaddle87) September 20, 2015
Good lord, he might be really hurt. https://t.co/ywWeszXVfW
— Robert Flores (@RoFloESPN) September 20, 2015
Smith mocked Cutler for throwing another interception, but the injury was sustained on a tackle attempt. Cutler could’ve stood and watched as Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson returned his interception for an easy touchdown, but instead elected to try and tackle him. It didn’t work. and he ended up hurting himself on the play, but it’s unfair to knock him when he clearly put forth effort to try and stop Jefferson from scoring.
This was likely another pathetic attempt by Smith to generate a reaction from the public, and the Twitterverse wasted no time in letting him know how they felt about the tweet.
Cutler has a wife and kids who actually DO hope he’s okay. Stay classy though. https://t.co/houCONMtiH
— Tanya Ray Fox (@TanyaRayFox) September 20, 2015
I’m not a Cutler guy, but you’re garbage. So there’s that, too. #WasteOfTimeAnalyst https://t.co/QjM3Ll61KK
— Jeff Krause (@DFBJeff) September 20, 2015
You have to wonder when ESPN will finally step in and put an end to Smith’s nonsense, as fans and media members alike are clearly not amused by it.
At what point do you finally say “enough is enough,” ESPN? It’s time for Smith to be held accountable for his trolling, sometimes sadistic, behavior.