In the aftermath of Wednesday's layoffs at ESPN, many took to Twitter to criticize Stephen A. Smith and question why he wasn't let go as well.
Among them was former Sports Illustrated writer and best-selling author Jeff Pearlman, who argued ESPN's decision to keep Smith was indicative of "the decline of good journalism."
On @stephenasmith, a $3.5 million contract and good @espn employees being canned left, right. Farewell, journalism ... pic.twitter.com/jYyOYbD0aA
— jeffpearlman (@jeffpearlman) April 26, 2017
The "First Take" host delivered an impassioned response Thursday on his radio show, slamming Pearlman and others who took issue with ESPN keeping him on.
"I came up in this industry at a time where you had to be a journalist," Smith said (starts at the 6:48 mark). "You had to break stories. You had to break news to elevate your career to get to a certain point and a certain level in this business before you even had the license to give your opinion, especially if you were a black man.
"Mr. Pearlman's not black, maybe that's why he doesn't understand where I'm coming from. Maybe that's why he's so quick to talk about what I have deserved ... My credentials speak for themselves. I'm so sick and tired of people thinking they can come at me. That's why I'm so happy I have a radio show, because let me tell you something right now: if you want to talk credentials, name the time and place and I'll show up."
- With h/t to the Big Lead
