Stephen A. Smith blasts Raiders GM amid Derek Carr feud
The Stephen A. Smith-Derek Carr feud took another turn Friday thanks to the outspoken ESPN personality blasting Oakland Raiders general manager Mike Mayock over his defense of the quarterback’s fiery rhetoric.
The animosity between Smith and Carr after the Raiders QB took offense to criticismis of him espoused by Smith and his “First Take” co-host, Max Kellerman. Carr fired off a tweet in which he referred to the two as “clowns” and asked UFC boss Dana White to arrange a fight in the Octagon with them.
@ufc @danawhite hey how do I challenge a couple of these clowns on tv to a fight? I think we should start a business together. Where pro athletes can challenge some of these people to an octagon fight until they give us an answer…. You don’t know me… stop lying.
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) January 23, 2019
Smith not surprisingly responded to Carr’s tweeted trash talk, both on social media, during a nearly two-minute rant on his radio show and in a “First Take” segment.
Hey @derekcarrqb…..I heard you had a few things to say. Consider this a personal invitation. You are more than welcome to come on @FirstTake or sit down with me for a 1-on-1. I’m here, Bro! Nobody hiding.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 24, 2019
"THEY DIDN'T LIVE IN ARCHDALE, NORTH CAROLINA, LIVING OFF TUNA FISH AND KOOL-AID, COVERING HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS FOR FREE FROM 7 TO MIDNIGHT."
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) January 25, 2019
This Stephen A rant made me laugh. pic.twitter.com/4RYpZySxdC
.@stephenasmith had time for Derek Carr tuh-day! pic.twitter.com/wUjmfmQbxP
— First Take (@FirstTake) January 24, 2019
Smith also humorously reacted to Bovada setting odds on a theoretical fight with Carr.
Wow! That’s real disrespectful to @derekcarrqb. The man is bigger, stronger and 24-years younger. He should have been given better odds 🙂 . So I guess heMll be reaching out to @danawhite to fight somebody else now!:-) https://t.co/rF2lFnIcsR
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 24, 2019
Mayock, just recently hired by the Raiders, weighed in on Carr’s beef with Smith. The new general manager to no surprise backed Carr.
“I like our quarterback,” Mayock said of Carr. “I like the attitude.”
Mayock’s comment got Smith worked up into yet another lather, and he let the Raiders GM have it on Friday’s “First Take.” Smith’s issue with Mayock seemingly is highlighted by how Mayock was a media member himself just recently, having rose to prominence as a draft expert on NFL Network.
.@stephenasmith had a few things to get off his chest about Mike Mayock pic.twitter.com/aV0IwDkFeb
— First Take (@FirstTake) January 25, 2019
“You’re showing disrespect to an industry that helped you get to where you are,” Smith said. “And you got it because one of your boys is the $100 million man for a franchise that is allergic to prosperity for the last 20 years.”
There’s no telling where — or how absurd — the feud goes from here, but one thing is certain: It’s going to be amusing to watch.
