ESPN's Stephen A. Smith Issues Apology for Domestic Violence Rant [Updated]

Says it was the 'most egregious error' of his career

UPDATE: ESPN announced Tuesday that Stephen A. Smith will be off First Take and ESPN Radio until Aug. 6.

Calling himself “foolish” and “wrong,” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith apologized Monday for suggesting women may “provoke” domestic violence.

In a cold opening of ESPN2’s First Take program, Smith and ESPN tried to put a damper on the social media fire that’s been swirling since Smith made his incendiary comments Friday in a segment about the NFL only suspending Baltimore Ravens star Ray Rice two games for knocking out his then fiancee, now wife, at an Atlantic City hotel in February.

Describing it as the “most egregious error” of his career, Smith said he’s long spoken out against domestic violence.

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