Sports and news commentator Stephen A. Smith receives a “Thumbs Down” award from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and publicly criticizes the organization in response. Multiple outlets report that NABJ’s action is tied to Smith’s on-air and public commentary, which the group says has been disparaging toward black women.
After the award, Smith calls NABJ’s decision offensive and characterizes it as a “hit job,” saying it is not based on fair journalism. He also vows to confront NABJ, and several reports note he tells the group he is “coming.” Different outlets focus on how Smith frames the dispute—some describing his language as an attack on NABJ’s process or motives, while others emphasize the group’s stated basis for the award.
Across coverage, NABJ’s concerns about Smith’s commentary on black women and its view of his increasingly political platform are presented as the main context for the “Thumbs Down” citation. Smith disputes the premise and links the award to broader political disagreements, according to some reports.
