When Did Stephen A. Smith Get So Political? Here’s A Timeline
- As athlete activism increased, Smith's commentary expanded from sports to broader cultural and political issues
There was a time when mentioning Stephen A. Smith meant one thing: sports debates at 10 a.m., loud suits, louder takes, and “Stay off the weeeeeduh!” echoing through living rooms and barbershops across America. For a lot of folks, he was the ultimate sports uncle — passionate, dramatic, sometimes wrong, but always entertaining. We knew him as a face of ESPN’s debate culture. But somewhere along the way, the sports talk started blending with something else. Cable news hits. Political commentary. Presidential interviews. Even whispers about him possibly running for office one day.
So when did that happen? When did Stephen A. go from arguing about LeBron’s legacy to talking about the presidency? More importantly, was it random, or was it strategic?
To understand the shift, you have to remember how deeply rooted Stephen A. is in the world of sports journalism. He started as a newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News and The Philadelphia Inquirer, grinding the old school way before television fame ever called. His early ESPN run in the 2000s made him a household name on shows like Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith. After a brief exit from the network in 2009, he returned in 2012 to join First Take — and that’s when everything exploded. Alongside Skip Bayless, later Shannon Sharpe, and others, Stephen A. helped turn First Take into appointment television. Love him or hate him, he became the most recognizable face in sports debate.
But here’s the thing: sports and politics have never really been separate, especially not in the last decade. When athletes started speaking out more — from Colin Kaepernick kneeling to the NBA’s response to social justice movements — sports shows had to cover more than box scores. Stephen A. didn’t shy away. In fact, he leaned in. He gave strong opinions on protests, elections, presidential leadership, and race in America. At first, it felt like commentary adjacent to sports. Then it became bigger. He began appearing regularly on networks like Fox News and other political platforms, debating lawmakers and discussing national issues. That’s when people started noticing: this wasn’t just a sports guy giving context anymore. This was someone clearly comfortable in political arenas.
As his platform grew, so did the speculation. Stephen A. interviewed presidential candidates. He publicly criticized both Republicans and Democrats. He spoke about leadership, accountability, and what he believed America needed. In 2022 and 2023, his political commentary became more frequent — not accidental, but intentional. And then came the comments that really got people talking: suggestions that if the right situation presented itself, he wouldn’t rule out running for office. Some laughed it off. Others weren’t so sure. Because one thing about Stephen A. — he doesn’t speak lightly.
Now, whether this evolution is about the influence, ambition, responsibility, or simply using his voice more broadly — that’s up for debate. But what’s not debatable is that the shift happened in real time. From sports analyst to cultural commentator to potential political figure, Stephen A. has expanded his lane. To really understand how we got here, you have to look at the moments that built this version of him. So let’s break it down.
THE TIMELINE: STEPHEN A. SMITH’S POLITICAL PIVOT
2007-2009: First Political Hints On ESPN
During his early ESPN years, Stephen A. occasionally touched on politics when it intersected with sports — particularly around race and athlete activism. At the time, it felt like context rather than ambition. But it showed he was never afraid to step outside pure sports analysis.
2012: Return To ESPN & Rise Of Cultural Commentary
After rejoining ESPN and co-hosting First Take, his platform grew massively. As athlete activism increased in the mid-2010s, Stephen A. began giving more detailed opinions on political and social issues tied to sports. This is where the tone subtly shifted from “sports debate” to “sports and society.”
2016: Presidential Election Commentary
During the 2016 election cycle, Stephen A. openly discussed Donald Trump, Hilary Clinton, and the political climate on ESPN and beyond. While still primarily a sports personality, he made it clear he had strong views about national leadership.
2017-2020: Regular Cable News Appearances
Stephen A. began appearing on Fox News and other political programs, debating politicians and commentators. This marked a major turning point. He wasn’t just reacting to sports stories anymore — he was debating policy, race relations, and party leadership directly.
2020: Strong Political Takes During Social Justice Protests
Following the deaths of George Floyd and others, Stephen A. used his platform to speak extensively about systemic racism, policing, and voting. His commentary extended far beyond the sports lens, establishing him as a broader cultural voice.
2021: Interviews With Political Figures
Stephen A. interviewed elected officials and began positioning himself as someone capable of holding politicians accountable in long-form conversations. This wasn’t a hot take segment — this was political dialogue.
2022: Open Criticism Of Democratic Leadership
He publicly criticized the Democratic Party’s messaging and leadership, arguing they were out of touch with certain communities. This is when speculation about his own political future began to circulate more seriously.
2023: “I Wouldn’t Rule It Out” Comments
Stephen A. made headlines after stating that if he believed he could make a difference, he wouldn’t rule out running for office one day. He clarified he wasn’t campaigning — but he didn’t shut the door either. That nuance mattered.
2024-Present: Expanded Political Platform
His political commentary continues across television, podcasts, and public appearances. While still the face of First Take, Stephen A. has clearly carved out a secondary lane in political discourse. Whether that leads to a formal campaign remains to be seen — but the foundation has been undeniably laid.
At the end of the day, Stephen A. Smith didn’t “suddenly” get political. The seeds were always there. What changed was the platform, the climate, and maybe his own sense of responsibility — or possibility. The real question now isn’t when he went political. It’s whether this is just commentary…or the beginning of something bigger.
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