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ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith apologized overnight after receiving backlash for his remarks about the use of an interpreter by Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani.
“I never intend to offend ANY COMMUNITY, especially the Asian community – and in particular SHOHEI Ohtani, himself,” Smith wrote in a apologies late Monday. “As an African American, well aware of the damage that stereotypes have done to many people in this country, it should have raised my sensitivity even more.”
“I fucked up,” he added. “In our time, with all the violence perpetrated against the Asian community, my comments – albeit unintentional – were clearly callous and regrettable.”
“I am sincerely sorry for the anguish I have caused with my comments.”
In a segment of ESPN’s morning talk show “First Take,” Smith said Monday that Ohtani, a Japanese Major League Baseball sensation who drew comparisons with Babe Ruth, couldn’t be the face of the sport. because it uses an interpreter.
“I understand that baseball is an international sport in and of itself in terms of participation, but when you talk about an audience that gravitates around the subway or the stadium, to actually watch you, I don’t think it helps that the face number a be a guy who needs an interpreter, so you can understand what he’s saying in this country, “he said on the show.
The criticism was swift. Smith first doubled down and clarified his comments in a video Monday afternoon, claiming he was “talking about marketing and promoting the sport” – sparking more anger on social media, including from his colleagues.
ESPN Daily Podcast host Pablo Torre responded to Smith’s comments Monday Twitter, writing that “maybe we shouldn’t be asking the most versatile player in recorded baseball history to cut up little bits of sound bites in English.”
And ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes responded to a Tweeter about Ohtani’s accomplishments, adding, “I’ll go ahead and say this translates into any language.”
ESPN did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.
Ohtani, a two-way Angels superstar, became the first Japanese-born player to compete in the MLB Home Run Derby on Monday. After playing Japanese professional baseball for several years, Ohtani signed with the Angels in 2017. He was also named the American League Rookie of the Year in 2018.
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