Wednesday on ESPN’s “First Take,” host Stephen A. Smith weighed in on President Donald Trump’s criticisms of the NFL’s National Anthem protests, saying his attempt at “retribution” stems from failing to become an owner in the NFL.
“The man is being petty [and] he’s being vindictive,” Smith stated. “And folks that don’t want to say that about the president, fine, I’ll do it for y’all. This is a vendetta that this guy continues to exercise against the National Football League. I have spoken to owners, I have spoken to executives, even to some players who adamantly agree with that position. He did not get to own a team in the ’80s after suing the league for the USFL, he did not get to own the Buffalo Bills in 2014 like he was in pursuit of.”
Smith added that the owners who blocked him from becoming an owner are “primarily responsible” for Trump becoming president — not his voters.
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