Fri Jan 03 14:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Stephen A. Smith Slams Ryan Clark for Deleting Post on Lamar Jackson’s Underrated Status
**NEW YORK, NY** – ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith expressed his anger at fellow analyst Ryan Clark for deleting a social media post discussing Lamar Jackson’s status as an “underappreciated” quarterback. The initial post, made while Clark sat in Smith’s chair on *First Take*, sparked a debate that quickly veered into discussions of race and the historical biases faced by Black quarterbacks in the NFL.
Clark argued that Jackson’s success builds upon the legacies of other Black quarterbacks like Randall Cunningham, Michael Vick, and Cam Newton, who faced skepticism about their ability to play the position at a high level. He contended that Jackson’s success, culminating in a Super Bowl victory, would finally silence those doubts.
However, Clark’s argument excluded Patrick Mahomes, prompting criticism. Smith, while agreeing with Clark’s central point about the historical biases faced by Black quarterbacks, criticized Clark for deleting the post after facing backlash. Smith vehemently argued that Clark’s point was valid; that the historical scrutiny surrounding Black quarterbacks’ intellect and ability to read defenses was absent in the case of white quarterbacks. He contended that while Clark’s articulation may have been imperfect, the core message – that Jackson’s success would be a significant step forward in challenging these long-held prejudices – was entirely correct.
Smith’s frustration stemmed from the perceived erasure of a crucial discussion about race and the NFL. He believes deleting the post allowed critics to focus on the omission of Mahomes, rather than engaging with the broader issue of systemic biases. Ultimately, Smith declared his support for Clark’s initial statement, asserting that a Super Bowl win by Jackson would definitively settle the question of whether a mobile, athletic quarterback can succeed at the highest level.
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