Stephen A. Smith REQUESTS NHL fans to “relax” after controversial comments on NY Rangers at First Take

Stephen A. Smith was slammed by NHL fans after he stated he doesn’t care about hockey along with co-star Molly Qerim during the live show.

Stephen A. Smith REQUESTS NHL fans to “relax” after controversial comments on NY Rangers at First Take

Stephen A. Smith [Image Credit: The Guardian]

Stephen A. Smith’s comment on NY Rangers enraged the NHL fans during the live show on First Take. The exchange between him and his co-star Molly Qerim was slammed as “disrespectful” by fans after the duo expressed their disinterest in the sport.

The duo implied that they only care about sports like baseball, basketball, and football as major sports. The controversial question arose when Smith asked their guest Michael Kay, New York Yankees broadcaster, which team he thought will win the championship next.

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To this question, Kay answered it would probably be the New York Rangers to which Qerim replied, “They don’t count!”. Fans took this comment as an insult to the sport, especially the NY fans who took immediate action, expressing their disappointment on social media.

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Stephen A. Smith slammed by fans for disrespectful comments on NY Rangers

Stephen A. Smith [Image Credit: USA Today FTW]
Stephen A. Smith [Image Credit: USA Today FTW]

The controversial fire spread more as Stephen A. Smith added, “Only thing I know about hockey is that the puck is black – and I love [NHL Commissioner] Gary Bettman”. The comments were during the Live First Take show in which the fans slammed the hosts as “embarrassing” and “disrespectful”.

The fans were more heated as NHL returned to ESPN after a 16-year break for the 2021-22 season. Stephen addressed the fans on Thursday by posting a video on the social media platform. He requested the fans to calm down and relax. 

To support his comments he stated that he is backing New York Knicks more because they’ve been deprived of a championship for a long period of time. Compared to NY Rangers who won the championship a few years back, Knicks have been barren for a long time.

“I was having a good time, having fun. Gary Bettman is my friend, okay?” “Relax y’all. Relax. I understand the Rangers are all that”. “But they got a championship since 1994. It’s them d**n Knicks that haven’t won since 1973.”

“I’m sure you can understand why I’m aching a little bit more for the Knicks than the Rangers, okay? Marc Messier erased that 40-year curse, alright? or 50 years?” “Bottom line is this: The Rangers have a championship more recently than my New York Knicks.

“But I root for all things New York. And that includes the Rangers. So guess what Rangers fans? Calm down!” According to The Sun, Stephen appeared to be a bit provocative this week. 

Earlier he snored as Qerim was talking about an upcoming segment, to which the lady replied “I actually find that disrespectful”. Whether Stephen is under the weather or not, his comments did provoke NHL fans and ones that may not sweep the issue under rags soon especially as the Stanley Cup run will begin.

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