New England Patriots

ESPN Pulls Stephen A. Smith from Lineup for a Week

Stephen A. Smith will not be on ESPN’s First Take or ESPN Radio for the next week. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith will not appear on First Take or ESPN Radio for the next week, ESPN said in a statement.

Smith, a regular contributor on both shows, came under criticism for comments he made on First Take that suggested women have some responsibility to avoid domestic abuse. His comments were a response to the NFL’s two-game suspension of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, who was charged with assault after he knocked out his then-fiancée in an elevator.

Smith attempted to clarify his comments on Twitter shortly after, and issued an on-air apology Monday morning.

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