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Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes
AN NAACP IMAGE AWARD NOMINEE
America’s most popular sports media figure tells it like it is in this “raw, deeply authentic, and immensely entertaining” (Bob Iger, #1 New York Times bestselling author and CEO of The Walt Disney Company) book, not only dishing out his signature, uninhibited opinions but also revealing the challenges he overcame in childhood as well as at ESPN.
Stephen A. Smith has never been handed anything, nor was he an overnight success. Growing up poor in Queens, the son of Caribbean immigrants and the youngest of six children, he was a sports-obsessed kid who faced struggles, from undiagnosed dyslexia to getting enough cereal to fill his bowl. As a basketball player at Winston-Salem State University, he got a glimmer of his true calling when he wrote a newspaper column arguing for the retirement of his own Hall of Fame coach, Clarence Gaines.
Smith hustled and rose up from a reporter on the high school beat at Daily News (New York) to a general sports columnist at The Philadelphia Inquirer before getting his own show at ESPN in 2005. After he was unceremoniously fired from the network in 2009, he became even more determined to fight for success. He got himself rehired two years later and, with his razor-sharp intelligence and fearless debate style, found the show he was destined to star First Take, the network’s flagship morning program.
In Straight Shooter, Smith writes about the greatest highs and deepest lows of his life and career. He gives his thoughts on Skip Bayless, Ray Rice, Colin Kaepernick, the New York Knicks, the Dallas Cowboys, and former President Donald Trump. But he also pulls back the curtain and talks about life beyond the set, sharing authentic stories about his negligent father, his loving mother, being a father himself, his battle with life-threatening COVID-19, and what he really thinks about politics and social issues. He does it all with the same intelligence, humor, and charm that has made him a household name.
A provocative and moving “blueprint of tenacity” (Fat Joe), this book is the perfect gift for lovers of sports, television, and anyone who likes their stories delivered straight to the heart.
America’s most popular sports media figure tells it like it is in this “raw, deeply authentic, and immensely entertaining” (Bob Iger, #1 New York Times bestselling author and CEO of The Walt Disney Company) book, not only dishing out his signature, uninhibited opinions but also revealing the challenges he overcame in childhood as well as at ESPN.
Stephen A. Smith has never been handed anything, nor was he an overnight success. Growing up poor in Queens, the son of Caribbean immigrants and the youngest of six children, he was a sports-obsessed kid who faced struggles, from undiagnosed dyslexia to getting enough cereal to fill his bowl. As a basketball player at Winston-Salem State University, he got a glimmer of his true calling when he wrote a newspaper column arguing for the retirement of his own Hall of Fame coach, Clarence Gaines.
Smith hustled and rose up from a reporter on the high school beat at Daily News (New York) to a general sports columnist at The Philadelphia Inquirer before getting his own show at ESPN in 2005. After he was unceremoniously fired from the network in 2009, he became even more determined to fight for success. He got himself rehired two years later and, with his razor-sharp intelligence and fearless debate style, found the show he was destined to star First Take, the network’s flagship morning program.
In Straight Shooter, Smith writes about the greatest highs and deepest lows of his life and career. He gives his thoughts on Skip Bayless, Ray Rice, Colin Kaepernick, the New York Knicks, the Dallas Cowboys, and former President Donald Trump. But he also pulls back the curtain and talks about life beyond the set, sharing authentic stories about his negligent father, his loving mother, being a father himself, his battle with life-threatening COVID-19, and what he really thinks about politics and social issues. He does it all with the same intelligence, humor, and charm that has made him a household name.
A provocative and moving “blueprint of tenacity” (Fat Joe), this book is the perfect gift for lovers of sports, television, and anyone who likes their stories delivered straight to the heart.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 17, 2023
278 people are currently reading
7565 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 411 reviews
January 17, 2023
he is my prince Harry
January 17, 2023
I’ll be the first to admit: I’m not a fan of Stephen A. Smith. If I turn on ESPN and he’s on, I will immediately change the channel. So, I was surprised that I won an ARC of his new memoir “Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes.” I honestly don’t remember entering the giveaway on @goodreads, so it was a genuine shock when I opened the package. But like any avid reader and continuous learner, I went into the book with an open mind. I’m so glad that I did. I learned a lot about what makes him tick…what makes him so set in his ways, opinions, and ideas. I walked a mile in his shoes and can respect him more. Will I be tuning in to watch him? Probably not. However, I did thoroughly enjoy his book. It made me laugh; it made me cry; it made me shake my head in disbelief. Stephen A. definitely told it like it is, even if it meant calling out his family members.
January 22, 2023
An intimate self-portrait by a man whom I’ve admired and followed for years. In this short memoir, we get to learn more about how Stephen A. became the man he is today. What shaped his life, his path, and where he is going. Can’t wait to see what the future holds!
February 23, 2024
This biography of SAS was quite interesting to read. It’s nice to have a better understanding of what motivates Stephen A Smith & why he acts/speaks the way he does. I didn’t know he has a very close relationship with his family, especially his mother & his two daughters. Parts of the book kinda show that the rough around the edges Stephen A really have a likable soft side. Many portions of the book really dives into his employment at ESPN & his work relationships his coworkers/cohosts… Overall, if you’re a fan of Stephen A, this biography is a must read.
January 26, 2023
Really it’s a 4.5/5, but goodreads won’t let me do that.
The -0.5 is purely for me catching strays at the end of the book as a Cowboys fan. Why -0.5? I subtracted 1/10 of a point for every Super Bowl ring the Dallas Football Cowboys have won. Love ya Stephen A.
The -0.5 is purely for me catching strays at the end of the book as a Cowboys fan. Why -0.5? I subtracted 1/10 of a point for every Super Bowl ring the Dallas Football Cowboys have won. Love ya Stephen A.
February 6, 2023
Hate him or love him. You gotta respect him. What a book. What a journey. And honestly, what an inspiration.
April 27, 2023
Being a guy, I tend to watch a lot of ESPN. During COVID I worked virtually and became a pretty avid watcher of it’s morning show, “First Take”. It’s hard not to be entertained by Stephen A. Smith’s over the top delivery that includes arguing, pontificating, self-promotion, and usually some really strong sports analysis and reflection. Even with his focus shifting more towards entertainment than debate, his show has been number one in the ratings for several years.
Now Smith has decided to write his own story (which interestingly enough was published the same month as Prince Harry’s own memoir, “Spare”). The title of Stephen A’s book is almost as big as his monologue – “Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes” – and a witty use of his show’s name.
I’ll be honest. As I read this book I really wanted to see how much Smith would let us behind the curtain of his public persona, and get exposure into his personal life. Truth be told, I have a lot of respect for Stephen A and what he’s accomplished. Even though I can get frustrated with him and his overzealous antics when he thinks he’s right, he is smart, fast on his feet, and can hold his own with anybody. I have especially appreciated his support for black colleges and other minority-based groups, as well as the moments that he has owned his mistakes and made sincere public apologies. In my mind, he has rightfully earned his success and I hoped to learn more about the factors behind it, what drove him, what things he did right, and what mistakes he made along the way.
The good news is that “Straight Shooter” delivered on that, and more. If you like watching Stephen A. on ESPN or providing analysis at sporting events (especially the NBA playoffs) you will really enjoy this book and his pulling back the curtain of his public persona to share his personal thoughts, fears, and biggest motivations. If you enjoy him from time to time or have a dislike for him, this book might just change your mind in a positive way that you won’t see coming.
Truth to be told, I was caught off-guard by Stephen’s memoir in many ways, but mostly by his honesty and willingness to share his lessons learned. Some of them were challenging and tough, and really helped provide a better understanding of who he is on television and why he acts the way he does. Is he brash? Yes. Is he outspoken? Yes. But does reading his experiences help you to reflect on your own mistakes, lessons learned, and family relationships. An absolute yes to that!
Stephen pulls no punches and holds nothing back in sharing the memoirs of his life. That is except for one area of his life, and that is the two mothers of his two daughters. Other than explaining why he’s never married, and giving them all kinds of love, he respectfully leaves them off-stage. Whether at their request, his choice, or a combination, it actually works out okay. Although, I really would have loved to have known more about them and their relationship with him, leaving them out was probably the right thing to do.
Everything else was open game and he willingly chose to use his experiences, mistakes, and lessons learned as an opportunity for us to learn from them and do better for ourselves, as well as provide some motivation for his readers to go shoot for the moon and achieve their own dreams. I know that sounds cheesy, but for me, his messages came across just fine.
Stephen A. shared his growing up in the Bronx, his tightknit family, his hero of a mother, and his challenging relationship with his father, who was not a very nice person (to say the least). How basketball got to a HBCU college, Winston-Salem State, and how a career ending injury led him into sports journalism. How his newspaper beat writing developed his strong network, and eventually led to his shot at ESPN. His rise on radio and television, and being fired in 2009 with a label of being too hard to work with.
This is where his story becomes even stronger, as he returned to FOX radio and rebuilt his image with some really hard lessons that needing learning. Even when he got his chance to return to ESPN, he made mistakes and ran into real conflicts, including an interview with Richard Sherman, his misspoken comments about Ray Rice, Ayesha Curry (Steph’s wife), Shohei Ohtani. Through these emotional and awareness building experiences, Stephen A. lets us experience his faults, his stubbornness that at times held him back, and an eventual a willingness to listen to those around him who told him what he needed to hear rather than false accolades. These chapters alone were worth the price of the book alone, which doesn’t even include his time spent struggling with max Kellerman on First Take or his near-death experience with COVID and pneumonia that forced him to rethink his priorities and family relationships.
I appreciated his honesty about his mistakes, taking ownership, and his lessons learned. He did not hold back from openly sharing his mistakes – and there were many of them along the way – and the tough lessons that came about as a result of them. His stubbornness to do it all himself and not trust those around him really stunted his growth and success at times. He lost out on opportunities at times to his own detriment. It was interesting to watch how his intelligence, drive, and desire, grew into wisdom when he started engaging, listening to, and trusting those around him who had his best interest in mind. Those were some mighty powerful lessons to learn the hard way.
Stephen A. could have held back and not fully shared as much as he did, but I give him credit for giving it his best shot. His passion for finding happiness in taking care of his family and thanking those who helped him on his journey were valuable for me. I found his personal journey very real, revealing, and left me reflecting on my own legacy and family relationships, especially that with my wife, children, and grandchildren.
On a personal note, the two biggest things that impacted in reading his memoir were these. One, his love, respect, and commitment to honoring his mother who sacrificed so much for him and his sisters was amazing. She led an inspired life and I have no doubt that she is in heaven now looking down on her family with a smile on her face. The second was his personal recognition for those around him and the positive influence they were on him. He described their strengths and support for him, many times when he didn’t deserve it. There’s too many to name (his Acknowledgements at the end of the book run 10 pages), but I appreciated that he remembered and pointed out those personal strengths and behaviors in others. It was recognition well deserved.
Thank you, Stephen A., for fully opening up yourself and sharing your life story in such a reflective and revealing manner. For me, the humanity shined through.
I may be biased, and if so, I am okay with it. This was a 5-star read.
P.S. I have thought for several years that you would eventually be a late-night host of your television show. Now I am absolutely sure of it.
Now Smith has decided to write his own story (which interestingly enough was published the same month as Prince Harry’s own memoir, “Spare”). The title of Stephen A’s book is almost as big as his monologue – “Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes” – and a witty use of his show’s name.
I’ll be honest. As I read this book I really wanted to see how much Smith would let us behind the curtain of his public persona, and get exposure into his personal life. Truth be told, I have a lot of respect for Stephen A and what he’s accomplished. Even though I can get frustrated with him and his overzealous antics when he thinks he’s right, he is smart, fast on his feet, and can hold his own with anybody. I have especially appreciated his support for black colleges and other minority-based groups, as well as the moments that he has owned his mistakes and made sincere public apologies. In my mind, he has rightfully earned his success and I hoped to learn more about the factors behind it, what drove him, what things he did right, and what mistakes he made along the way.
The good news is that “Straight Shooter” delivered on that, and more. If you like watching Stephen A. on ESPN or providing analysis at sporting events (especially the NBA playoffs) you will really enjoy this book and his pulling back the curtain of his public persona to share his personal thoughts, fears, and biggest motivations. If you enjoy him from time to time or have a dislike for him, this book might just change your mind in a positive way that you won’t see coming.
Truth to be told, I was caught off-guard by Stephen’s memoir in many ways, but mostly by his honesty and willingness to share his lessons learned. Some of them were challenging and tough, and really helped provide a better understanding of who he is on television and why he acts the way he does. Is he brash? Yes. Is he outspoken? Yes. But does reading his experiences help you to reflect on your own mistakes, lessons learned, and family relationships. An absolute yes to that!
Stephen pulls no punches and holds nothing back in sharing the memoirs of his life. That is except for one area of his life, and that is the two mothers of his two daughters. Other than explaining why he’s never married, and giving them all kinds of love, he respectfully leaves them off-stage. Whether at their request, his choice, or a combination, it actually works out okay. Although, I really would have loved to have known more about them and their relationship with him, leaving them out was probably the right thing to do.
Everything else was open game and he willingly chose to use his experiences, mistakes, and lessons learned as an opportunity for us to learn from them and do better for ourselves, as well as provide some motivation for his readers to go shoot for the moon and achieve their own dreams. I know that sounds cheesy, but for me, his messages came across just fine.
Stephen A. shared his growing up in the Bronx, his tightknit family, his hero of a mother, and his challenging relationship with his father, who was not a very nice person (to say the least). How basketball got to a HBCU college, Winston-Salem State, and how a career ending injury led him into sports journalism. How his newspaper beat writing developed his strong network, and eventually led to his shot at ESPN. His rise on radio and television, and being fired in 2009 with a label of being too hard to work with.
This is where his story becomes even stronger, as he returned to FOX radio and rebuilt his image with some really hard lessons that needing learning. Even when he got his chance to return to ESPN, he made mistakes and ran into real conflicts, including an interview with Richard Sherman, his misspoken comments about Ray Rice, Ayesha Curry (Steph’s wife), Shohei Ohtani. Through these emotional and awareness building experiences, Stephen A. lets us experience his faults, his stubbornness that at times held him back, and an eventual a willingness to listen to those around him who told him what he needed to hear rather than false accolades. These chapters alone were worth the price of the book alone, which doesn’t even include his time spent struggling with max Kellerman on First Take or his near-death experience with COVID and pneumonia that forced him to rethink his priorities and family relationships.
I appreciated his honesty about his mistakes, taking ownership, and his lessons learned. He did not hold back from openly sharing his mistakes – and there were many of them along the way – and the tough lessons that came about as a result of them. His stubbornness to do it all himself and not trust those around him really stunted his growth and success at times. He lost out on opportunities at times to his own detriment. It was interesting to watch how his intelligence, drive, and desire, grew into wisdom when he started engaging, listening to, and trusting those around him who had his best interest in mind. Those were some mighty powerful lessons to learn the hard way.
Stephen A. could have held back and not fully shared as much as he did, but I give him credit for giving it his best shot. His passion for finding happiness in taking care of his family and thanking those who helped him on his journey were valuable for me. I found his personal journey very real, revealing, and left me reflecting on my own legacy and family relationships, especially that with my wife, children, and grandchildren.
On a personal note, the two biggest things that impacted in reading his memoir were these. One, his love, respect, and commitment to honoring his mother who sacrificed so much for him and his sisters was amazing. She led an inspired life and I have no doubt that she is in heaven now looking down on her family with a smile on her face. The second was his personal recognition for those around him and the positive influence they were on him. He described their strengths and support for him, many times when he didn’t deserve it. There’s too many to name (his Acknowledgements at the end of the book run 10 pages), but I appreciated that he remembered and pointed out those personal strengths and behaviors in others. It was recognition well deserved.
Thank you, Stephen A., for fully opening up yourself and sharing your life story in such a reflective and revealing manner. For me, the humanity shined through.
I may be biased, and if so, I am okay with it. This was a 5-star read.
P.S. I have thought for several years that you would eventually be a late-night host of your television show. Now I am absolutely sure of it.
October 7, 2023
I like to "shoot straight" in my book reviews and I will do so regarding Straight Shooter, Stephen A. Smith's memoir. There was a lot for me to like about this book and also not like. In the past few years, I have really started to enjoy memoirs as a genre. I love a good started from the bottom story. I loved that he mentioned the importance of the opportunity he received going to an HBCU. Since he is a prominent voice in sports, the lifelong sports fan in me liked all the references to athletes and sport moments that he had a greater view of. I also could appreciate his struggle to make it despite his challenging relationship with his father and his focus on being the best father he could be, despite the time he had to be away working and providing.
I will state the negative with saying, when he first hit the scene at ESPN, I was a fan of his view point and fresh flavor. Over time, I because less of a fan. Some of those reasons were present in his book. There were some points where I felt the name dropping wasn't needed to tell the story or make a point. While he was very transparent in some place, I also felt he put spin on some of his missteps to protect his image. I also feel uneasy with his balancing blackness. He seemed to herald himself for being a black man who had risen in America and his going to an HBCU. He spoke of people like Ali, Jim Brown, John Thompson Jr... but then protected his friend Sean Hannity and critique Colin Kaepernick. Yes, he spoke of Coach Gaines at WSSU but he only touched the surface of why the HBCU experience was so great. He also seemed to downplay the speed bump racism can be for others.
The book is a testament to perseverance, hardworking, and building relationships. From Hollis to Hollywood... Stephen found his way to the top. Kudos for that. 3.5⭐️
I will state the negative with saying, when he first hit the scene at ESPN, I was a fan of his view point and fresh flavor. Over time, I because less of a fan. Some of those reasons were present in his book. There were some points where I felt the name dropping wasn't needed to tell the story or make a point. While he was very transparent in some place, I also felt he put spin on some of his missteps to protect his image. I also feel uneasy with his balancing blackness. He seemed to herald himself for being a black man who had risen in America and his going to an HBCU. He spoke of people like Ali, Jim Brown, John Thompson Jr... but then protected his friend Sean Hannity and critique Colin Kaepernick. Yes, he spoke of Coach Gaines at WSSU but he only touched the surface of why the HBCU experience was so great. He also seemed to downplay the speed bump racism can be for others.
The book is a testament to perseverance, hardworking, and building relationships. From Hollis to Hollywood... Stephen found his way to the top. Kudos for that. 3.5⭐️
May 17, 2023
You either love him or you hate him… And I’ve done both! As a lover of sports, I’ve watched Stephen A Smith on ESPN quite a lot. Back in the early days he would irritate me to no end, and I guess you could say I hated him most of the time. But as the years have gone on, I’ve come to see some of the reasonings in his opinions and I started agreeing with him a little more. He’s very passionate and a good debater, which is why his TV shows have done well. He is unapologetic. But he admits when he’s wrong and has, at times, had to apologize for his remarks. I knew I had to read this book when it came out. I’ve read a lot of sports memoirs, and I rank this one near the top. The chapters are short, but full of, insight into where he came from where he is now, and where he wants to be in the future. If I had to use one word to describe this man I would call him driven. I have no doubt he will succeed with every venture. He embarks on because failure is just not an option for him. There is only one thing he loves more than sports and that is his two daughters and his family. I really enjoyed this memoir and at 275 or so pages, it’s a quick read with its short chapters and great personal reflections.
February 18, 2024
I saw memoir, the cover, and immediately wanted to know who are you. This book is my first exposure to Stephen A. Smith. I won a hardback copy in a GoodReads Giveaway. Three stars is my standard on memoirs. I didn't choose to read his story and question the validity. I chose to hear what he wanted me to know. I found the audiobook on Libby with Smith narrating himself, picked it up and read along.
He swears a great deal. I am miffed that he can debate regularly sports on ESPN and not use foul language. The light switch stymies me: I'm at work, I'm not. I wonder who spoke in contract negotiations, firings, and meetings.
Smith works hard. He worked to achieve stardom and he continues this pace to maintain his status. My takeaway is that he will never relax, it's the nature of the business.
He swears a great deal. I am miffed that he can debate regularly sports on ESPN and not use foul language. The light switch stymies me: I'm at work, I'm not. I wonder who spoke in contract negotiations, firings, and meetings.
Smith works hard. He worked to achieve stardom and he continues this pace to maintain his status. My takeaway is that he will never relax, it's the nature of the business.
March 19, 2023
Straight Shooter by Stephen A. Smith.
A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes.
Stephen A. had to go through the punches and the knock downs before entering the ring of life a 2nd, 3rd and 4th time. Each knock down didn't end in a KO. He got back up and as he did learned more about the Corporate Heads he worked for, the Team Players he worked with, his Fan base (at times fluctuating but always there), and most importantly himself.
The #1 Corporate Head (of the family) and Stephen A.'s fan was his Mommy, Janet Smith. Stephen A. wrote frankly about the most heart breaking experiences of his childhood. Due to his Mom's loving advice bitterness did not get the best of him.
Basketball began to edge into his life and his heart while still living in Queens. Then onto Winston-Salem State University with being a baller on the court as his direction and his future. A devastating knee injury crushed those hopes for a future in basketball. At the same time as one door closed another opened for Stephen A. as a reporter on the New York Daily News and general sports columnist at the Philadelphia Inquirer. Of course, in between the injury and the reporting came Mommy's loving advice, "You're grown-move forward." That's the advice Stephen A. has kept with him through life thus far.
Speaking as a fan of sports and where First Take is now I enjoy it more than ever before. The athletes and commentators are on top of the game and keep Stephen A. hopping. I so enjoyed this book. It gave me more than a glimpse behind the scenes of sports and then some.
A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes.
Stephen A. had to go through the punches and the knock downs before entering the ring of life a 2nd, 3rd and 4th time. Each knock down didn't end in a KO. He got back up and as he did learned more about the Corporate Heads he worked for, the Team Players he worked with, his Fan base (at times fluctuating but always there), and most importantly himself.
The #1 Corporate Head (of the family) and Stephen A.'s fan was his Mommy, Janet Smith. Stephen A. wrote frankly about the most heart breaking experiences of his childhood. Due to his Mom's loving advice bitterness did not get the best of him.
Basketball began to edge into his life and his heart while still living in Queens. Then onto Winston-Salem State University with being a baller on the court as his direction and his future. A devastating knee injury crushed those hopes for a future in basketball. At the same time as one door closed another opened for Stephen A. as a reporter on the New York Daily News and general sports columnist at the Philadelphia Inquirer. Of course, in between the injury and the reporting came Mommy's loving advice, "You're grown-move forward." That's the advice Stephen A. has kept with him through life thus far.
Speaking as a fan of sports and where First Take is now I enjoy it more than ever before. The athletes and commentators are on top of the game and keep Stephen A. hopping. I so enjoyed this book. It gave me more than a glimpse behind the scenes of sports and then some.
May 4, 2023
I hadn’t known much about Stephen A., besides him going viral on Twitter and other social media outlets. I had always been attracted to his outlandish behavior (it’s just very interesting). This memoir sheds light on exactly why I was attracted and delves into Stephen A. Smiths many second chances to become the bombastic man he is today.
From learning deficits to becoming a father, this memoir gives us an intimate glimpse into Stephen A.’s life. I enjoyed learning some history behind ESPN’s top-rated shows, like what life was like in Hollis, Queens, for low-income families during the 1970s and 1980s. I hated his father, and I loved his daughters. His father wasn’t the easiest or most lovable parent, but I feel that when his daughters were born, he finally got the love he deserved and wanted from him.
The memoir had so much authenticity not only because he narrated it but also because he became vulnerable, especially when the book came around to the pandemic portion. We get the opportunity to walk a mile in this man's shoes, and I personally got to understand a Black man’s story in the sports industry. He has the ability to turn the negative things in life into a positive outlook, and I can always admire that in a person. I did want him to go into more detail about certain things in his personal life, but overall it was a great read, and I’d definitely recommend it to people who like sports, Stephen A. Smith, or celebrity memoirs.
4.5/5 ⭐️
From learning deficits to becoming a father, this memoir gives us an intimate glimpse into Stephen A.’s life. I enjoyed learning some history behind ESPN’s top-rated shows, like what life was like in Hollis, Queens, for low-income families during the 1970s and 1980s. I hated his father, and I loved his daughters. His father wasn’t the easiest or most lovable parent, but I feel that when his daughters were born, he finally got the love he deserved and wanted from him.
The memoir had so much authenticity not only because he narrated it but also because he became vulnerable, especially when the book came around to the pandemic portion. We get the opportunity to walk a mile in this man's shoes, and I personally got to understand a Black man’s story in the sports industry. He has the ability to turn the negative things in life into a positive outlook, and I can always admire that in a person. I did want him to go into more detail about certain things in his personal life, but overall it was a great read, and I’d definitely recommend it to people who like sports, Stephen A. Smith, or celebrity memoirs.
4.5/5 ⭐️
June 1, 2023
Okay so this was a book I listened to when I had nothing else to do. I would listen in 30 min increments because I was sick of SAS yelling at me (iykyk). This was 20% personal stories, 80% professional stories. Not that it was bad, but after a certain point I felt like I was reading a very drawn out resume.
May 1, 2023
Some good moments and great insights. Stephen A. Smith came out of Hollis, Queens in NYC and rose to the top of the sports entertainment world. And it is for that reason his journey is one of relevance. One of the standout things inside these pages is his overwhelming love and respect for his mother. He refrains from writing, “my mother this or that” and instead refers to her as “Mommy” throughout the book.
There is no better way to illustrate the depth of love than the “mommy” reference. Now, the father, whew. This is where the word candid takes center stage, Stephen A. pulled no punches here and the disdain he has for his dad is palpable. At times leaping off the page. It’s no wonder that he promised “mommy” he wouldn’t write his memoir until after her passing. I’m not sure she would have been 100% thrilled with Stephen A.’s discussion and descriptions of his father’s behavior, though it is seemingly honest.
The whole “airing dirty laundry” deal that families deftly try to avoid. Surely, “mommy” may have also been concerned about being judged for tolerating such a man for far too long. He writes with an engaging prose making his journey an enjoyable read. So as he takes us through HS, College and then the working world and finally a position at the Worldwide leader in Sports, ESPN. To learn that ESPN is no different from any other organization is a revelation. There are petty jealousies, backstabbing, opportunists swarming, waiting for someone to falter, and so there are various machinations behind the scenes which is instrumental in placing the faces on the screen. You, don’t have to be a fan of Stephen A. Smith, or sports to enjoy this read. If you want to be inspired by someone making something of himself, this would be a read for you.
There is no better way to illustrate the depth of love than the “mommy” reference. Now, the father, whew. This is where the word candid takes center stage, Stephen A. pulled no punches here and the disdain he has for his dad is palpable. At times leaping off the page. It’s no wonder that he promised “mommy” he wouldn’t write his memoir until after her passing. I’m not sure she would have been 100% thrilled with Stephen A.’s discussion and descriptions of his father’s behavior, though it is seemingly honest.
The whole “airing dirty laundry” deal that families deftly try to avoid. Surely, “mommy” may have also been concerned about being judged for tolerating such a man for far too long. He writes with an engaging prose making his journey an enjoyable read. So as he takes us through HS, College and then the working world and finally a position at the Worldwide leader in Sports, ESPN. To learn that ESPN is no different from any other organization is a revelation. There are petty jealousies, backstabbing, opportunists swarming, waiting for someone to falter, and so there are various machinations behind the scenes which is instrumental in placing the faces on the screen. You, don’t have to be a fan of Stephen A. Smith, or sports to enjoy this read. If you want to be inspired by someone making something of himself, this would be a read for you.
April 29, 2023
For anyone who knows me, they know I love me some Stephen A, so I owed it to him to read his recent memoir since I have probably spent more days of my life watching him on First Take than I'm proud to admit. I'm not gonna lie that some of my fondest childhood memories were watching him and Skip Bayless throw verbal haymakers at each other for hours 5 days a week over any topic under the sun.
I digress.... Regardless, I really enjoyed the first two thirds of the book regarding his difficult upbringing all the way to his days with Skip. The last third or so lost my interest with his on-air challenges with Max and the present set-up with the show. However, I think I have a much greater understanding of Stephen A now (which I would hope since I just read 270 pages about him haha) and will have a better understanding on his perspective moving forward. In closing, you may love him (like me) or hate him (@Hughes), but you got to give him the respect he as earned as the face of the World wide leader of sports for the last decade.
I digress.... Regardless, I really enjoyed the first two thirds of the book regarding his difficult upbringing all the way to his days with Skip. The last third or so lost my interest with his on-air challenges with Max and the present set-up with the show. However, I think I have a much greater understanding of Stephen A now (which I would hope since I just read 270 pages about him haha) and will have a better understanding on his perspective moving forward. In closing, you may love him (like me) or hate him (@Hughes), but you got to give him the respect he as earned as the face of the World wide leader of sports for the last decade.
July 2, 2023
Enjoyed getting to learn more about Stephen A’s come up story and how he got from humble beginning to one of the biggest sports personalities out there.
I was generally vibing with the book for a lot of it but it kind of falls off at a point and starts to feel like a PR piece, bragging about his resume and connections as well as spinning some of his controversial takes/moments to make him look better. For a book called straight shooter, it didn’t always feel like he was giving it to me straight?
I’d recommend reading the first 175 pages and then just hopping off when he starts going through his controversies.
I was generally vibing with the book for a lot of it but it kind of falls off at a point and starts to feel like a PR piece, bragging about his resume and connections as well as spinning some of his controversial takes/moments to make him look better. For a book called straight shooter, it didn’t always feel like he was giving it to me straight?
I’d recommend reading the first 175 pages and then just hopping off when he starts going through his controversies.
April 10, 2023
I hate autobiographies. They have to give a shoutout to everyone who helped them in their careers. Meaningless to the average reader. I wouldn’t say all this book was shoutouts but towards the end it is nauseating
December 23, 2023
Awful. He’s like a bad dude and even worse writer. Idk why I read this ha
January 25, 2024
I am not someone who normally would read a memoir, autobiography, or biography. This was an exception to that rule.
I happen to like listening to Stephen A Smith when he is commentating on sports and other current topics. I don't always agree with him, but I respect his right regarding his take on things. I believe he is honest and whether you like him or not, he is going to say what he wants, to be true to himself.
One of the things that was a bonus, a big reason that I was able to read this so quickly, and enjoy it so much, is that the whole time as I read, I heard his voice. It was as if he was relaying to me, in person, his life story.
From his beginnings as a youth growing up in Hollis, Queens to his now top commentator status, his highs and his lows, from his personal triumphs to his heartbreaking losses, it seemed like he was speaking the whole life trip to me. Stephen A actually made me feel some of his losses so deeply with his writing that I actually teared up.
I am glad I decided to read this memoir and may actually look at other memoirs with a more open mind.
I happen to like listening to Stephen A Smith when he is commentating on sports and other current topics. I don't always agree with him, but I respect his right regarding his take on things. I believe he is honest and whether you like him or not, he is going to say what he wants, to be true to himself.
One of the things that was a bonus, a big reason that I was able to read this so quickly, and enjoy it so much, is that the whole time as I read, I heard his voice. It was as if he was relaying to me, in person, his life story.
From his beginnings as a youth growing up in Hollis, Queens to his now top commentator status, his highs and his lows, from his personal triumphs to his heartbreaking losses, it seemed like he was speaking the whole life trip to me. Stephen A actually made me feel some of his losses so deeply with his writing that I actually teared up.
I am glad I decided to read this memoir and may actually look at other memoirs with a more open mind.
February 5, 2024
STAY OFF THE WEEEEEED!
Always great to listen to an American success story. I’ve heard tidbits of Stephen A’s upbringing when he has mentioned it on TV so it was interesting to see that in closer detail.
I’m particularly drawn to how he’s grown and how he called out the errors of his ways. He’s clearly not done with his career and it’ll be interesting to see how it all unfolds in the future. Clearly, Stephen A seems like a great person and a mentor to many.
Would recommend the audiobook that he voices-over if you can grab it.
Always great to listen to an American success story. I’ve heard tidbits of Stephen A’s upbringing when he has mentioned it on TV so it was interesting to see that in closer detail.
I’m particularly drawn to how he’s grown and how he called out the errors of his ways. He’s clearly not done with his career and it’ll be interesting to see how it all unfolds in the future. Clearly, Stephen A seems like a great person and a mentor to many.
Would recommend the audiobook that he voices-over if you can grab it.
March 13, 2023
Love him or hate him, Stephen A. Smith has risen from the ground up to get to where he is today. I didn't realize his history was going to be as sad as it was. I was a little surprised he didn't go into detail about why he chose to paint himself a certain way as a sports broadcaster but overall, well written and a fairly short book to breeze through.
April 30, 2023
What a book from what an incredible human being. The beginning of the book was heartbreaking and emotional, the middle was an incredible tale of power and determination, and the end was wise and enlightening.
Beginning: 💙 *****
Middle: 💙 ****
End: 💙 *****
I come out of this book loving Stephen A even more. My first 5 star book of the year!
Beginning: 💙 *****
Middle: 💙 ****
End: 💙 *****
I come out of this book loving Stephen A even more. My first 5 star book of the year!
January 10, 2024
staying true to his brutal honesty, SAS unashamedly details each of his major career mistakes with the lessons he learned to become, arguably, the most popular sports media figure today. you either love or hate him, but his undeniable work ethic is so inspiring (go cowboys!) 🕺
January 19, 2023
Amazing! I read the whole thing in his voice lol
Stephen A. I hope your assistant gets this message to you... This book is phenomenal! It is inspirational, heart breaking, hilarious (at times), and educational. I am a 26 year old woman, this is for your demographic analytics okay. I have been watching first take daily since 2020 peeping clips online all since I was a teen in highschool. I played sports and adore them all. Covid caused my job to let us work from home which gave me the freedom to watch the show at 10, and if I have a meeting I'll make sure to watch it on demand on the app. Why? Because something about your delivery, command, audacious takes felt so genuine and familiar. To me you seemed so much like the metaphor of the glass onion. Appearing one way, with your suits and self confidence, quick remarks, animated faces etc but all along the center is plain in sight. You're the dream! You made it. As a black women I could see that, but man I don't think anyone could know the true extent of your journey without reading this book. Molly said on the show a couple days ago that people will respect you more after this and I couldnt agree more! I'm a millennial and im typing this on my Kindle and im getting tired of that so I conclude with this, thank you for sharing your story! I am currently in a place where a lot of big opportunities are happening for me and it seems daunting. But you have inspired me! People don't really get there flowers til they are gone. One-day the world will recognize the historical contribution you have made for media, journalism, entertainment etc. So two things: the cowboys haven't won anything since I've been alive and keep your faith on TLaw cuz Duval coming for the AFC babbyyyyy! God bless.
Stephen A. I hope your assistant gets this message to you... This book is phenomenal! It is inspirational, heart breaking, hilarious (at times), and educational. I am a 26 year old woman, this is for your demographic analytics okay. I have been watching first take daily since 2020 peeping clips online all since I was a teen in highschool. I played sports and adore them all. Covid caused my job to let us work from home which gave me the freedom to watch the show at 10, and if I have a meeting I'll make sure to watch it on demand on the app. Why? Because something about your delivery, command, audacious takes felt so genuine and familiar. To me you seemed so much like the metaphor of the glass onion. Appearing one way, with your suits and self confidence, quick remarks, animated faces etc but all along the center is plain in sight. You're the dream! You made it. As a black women I could see that, but man I don't think anyone could know the true extent of your journey without reading this book. Molly said on the show a couple days ago that people will respect you more after this and I couldnt agree more! I'm a millennial and im typing this on my Kindle and im getting tired of that so I conclude with this, thank you for sharing your story! I am currently in a place where a lot of big opportunities are happening for me and it seems daunting. But you have inspired me! People don't really get there flowers til they are gone. One-day the world will recognize the historical contribution you have made for media, journalism, entertainment etc. So two things: the cowboys haven't won anything since I've been alive and keep your faith on TLaw cuz Duval coming for the AFC babbyyyyy! God bless.
September 9, 2023
“Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes” is a nonfiction memoir focusing on the television personality Stephen A. Smith’s experience with poverty, dyslexia, and overcoming adversity to become a professional and personal success.
The book consists of an introduction, twenty-one chapters and acknowledgments.
In the introduction, Smith transports the reader to Queens, New York in May 2017 as Smith’s mother Janet is dying from colon cancer. Despite Smith’s mother’s declining health, she requests that her husband of fifty-nine years, Ashley, to be at her bedside. Instead of Smith’s father being beside his sick wife’s bedside, he chooses to ignore her illness to watch baseball games and old Westerns on TV. Only when Smith confronts his father face to face and bluntly expresses the severity of his mother’s health condition does his father finally gets it. Smith has written this memoir as a way to reach all people regardless of social or financial status and provides inspiration to persevere when times are hard or the odds seem against you. The introduction ends with Smith expressing how his parent’s relationship affected him throughout life by never taking more than three drinks in a week, never smoking or doing drugs, and never marrying since he’s constantly on the road for work as well as not wanting to dishonor his marriage vows as he saw his father do to his mother.
Chapter one begins with Smith discussing his childhood in the 1967 Hollis, Queens as the youngest of six children in a West Indian household. Smith talks about his parents Ashley and Janet met as teenagers at church in St. Thomas before coming to the United States in search of a better life. After Smith’s parents marry in 1958, they proceed to have a total of six children: Linda, Basil, Arlyne, Abigail, Carmen, and Stephen. Ashley eventually leaves the household when Stephen is six and Janet eventually becomes a nurse working at a hospital during the day and a nursing home at night. They house often didn’t have shower and sinks that didn’t work, hot water wasn’t available and Smith’s mother would often open the house to our of town relatives. Smith and siblings would often hide food from each other. Poverty is more scarring and was a direct result of their father’s lack of cheating ways and his disrespect of mother by having an affair and fathering another child. As time passes, Smith’s father takes care of his mistress’ three children and leaves his wife and children in poverty.
In chapter two, although Smith articulates well, in third grade, he reads at a first-grade level. He is eventually held back due to his lack of reading comprehension. After Smith overhears his father doubting Smith’s abilities and intelligence, this motivates Smith to prove his father wrong. With the help of his sister Carmen and the older brother of a friend, Smith improves in his reading and writing. A teacher suggests to Smith’s mother to find a subject he’s interested in to help him become a star. Smith soon starts watching stories and absorbing sports commentary. Smith is drawn to sports because he loves the subject matter and eventually finds a common ground with his father. From his father, Smith learns to recognize the benefits of criticism instead of folding to it and listening to what someone wants could turn a foe to a friend.
As Stephen gets older, his father becomes more confrontational and territorial. School wise, Smith goes to trade school and majors in “electrical installation” but Smith’s father refuses to let Smith use his new learned skills to fix things around the house. Smith finds an escape from his turbulent home life by playing basketball. After getting a bad grade, Smith’s father betrays Smith during a parent conference leading to him being ineligible to play basketball. Smith briefly leaves for Texas to stay with his older brother before returning to New York. Upon returning to New York, Smith is shocked and surprised when he is picked up from the airport by an unknown brother and his father’s mistress.
Eventually, Smith’s arrives at Winston-Salem State University to play basketball at the junior college level. Despite being known as a fashion institute, Smith majors in advertising and communications. Smith has his first trip alone out of state and first experience attending an all-black university. Smith finds a mentor in his college basketball coach Clarence Edward “Big House” Gaines. Due to Smith having chronic tendinitis in both knees from a childhood of playing basketball on the streets of New York, his athletic career soon ends. Smith feels sadness and shame when he has to leave North Carolina to return to New York to rehabilitate his knee injury. Once back in New York, Smith puts his focus in becoming a broadcast journalist. Smith finds inspiration from Bryant Gumbel and Howard Cosell.
After Smith returns to North Carolina, he has a humbling experience and begins to make amends for leaving school without saying goodbye and not returning phone calls. Smith returns to school and has a busy schedule between attempting to play basketball, doing work study at the telecommunications department, and writing for the student newspaper. Smith explains why he uses his full name in article bylines as a tribute to his mother. After writing a newspaper column stating that Coach Gaines should retire due to bad health, everyone wants Smith removed from school and receives validation from Gaines due to Smith talking to him before writing the article. Smith gets a job as a sports department clerk due to his Coach Gaines article. Smith gets help with his first published article despite not knowing able the sport, he gets a promotion to the new beat writer for Wake Forest soccer. Loved the quote Smith was given by soccer coach that “you’re not in the business to be liked, you’re in the business to be respected.” Smith is the first in his family to graduate from college.
As the memoir progresses, Smith shows how he went from a college basketball player to a TV journalist. He admits his shortcomings as well as his successes. He makes contacts in his professional career and his passion for sports would be fulfilled through journalism. Smith accepts the challenge of becoming a featured sports reporter since there were so few black journalists in newspaper sports departments. Smith’s older brother Basil becomes his biggest booster and a surrogate father to him. Smith’s world is shaken to the core when his sister calls with news that Basil is in a severe car accident in Texas and dies shortly thereafter. Smith mourns the death of Basil by no longer caring about his life and has a car crash after speeding down the road. After surviving his risky behavior, Smith decides to live a life Basil would’ve been proud of by pushing the envelope and going for things he truly wanted instead of being slowed or stopped by worries of failure. Smith makes a promise to himself to not visit Basil’s gravesite again until he became a household name.
As Smith progresses in his professional career, he becomes an equal opportunity flatter and offender when it comes to opinions on players and coaches. After being hired at ESPN, Smith becomes a network fixture but balks when approached with the idea of having his own show on the unwatched ESPN2 channel. Smith is reluctant having a TV show because he hasn’t had any formal training and excelled in being his authentic self on the air. After expressing nervousness to his older sister Linda, he commits to a three-year contract for his own show called “Quite Frankly.” After signing the TV contract, Smith retires his mother from her job and never has to pay for anything for the rest of her life, much to her surprise. Taking care of his mother means performing at a higher professional level.
With the support system he had to get “Quite Frankly” gone, the show is eventually cancelled. Despite the show being cancelled, Smith still works at ESPN until he feels unsure in his contract offer and leaves his current agent for another company. Smith eventually signs a one-year contract for much less than he was originally offered. In April 2009, Smith is fired from ESPN. No longer working for ESPN, Smith goes through a period of depression before finding motivation from Pat Riley that he will be back professionally which leads him to refocus on rebuilding his career. After returning to his mother’s house, Smith’s mother gives him a mirror as a way to look at himself and challenge him for feeling victimized by ESPN and that he’s not blameless in the situation.
Smith eventually finds a new home on “First Take” with also unlikely ESPN TV personality and longtime friend Skip Bayless. Having been away from television for years, Smith realizes that importance of achieving long-term sustainability instead of immediate gratification. The show was successful by highlighting their friendship amidst their daily debating and despite being opposites in every possible way. Smith shares how a “First Take” interview with football player Richard Sherman almost ended the show for him and Bayless.
The last chapters bring the reader to Smith present day life, after his mother has died on June 1, 2017. After his mother’s death, Smith is told by a family member that Smith is now responsible for leading the family now. Smith receives an outpouring of sympathy and support from various athletes, friends, and professional colleagues. Smith expresses shame of having his mother’s funeral at a church while wasn’t big enough to hold all friends and family members. Smith realizes how selfish he has been by not attending post funerals and realizes that one attends memorials and funerals to support the people you care about. Despite wanting to take time off to grieve his mother, his sisters remind him of his mother’s work ethic and her drive to finish the job. After getting encouragement from his sisters, Smith returns to work the day after burying his mother. Personally, Smith still grieves the death of his mother even today.
In contrast, Smith has the opposite reaction when his father dies fourteen months after his mother. Smith’s father died alone in a nursing home facility. When Smith tells his sisters he was planning to eulogize his father, his sisters worry of what he’ll say but he is balanced yet truthful in his public recollection of his father.
As I finished this book, I was surprised to learn at how deeply living in poverty has far reaching consequences even into adulthood. Although some might dislike all the name-dropping Smith does, it does get the point across that everyone needs help throughout his life. It was heartwarming to see various facets of Smith’s personality from a professional workaholic to a doting father of two girls. The book also provides a good dose of nostalgia by mentions of CNN/SI, “The Best Damn Sports Show Period,” Quite Frankly, and First Take.
The book consists of an introduction, twenty-one chapters and acknowledgments.
In the introduction, Smith transports the reader to Queens, New York in May 2017 as Smith’s mother Janet is dying from colon cancer. Despite Smith’s mother’s declining health, she requests that her husband of fifty-nine years, Ashley, to be at her bedside. Instead of Smith’s father being beside his sick wife’s bedside, he chooses to ignore her illness to watch baseball games and old Westerns on TV. Only when Smith confronts his father face to face and bluntly expresses the severity of his mother’s health condition does his father finally gets it. Smith has written this memoir as a way to reach all people regardless of social or financial status and provides inspiration to persevere when times are hard or the odds seem against you. The introduction ends with Smith expressing how his parent’s relationship affected him throughout life by never taking more than three drinks in a week, never smoking or doing drugs, and never marrying since he’s constantly on the road for work as well as not wanting to dishonor his marriage vows as he saw his father do to his mother.
Chapter one begins with Smith discussing his childhood in the 1967 Hollis, Queens as the youngest of six children in a West Indian household. Smith talks about his parents Ashley and Janet met as teenagers at church in St. Thomas before coming to the United States in search of a better life. After Smith’s parents marry in 1958, they proceed to have a total of six children: Linda, Basil, Arlyne, Abigail, Carmen, and Stephen. Ashley eventually leaves the household when Stephen is six and Janet eventually becomes a nurse working at a hospital during the day and a nursing home at night. They house often didn’t have shower and sinks that didn’t work, hot water wasn’t available and Smith’s mother would often open the house to our of town relatives. Smith and siblings would often hide food from each other. Poverty is more scarring and was a direct result of their father’s lack of cheating ways and his disrespect of mother by having an affair and fathering another child. As time passes, Smith’s father takes care of his mistress’ three children and leaves his wife and children in poverty.
In chapter two, although Smith articulates well, in third grade, he reads at a first-grade level. He is eventually held back due to his lack of reading comprehension. After Smith overhears his father doubting Smith’s abilities and intelligence, this motivates Smith to prove his father wrong. With the help of his sister Carmen and the older brother of a friend, Smith improves in his reading and writing. A teacher suggests to Smith’s mother to find a subject he’s interested in to help him become a star. Smith soon starts watching stories and absorbing sports commentary. Smith is drawn to sports because he loves the subject matter and eventually finds a common ground with his father. From his father, Smith learns to recognize the benefits of criticism instead of folding to it and listening to what someone wants could turn a foe to a friend.
As Stephen gets older, his father becomes more confrontational and territorial. School wise, Smith goes to trade school and majors in “electrical installation” but Smith’s father refuses to let Smith use his new learned skills to fix things around the house. Smith finds an escape from his turbulent home life by playing basketball. After getting a bad grade, Smith’s father betrays Smith during a parent conference leading to him being ineligible to play basketball. Smith briefly leaves for Texas to stay with his older brother before returning to New York. Upon returning to New York, Smith is shocked and surprised when he is picked up from the airport by an unknown brother and his father’s mistress.
Eventually, Smith’s arrives at Winston-Salem State University to play basketball at the junior college level. Despite being known as a fashion institute, Smith majors in advertising and communications. Smith has his first trip alone out of state and first experience attending an all-black university. Smith finds a mentor in his college basketball coach Clarence Edward “Big House” Gaines. Due to Smith having chronic tendinitis in both knees from a childhood of playing basketball on the streets of New York, his athletic career soon ends. Smith feels sadness and shame when he has to leave North Carolina to return to New York to rehabilitate his knee injury. Once back in New York, Smith puts his focus in becoming a broadcast journalist. Smith finds inspiration from Bryant Gumbel and Howard Cosell.
After Smith returns to North Carolina, he has a humbling experience and begins to make amends for leaving school without saying goodbye and not returning phone calls. Smith returns to school and has a busy schedule between attempting to play basketball, doing work study at the telecommunications department, and writing for the student newspaper. Smith explains why he uses his full name in article bylines as a tribute to his mother. After writing a newspaper column stating that Coach Gaines should retire due to bad health, everyone wants Smith removed from school and receives validation from Gaines due to Smith talking to him before writing the article. Smith gets a job as a sports department clerk due to his Coach Gaines article. Smith gets help with his first published article despite not knowing able the sport, he gets a promotion to the new beat writer for Wake Forest soccer. Loved the quote Smith was given by soccer coach that “you’re not in the business to be liked, you’re in the business to be respected.” Smith is the first in his family to graduate from college.
As the memoir progresses, Smith shows how he went from a college basketball player to a TV journalist. He admits his shortcomings as well as his successes. He makes contacts in his professional career and his passion for sports would be fulfilled through journalism. Smith accepts the challenge of becoming a featured sports reporter since there were so few black journalists in newspaper sports departments. Smith’s older brother Basil becomes his biggest booster and a surrogate father to him. Smith’s world is shaken to the core when his sister calls with news that Basil is in a severe car accident in Texas and dies shortly thereafter. Smith mourns the death of Basil by no longer caring about his life and has a car crash after speeding down the road. After surviving his risky behavior, Smith decides to live a life Basil would’ve been proud of by pushing the envelope and going for things he truly wanted instead of being slowed or stopped by worries of failure. Smith makes a promise to himself to not visit Basil’s gravesite again until he became a household name.
As Smith progresses in his professional career, he becomes an equal opportunity flatter and offender when it comes to opinions on players and coaches. After being hired at ESPN, Smith becomes a network fixture but balks when approached with the idea of having his own show on the unwatched ESPN2 channel. Smith is reluctant having a TV show because he hasn’t had any formal training and excelled in being his authentic self on the air. After expressing nervousness to his older sister Linda, he commits to a three-year contract for his own show called “Quite Frankly.” After signing the TV contract, Smith retires his mother from her job and never has to pay for anything for the rest of her life, much to her surprise. Taking care of his mother means performing at a higher professional level.
With the support system he had to get “Quite Frankly” gone, the show is eventually cancelled. Despite the show being cancelled, Smith still works at ESPN until he feels unsure in his contract offer and leaves his current agent for another company. Smith eventually signs a one-year contract for much less than he was originally offered. In April 2009, Smith is fired from ESPN. No longer working for ESPN, Smith goes through a period of depression before finding motivation from Pat Riley that he will be back professionally which leads him to refocus on rebuilding his career. After returning to his mother’s house, Smith’s mother gives him a mirror as a way to look at himself and challenge him for feeling victimized by ESPN and that he’s not blameless in the situation.
Smith eventually finds a new home on “First Take” with also unlikely ESPN TV personality and longtime friend Skip Bayless. Having been away from television for years, Smith realizes that importance of achieving long-term sustainability instead of immediate gratification. The show was successful by highlighting their friendship amidst their daily debating and despite being opposites in every possible way. Smith shares how a “First Take” interview with football player Richard Sherman almost ended the show for him and Bayless.
The last chapters bring the reader to Smith present day life, after his mother has died on June 1, 2017. After his mother’s death, Smith is told by a family member that Smith is now responsible for leading the family now. Smith receives an outpouring of sympathy and support from various athletes, friends, and professional colleagues. Smith expresses shame of having his mother’s funeral at a church while wasn’t big enough to hold all friends and family members. Smith realizes how selfish he has been by not attending post funerals and realizes that one attends memorials and funerals to support the people you care about. Despite wanting to take time off to grieve his mother, his sisters remind him of his mother’s work ethic and her drive to finish the job. After getting encouragement from his sisters, Smith returns to work the day after burying his mother. Personally, Smith still grieves the death of his mother even today.
In contrast, Smith has the opposite reaction when his father dies fourteen months after his mother. Smith’s father died alone in a nursing home facility. When Smith tells his sisters he was planning to eulogize his father, his sisters worry of what he’ll say but he is balanced yet truthful in his public recollection of his father.
As I finished this book, I was surprised to learn at how deeply living in poverty has far reaching consequences even into adulthood. Although some might dislike all the name-dropping Smith does, it does get the point across that everyone needs help throughout his life. It was heartwarming to see various facets of Smith’s personality from a professional workaholic to a doting father of two girls. The book also provides a good dose of nostalgia by mentions of CNN/SI, “The Best Damn Sports Show Period,” Quite Frankly, and First Take.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2024
This novel was a real page 📄 turner! I love that an icon like Stephen A was able to write ✍️ such a masterpiece of literature 🔥!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2025
It’s not bad. It’s just OK. There’s a lot of stories about his upbringing, which may be the point, but not a enough about his career. I feel like this would do better by incorporating some more of his opinions and thoughts, rather than a straight-up autobiography. Plus, Stephen A. Smith is young, so not sure why he would do one at this time. Nonetheless, it’s an easy read.
June 24, 2025
Stephen A's memoir is fine, but it lacked some things I was looking for. For one, the shortest chapter in the book was the one about his 2 daughters who he says are his ultimate joy in life. But he speaks nothing of their moms in the book, and yet they get gushing praise on the last page of the acknowledgements section??? Matter of fact, the acknowledgements section is FULL of people he cherishes, but where were they in the memoir? All he talks about in the book is his family life growing up or the marquee events on the ESPN shows he's been on in the past 20 years.
This was not a tell-all. This was a cherry-picked collection of life events that explain how he's on ESPN every damn day. His writing makes it feel like his triumphs are manufactured. Like he highlights his setbacks just to show you, but wait!, those made me 10x better! Eh. And don't get me started on how he's "unapologetically himself." Ok bro.
I kept wondering if he was ever going to talk about ever being in love. Nope. But that's my fault. Look at the cover of the book, I don't know why I was expecting that with his Eeyore-ass face. The best we get is he had a vice for beautiful women and was promiscuous in his younger years.
"I'm Stephen A., I like to sling ween, and you're watching Disney Channel!"
I did like the chapter about Max Kellerman. But Stephen A. is hiding something in that chapter. He claims he and Max "didn't work" because he didn't stick by his takes and truly debate. I watched many episodes with Max & Stephen A. and the real problem was that Max was taking him to the cleaners. I think Stephen A developed an inferiority complex because he was getting mopped and wanted him gone.
Overall, an entertaining read – he is a great entertainer – but I get this impression he throttled himself. I think his lived experience is impressive, but his writing needs work. It had an empty calorie feel to it that I didn't like.
This was not a tell-all. This was a cherry-picked collection of life events that explain how he's on ESPN every damn day. His writing makes it feel like his triumphs are manufactured. Like he highlights his setbacks just to show you, but wait!, those made me 10x better! Eh. And don't get me started on how he's "unapologetically himself." Ok bro.
I kept wondering if he was ever going to talk about ever being in love. Nope. But that's my fault. Look at the cover of the book, I don't know why I was expecting that with his Eeyore-ass face. The best we get is he had a vice for beautiful women and was promiscuous in his younger years.
"I'm Stephen A., I like to sling ween, and you're watching Disney Channel!"
I did like the chapter about Max Kellerman. But Stephen A. is hiding something in that chapter. He claims he and Max "didn't work" because he didn't stick by his takes and truly debate. I watched many episodes with Max & Stephen A. and the real problem was that Max was taking him to the cleaners. I think Stephen A developed an inferiority complex because he was getting mopped and wanted him gone.
Overall, an entertaining read – he is a great entertainer – but I get this impression he throttled himself. I think his lived experience is impressive, but his writing needs work. It had an empty calorie feel to it that I didn't like.
February 23, 2023
Great audio book.
July 16, 2024
Stephen A. Smith has been through the ringer, but it does show and prove that it takes a strong love of family to make one overcome adversity and problems. A very good read, feel good biography that all people should enjoy. It should not matter if you agree with that person politically, sports, or otherwise we all have to be willing to read about those who made it through the tough and trying times, because of the elders within our family. Well worth the time to read!
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