Tiki Barber recently called out Stephen A. Smith for the longtime ESPN analyst’s take on the Brian Flores situation, and Smith did not appreciate the criticism.
Barber, who spent his entire 10-year career with the New York Giants, took exception to Smith agreeing with Flores that Barber’s former team has racist hiring practices.
“I can’t sit here, with conviction, like Stephen A. [Smith], who doesn’t know anybody in the Giants’ organization and claim that they’re a racist organization,” Barber said on his WFAN radio show last week, via Brad Callas of Complex. “I would never do that. The only reason I would do that is because I’m trying to make a point, and my point is that Brian Flores is trying to make a point.”
Smith responded toward the very end of Monday’s episode of “First Take.” He said he was merely pointing out that the Giants have never hired a black head coach. He then told Barber to “watch himself.”
Stephen A threatening Tiki Barber 😂 pic.twitter.com/qlTKastDmu
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) February 7, 2022
“Tiki, you don’t know who the hell I know. I’ve been a journalist for almost 30 years. I know a few people within the Giants organization,” Smith said. “I know a lot of stuff about you, my brother, that I would never say because I’d have the decency not to say those things. Chill out. Watch yourself. And know who you’re talking about. That’s all I wanna say.”
It’s unclear what Smith was referring to, but Barber does have some baggage. The three-time Pro Bowler left his ex-wife more than 10 years ago when she was pregnant with the former couple’s child. Though, that is information that is already out there.
We all know Smith’s style. He makes a living off of hot takes and feuds, but he doesn’t like being called out. This actually isn’t the first time he has used his platform to threaten someone.
