Miami Dolphins’ front office had just announced their mutual parting with Grier less than 12 hours after an embarrassing 28-6 prime-time loss to Baltimore Ravens. To cover that news, Stephen A. Smith stepped in but put his hand in the most controversial subject in America.
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith on the ESPN First Take set at the CFP Fan Central at the George World Congress Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith on the ESPN First Take set at the CFP Fan Central at the George World Congress Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The ESPN talking head literally started a constant firestorm Friday morning when he suggested race played a role in the Dolphins firing Chris Grier.
Hours later, after getting crushed by fans on social media, Smith walked back his fiery rant– sort of.
Stephen A. Smith Responds to Backlash Over Chris Grier Firing Comments
TNF’s flop show dropped Miami to 2-7, sealing Grier’s fate for the exit door. Ross stated that “change could not wait” after assessing that his team had already hit rock bottom. Miami Nation has been screaming for this move since last season’s collapse. So, they are happy that finally the front office replied.
Then, Smith’s original rant came hot off the presses Friday morning, and it started endless chatter online. The firestorm set off when Smith questioned why Grier, who is Black, got canned before head coach Mike McDaniel.
“It was about Tua, it was about Mike McDaniel, and the brother gets fired first? All I know is this: I better hear Mike McDaniel’s name today. It better not just be Chris Grier,” Smith fumed on First Take.
Yikes: Stephen A. Smith claims the Dolphins fired GM Chris Grier first because he is BLACK and they spared white HC Mike McDaniel.
“It was about Tua, it was about Mike McDaniel. And the brother gets fired first?”
😳😳😳
pic.twitter.com/QcpVn6r5HT
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 31, 2025
The internet immediately destroyed him for ignoring Grier’s decade of failure. Grier became the longest-tenured GM without a playoff victory in NFL history. Twenty-five years without a postseason win.
The signs had been there for years — bad draft picks, questionable trades, and nearly $900 million spent on aging free agents. The attacking line was weak, and the front seven consistently struggled against stronger teams.
The backlash forced the 58-year-old to clarify his stance later Friday evening on his YouTube channel. He didn’t exactly apologize but definitely softened his tone.
“I am unapologetic about the fact that I root for and support black men getting jobs in these positions,” Smith emphasized. “I’m also fair-minded enough to say when they lose their jobs if they deserve to lose it.”
“I’m not saying that he don’t deserve it because of the way they look. He’s at the helm. I got it, I understand it,” he added. “Listen, I’m all for brothers as head coaches, we know what battles I’ve been fighting for over 30 years. But when you don’t get the job done you don’t get the damn job done, period.”
Fair enough. But that’s not what he said earlier. Smith then tried to pivot by doubling down on McDaniel, saying, “Don’t tell me it’s just him. Don’t tell me we gonna leave Mike McDaniel in place and we just gonna fire him and we gonna move forward. Damn that!”
Smith said that he was still waiting for more details but admitted he couldn’t defend some of Chris Grier’s personnel decisions. He called the situation unfortunate but understandable, adding that he hoped the blame wouldn’t stop with Grier.