Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel drew harsh criticism from ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith after making controversial comments during a sideline interview conducted during Saturday’s preseason win against the Eagles.
During the interview, Gabriel’s comments about “entertainers and competitors” exploded on social media, with many interpreting the remarks as a shot at fellow rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Gabriel clarified the remarks after the game, saying they were directed toward the media, not his teammate.
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“All you in this room are entertainers and you have a job to do, and I respect it, and I’m a competitor, so I have a job to do as well,” Gabriel said. “That’s just what I’ve lived by. I’ve said that multiple times, so definitely not a new quote, but something that I’ve definitely said.”
Smith believed Gabriel’s comments about “entertainers and competitors” were not a shot at Sanders but thought they were unnecessary.
“It was a stupid, idiotic, immature comment because clearly you were feeling the heat because a lot of people were talking about how Shedeur should be QB No. 2,” Smith said. “I know he was not talking about Shedeur Sanders. He was talking about the media. Here’s the problem: You’ve now heightened the level of scrutiny coming your way because the media, including myself, heard what you said. So, in other words, it’s entertainment. It’s not competition, really.”
Smith also said Gabriel put a bigger target on his back because he criticized the media.
“When you go out there and you compete like trash, because you will have days when you look like that, we’re going to remember those comments and we’re going to remember the shot that you took at the Fourth Estate, which is the media institution, whether we like it or not,” Smith said. “Some of us will be kind, like myself, because we don’t want to do that to you. Others will be merciless. But in the end, no one will be wrong, because who instigated that fury against you? It would be you.”
Gabriel and Sanders initially were in a battle with Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett for the Browns’ starting quarterback job, but on Monday, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski named Flacco the Week 1 starter against the Cincinnati Bengals. The other three quarterbacks will compete for the second and third positions in the team’s final preseason game Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams.
Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.
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