Stephen A. Smith Talks About His Serena Williams Comments That Triggered Folks

On First Take, Stephen A. Smith referenced Serena Williams' situation, asserting he’d suggest she “return to his a**” if they were wed. This week, Williams' actual spouse addressed Smith's comments during his appearance on the program to promote an event. Smith acknowledged, “I should not have expressed it this way, I concede that. While joking before a commercial break, I said, ‘Take your a** back to him.’” He elaborated, “As men, if I’m married and my wife brings the energy to appear on Super Bowl Sunday to dance to a song referencing her ex, I’d question, ‘What’s that energy about?’ You should be joyful with me.” He mentioned he would have taken responsibility and apologized had he been face-to-face with Ohanian, expressing, “I don’t fault him for interpreting it differently. My intention was not to criticize Serena in any way, and I genuinely apologize to her.”