Stephen A. Smith responded forcefully after the National Association of Black Journalists gave him its 2026 Thumbs Down Award during the organization’s annual convention in Atlanta.
NABJ said Smith had established a recurring pattern of disparaging commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports, and media. Smith rejected that characterization and initially promised a fuller response.
He followed through on August 17 with a lengthy public rebuttal, calling the award a political and personal “hit job.” Smith later discussed the dispute on Hannity, escalating a confrontation that began with his initial social media response.
What exactly is the Thumbs Down Award?
NABJ presents its Thumbs Down Award to an individual or organization for especially insensitive, racist or stereotypical reporting, commentary, photography or cartooning about the Black community, or for practices that conflict with NABJ’s goals.
The award has a long history and is not restricted to institutions. NABJ says recipients over the years have included both Black and non-Black individuals as well as organizations.
Smith’s selection drew particular attention in 2026 because he is one of the country’s most prominent sports-media personalities and had recently participated in NABJ convention programming.
NABJ explains its controversial decision
NABJ said Smith had established a recurring public pattern of disparaging commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports, and media.
The organization said such commentary can reinforce harmful narratives and undermine the fair and respectful representation of Black women in public discourse. NABJ framed Smith’s selection as part of its broader effort to hold media figures and institutions accountable.
NABJ was founded by 44 journalists in Washington, D.C., on December 12, 1975. The organization describes itself as the nation’s largest organization for journalists of color.
Smith fires back immediately online
Smith responded on X after receiving the award, describing the situation as “Christmas arriving early” and signaling that he welcomed the chance to respond.
He told NABJ that it had taken its turn and that his own response was coming, while suggesting he would examine whether the organization itself deserved scrutiny over its record involving the Black community.
Smith also said he had kept quiet for years before the award prompted him to speak publicly. He followed that initial post with a much longer response on August 17.
Other recipients share the spotlight
NABJ presented 5 Thumbs Down Awards during its 2026 convention in Atlanta. In addition to Stephen A. Smith, the recipients were FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, CBS News, The Washington Post and DuJuan McCoy, president and CEO of Circle City Broadcasting.
The recipients included both individuals and major media organizations, reflecting the range of people and institutions that NABJ can recognize with the award.
Smith’s selection generated substantial public attention and quickly became a prominent story surrounding the awards after he announced that he planned to respond.
Political commentary fuels the backlash
Smith has expanded his commentary well beyond sports in recent years, regularly discussing politics and current affairs while publicly considering the possibility of a 2028 presidential run.
His political commentary has also generated criticism. In 2025, Smith drew backlash after questioning Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s political rhetoric and describing some of her language as “rhetoric for the streets.”
Smith later apologized to Crockett, saying he respected her and acknowledging that his comments could give political opponents ammunition, while continuing to defend his right to scrutinize the effectiveness of politicians’ messaging.
Reactions split the media and observers
Smith’s selection generated immediate debate both at the convention and online. Democratic strategist and media commentator Ameshia Cross, who attended the dinner, said the room understood that the decision was likely to provoke a strong reaction.
The controversy quickly spread beyond the convention as Smith promised to respond publicly, and news organizations began covering the dispute.
Fun fact: NABJ hosted a live broadcast of ESPN’s First Take featuring Smith at its 2024 convention in Chicago. The program returned to NABJ’s convention in Cleveland in 2025, highlighting the recent relationship between Smith and the organization before the 2026 award.
Smith’s longer response goes public
On August 17, Smith addressed the controversy in a 44-minute video, calling the award a political and personal “hit job” and describing it as one of the lowest insults he had received.
Smith argued that the decision reflected opposition to his political opinions rather than a fair assessment of his journalism. He also said he had invited NABJ President Errin Haines to discuss the matter publicly on his platform.
NABJ disputed Smith’s characterization of that exchange. The organization said Haines welcomed a conversation and proposed beginning privately with listening and dialogue, with the possibility of public engagement afterward.
What does this mean for NABJ and Smith?
The dispute marks a sharp change from Smith’s recent participation in NABJ programming. First Take broadcast from NABJ conventions in 2024 and 2025 before the organization presented Smith with its Thumbs Down Award in 2026.
The confrontation has already moved beyond Smith’s initial promise to respond. He delivered a lengthy rebuttal on August 17, appeared on Hannity to discuss the dispute, and challenged NABJ’s rationale for the award. NABJ, meanwhile, has defended its decision while saying it remains open to meaningful engagement with the recipients.
Fun fact: NABJ describes itself as the nation’s largest organization for journalists of color and says it has more than 4,300 members.
TL;DR
- NABJ gave Stephen A. Smith its 2026 Thumbs Down Award during its convention in Atlanta.
- The organization cited what it described as a recurring pattern of disparaging commentary about prominent Black women across politics, sports, and media.
- Smith rejected the criticism and delivered a lengthy public response on August 17, calling the award a political and personal “hit job.”
- The other recipients were FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, CBS News, DuJuan McCoy and The Washington Post.
- Smith said NABJ President Errin Haines declined his invitation for an immediate public discussion, but NABJ disputed that characterization and said she proposed beginning privately with the possibility of public engagement afterward.
- Smith later discussed the dispute on Hannity, while NABJ said it remained open to meaningful engagement.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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