“I’m not one of those rabid ideologues”: Stephen A. Smith gets brutally honest on concern over his political views turning off ESPN audience

Stephen A. Smith is stepping deeper into political commentary, but he insists he isn’t worried about alienating ESPN viewers. Speaking on "The Stephen A. Smith Show" on SiriusXM on Friday, Smith responded to a listener who asked if his political takes could hurt his popularity with ESPN’s audience.

Smith said he trusts the way he presents his views and believes his approach keeps viewers engaged even when they disagree.

“I don’t worry about it because first of all, it’s politics, it’s not sports. Secondly, I don’t bring it to ESPN,” Smith said (per Awful Announcing). “Thirdly and most importantly, I think it’s important to remember that I’m a reasonable human being.”

Smith emphasized that he approaches politics the same way he approaches sports: openly and with a willingness to reconsider his stance.

“What I do when I’m talking politics is what I do when I’m doing everything," Smith said. "I let you know how I feel and where I stand based on the facts that I have presented to me. But I’m open-minded to be corrected, which means I’m willing to engage in dialogue. And I’m willing to talk with people and hear what they have to say.”

“I’m not one of those dogged, rabid ideologues that’s stuck on one position and I’m not moving and I don’t give a damn how anybody else feels … that’s not how I am."

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Stephen A. Smith on Chiefs’ urgency ahead of Week 11 clash vs. Broncos

Stephen A. Smith believes the Kansas City Chiefs will be under pressure in the Week 11 game against the Denver Broncos. On ESPN, when asked which team needs Sunday’s game to work out in their favour more, he said:

“It’s definitely Kansas City. You lose this game, you’re three games out… you don’t have a chance of winning the AFC West.”

The Chiefs are inconsistent and continue to struggle offensively, even after “all their horses back.” Smith pointed to Denver’s historic defensive production, a +35 sack differential through 10 games, the largest in NFL history. It is exactly the kind of pressure Patrick Mahomes has had trouble handling.

The Chiefs enter the week at No. 3 in the AFC West with a 5-4 record, trailing the Broncos by two games and the Chargers by one. Their nine-year streak of division titles is now at real risk. Mahomes has repeatedly said that winning the division is the team’s “first goal” every season, but the margin for error is gone.