Stephen A. Smith Doesn't Agree With ESPN Firing Popular NFL Analyst

Stephen A. Smith might be the face of ESPN at this stage , but that doesn't mean he agrees with every decision the network makes. 

Earlier this week, Smith announced a multiyear partnership with SiriusXM. Starting in September, he'll have a daily show on Mad Dog Sports Radio. The ESPN personality will also host a weekly "current events, pop culture and social commentary-focused show." 

It was later revealed that Smith's show on Mad Dog Sports Radio will take over a timeslot currently occupied by Michelle Beadle and Cody Decker. Shortly after that was confirmed, Beadle ripped Smith in an interview with Front Office Sports. 

Beadle's harsh comments led to a classy statement from Smith, who said he never planned on stabbing people in the back. 

"I want to state for the record just so everyone knows what kind of man I am and what kind of teammate I am. I had no idea that folks did not know. I was told by SiriusXM to wait until this morning on The Howard Stern Show to make the announcement. Whatever communication they had with anybody who’s there, where they’re staying, where they’re being moved to. Who’s staying, who’s going or whatever. It’s none of my business," Smith said, via Awful Announcing. 

"But let me be very, very clear. It would always be my concern because I would never in a million years be unprofessional and inconsiderate of a contemporary or a colleague. If somebody was not made aware of my arrival, meaning the people that directly would be impacted by my arrival on SiriusXM, it is something that I would have made sure of. So I just want to let anybody out there who was listening, along with you all know, I’m proud to be back. I’m happy to be back and be part of the team. But that operative word is team. The people I work with are my teammates. And I don’t do stuff like that."