Stephen A. Smith Issues Apology to Kyrie Irving Over Vaccine Stance

Stephen A. Smith has ruffled a lot of feathers in the sports and entertainment worlds, but he is known for apologizing for his brash statements from time to time. Recently, Kyrie Irving was the recipient of Smith’s apology for criticizing his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine earlier this decade. The commentator’s apology follows Dr. Anthony Fauci’s refusal to answer questions about his handling of the pandemic before the United States Congress.

Fauci is the subject of an investigation into vaccine mandates, pandemic protocol, the origins of the disease, and more. He has invoked his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination and denies any wrongdoing. However, this situation has led Stephen A. Smith and many others to reevaluate how the U.S. handled COVID. As such, he made an apology to Irving for previous attacks on his self-titled SiriusXM show.

“If I’m wrong, I’ll say I’m wrong,” Smith remarked. “When it comes to Kyrie Irving, I can’t apologize strongly enough…”

He walked back his previous compliance with vaccine mandates, indicating many individuals were under threat of losing their jobs. Smith apologized for questioning Irving’s leadership and brought up other superstar athletes who refused the COVID vaccine. He specifically singled out the Dallas Maverick as someone who caught particular heat, including from Smith himself on his many platforms.

Stephen A. Smith’s Apology

However, Smith also clarified he isn’t accusing COVID of being fake or Fauci of lying, noting there is still a lot unknown about the virus and the pandemic. “We can’t engage in condemnation completely, anyway, towards Fauci, a lot of Democrats, a lot of businesses in corporate America and beyond who supported their position… We can’t condemn those who were a bit suspicious,” he remarked.

The analyst and journalist defended Irving as a “conscientious” person who never intended to harm anyone and defended his rights. Smith said COVID almost killed him in 2021 but noted that “one size never fit all” in this pandemic, apologizing to the star for not recognizing him for being “brave.”

Stephen A. Smith has apologized to Kyrie Irving before for more broad conflicts. Now, this particular disagreement might be moving towards reconciliation.