Stephen A. Smith Knows Why Minorities Don’t Play Fantasy Sports: Because It’s For Nerds
ESPN, Fantasy Sports, Race September 4th. 2008, 10:30am
Quite a staggering find by Can’t Stop the Bleeding: Stephen A. Smith, for reasons we remain unaware, recently offered his thoughts about why minorities don’t play fantasy sports: They have better things to do.
I’m not surprised to learn that so few blacks are among the 30 million people who participate in fantasy sports. I’ve always thought that a lot of these guys (and 96% of them are guys) are nerds desperately in need of more sociable leisure time activities. Leisure time for black folks historically consists of direct interaction, the kind of experience you get at a family barbecue or hanging out with friends.
No way. You mean there are better things to do than sitting at your computer at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning to pillage the waiver wire in hopes of landing an obscure tight end who you think is a lock to score two TDs this week? (Hint: He will catch passes from JaMarcus Russell.)
Frankly, we’re impressed with Stephen A. He wrote a column and actually quoted people, which completed veered away from his usual navel-gazing antics. And frankly, the guy found a pretty tremendous quote: “And the demographic—males, mid-30s, college educated, income of $75,000, who have high-speed Internet—is a real sweet spot for advertisers.”
Perfect time for us – one of the 5% of non-white guys who play fantasy sports – to relay a quirk about all three of our fantasy teams: Willie Parker of the Steelers. We have Kurt Warner, Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and Selvin Young on two teams (might have been three for some of those guys if not for an autopick team that gave us Romo, TO and Randy Moss).
Stephen A. Addresses The National Paucity of Black Nerds (With Broadband) (Can’t Stop the Bleeding)
130 Responses to “Stephen A. Smith Knows Why Minorities Don’t Play Fantasy Sports: Because It’s For Nerds”
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September 4th, 2008 at 10:33 am
SAS is a fucking idiot Im black and Im about fantasy.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:33 am
I’d say on average, i see his point.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:34 am
No Shit Dick Tracy.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Sean John, so you agree that people who play fantasy are nerds? Or that black people don’t play fantasy?
This whole if you play fantasy you’re a nerd argument is absurd, everyone plays fantasy football.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:37 am
White people don’t have bbqs?
September 4th, 2008 at 10:38 am
@Tampa, “I’m black and I play fantasy” sounds eerily similar to “I’m not racist, I have plenty of black friends.”
I wish I knew the context that Stephen A offered this opinion. I don’t think he’s all that wrong, but I also don’t know why he would care enough to comment on it. Either way, I love the quote.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:39 am
that’s odd. I distinctly remember having a barbecue at my house to watch the Vols implode this past monday evening.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Considering that most people tinker with their fantasy teams at work, his point about “sociable leisure time” makes no fucking sense.
Or did SAS just indirectly say that minorities don’t have jobs?
September 4th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Man I can’t believe this board. All you playin fantasy sports. Can you say Ghey?
/Maggs’d
September 4th, 2008 at 10:41 am
@Mike NYC – SAS = NickP!?
September 4th, 2008 at 10:41 am
I think in the south they are called “rallies”.
/joking
September 4th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Then again Mike, just because it’s at work doesn’t mean it’s not sociable leisure time (smiley)
September 4th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Dude Minorities definitely have jobs. Wait…Mexicans are still the minority right? right?
September 4th, 2008 at 10:42 am
isnt this a few weeks old?
September 4th, 2008 at 10:45 am
What?!? Hell no dude, FF is the tits nipple.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:47 am
so pumped for ff/NFL to start tonight. I got a good squad this year
September 4th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I attended a Fantasy Draft BBQ. I’m at the nexus of the universe.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:47 am
i check my FF teams while BBQ’ing.
caligula aint got shit on me.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:47 am
TBL, you got Romo, TO and Moss? I’d call shenanigans on that redraft. your team would be stacked.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:48 am
No, no – he just said minorities don’t have good, high paying jobs with access to computers and such.
/watches minority landscaper outside office window
September 4th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Between classes and school clubs, and because I’m black like Steven said, my leisure time has to consist of direct interaction so this year I had a choice, 7-8 hours of sleep and no football or 5-6 hours of sleep with fantasy football…. I choose football
September 4th, 2008 at 10:48 am
ha I was just prodding maggs. Fantasy sports is definitely the tits.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Neither of those players runs the football. So I would say highly possible
September 4th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Isn’t there a black hip hop group named NERD
September 4th, 2008 at 10:51 am
On a seperate, but related note, one strange thing I noticed, mostly among some of my relatives who do blue collar jobs (electricians mostly) is that they immediately get turned off by something called “Fantasy Football”. Just the name alone makes it seem a little dodgy if you don’t know what it is, no?
Once you explain to them it could be a form of (*ahem*) gambling, then they get it and want to be involved.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I think I remember reading about that on Hot Clicks, didn’t u autopick the whole thing and get this load squad and another dude that who autopicked it ended up with awful squad that included 4 qb, 3 drafted in like the last couple of rounds
September 4th, 2008 at 10:51 am
So I just got the WSJ today and got a look at Palins daughter, Bristol. Weird name, but she is pretty decent.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Barbecued cheese doodles are the bomb’s tits. Or whatever you kids say.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:52 am
not to get anyone too excited, but i just read a few things that are coming later today from CRM and Ty Duffy and it’s fucking fantastic. I’m pumped. And then there’s a dangerous post later in the day that I know people will hate me for.
But I’m stoked about today’s slate.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:53 am
That’s a little day I like to call Labor Day. I’m in a league that does it’s draft every year on Labor Day, where we’ve all told the same 5 dick jokes for 8 years. For me, in my mid 30’s, it’s better than Christmas.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I believe that is N.E.R.D.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:53 am
+1 Coop
September 4th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Cricket Post!
September 4th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Not a Gossip Girl post, is it TBL?
/starts to cringe
September 4th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Mags, You forgot to mention Bristol’s baby daddy is pretty good looking too.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Is SAS taking into account all of the professional athletes that play fantasy sports? Are these people also nerds?
September 4th, 2008 at 10:55 am
YYSA – And the acronym has nothing to do with the word right?
September 4th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Uh…this was in ESPN The Mag several days ago. That is quite a find?
September 4th, 2008 at 10:57 am
just coincidence
September 4th, 2008 at 10:58 am
@sportsgal
Dude, ok this is totally one sided, but when an older chick calls a 17 year old dude “hot” it makes me think of Florida teachers. I know I (an older, 25 year old) just called a 17 year old girl hot, but I feel ok about it for some reason. Is that weird?
September 4th, 2008 at 10:59 am
N.E.R.D. puts out some sweet music. but Skateboard P is a weird dude. i’m still waiting on the supergroup of Kanye, Lupe and Pharrell to make some music.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:59 am
That is correct Ill
September 4th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Does the Stephen A Blog still exist?
September 4th, 2008 at 10:59 am
I didn’t call him hot!!! I said he was good looking. And I thought he was older than 17?
September 4th, 2008 at 11:00 am
And how dare you call me an older chick.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:01 am
I also called myself “older” at 25, so I figured that would make up for it.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Zambrano injury = Fiesty Sportsgal
September 4th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Maggs, I was thinking the same thing. It creeped me out as well. Now I know how chicks feel.
/BRB I got some new Hannah Montana pics.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Well they could have gone with N.O.E.R.D. if they wanted to, but I think N.E.R.D. is more sexy. I think they used the hyphen for a reason.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:02 am
I’m finally going to get to see N.E.R.D live this year. They are coming to our Homecoming with Common and I heard that N.E.R.D does a decent live show
September 4th, 2008 at 11:03 am
*fixed
September 4th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Intern Bill or Hef Chronicles?
September 4th, 2008 at 11:03 am
ReaderM, they are solid live.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:03 am
@sportsgal… I think that dude had to be wearing adult diapers last night.
6 months ago, he was just screwing Alaska’s Governor’s daughter. Not a big deal. She’s just a hot hockey mom with a cool job…
3 months ago, he was dropping a brick because he knocked the daughter up. Uh oh. She’s a card carrying member of the NRA and loves to shoot things. I could be in trouble.
1 month ago, he just screwed up his entire college “Get laid every weekend” life by being told he had to marry the girl. He agrees, remembering that card carrying, gun toting Governor for a mom.
Last night, he is forced to be on stage with his pregnant girlf…fiancee in front of 20-30 million people. In the back of his mind, he has to be thinking that he not only has to deal with the card carrying, gun toting potential VP, but also all the Secret Service agents that could likely do her dirty work for her. He is hosed.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Intern Bill or Hef Chronicles?
misleading logic/information VS 10,000+ word post
September 4th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Uh…this was in ESPN The Mag several days ago. That is quite a find
the beaver lives
September 4th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Also, for dudes there is no difference between “hot” and “good looking”
Now as for “cute” and “hot” we see a difference there…
September 4th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Ding, ding, ding. Best post of the week Wally’s World. Take a bow.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:07 am
“Cute” implies 10 to 25 extra pounds.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:07 am
With as easy as contraceptives are to get nowadays, the dude had no reason for not wrapping it up, especially if you know how conservative and gun toting the family is
September 4th, 2008 at 11:08 am
I dont know Wally. A kid from a shit town in Alaska. He is probably thinking “jackpot”
September 4th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Wally’s World that was 4 paragraphs of brilliance
September 4th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Politics talk in every post from now until Nov? man this is going to suck
September 4th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Irish, who ya got on your fantasy team?
September 4th, 2008 at 11:13 am
no shit.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:13 am
/nods head in agreement
September 4th, 2008 at 11:14 am
@mike NYC- where you been slacker? this is my squad
QB: K Warner/M Hassleback
RB: Barber/Portis/S young/ J Stewart/ Chris Perry
WR: Colston/TJ Hou/Lee Evans/ Vincent Jackson
TE: Gates
K: Jeff Reed
Def: GB/Buff
September 4th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Ok we can mix things up and just go with: o$u sucks donkey piston.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:15 am
That is a rough squad man. Also, 2 defenses? What the hell? Is there some sort of shortage or something?
September 4th, 2008 at 11:16 am
irish, i hope Tiki has a big year for you.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Looks pretty good. Who fell to the 4th round — Housh or Colston?
September 4th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Wally that is right on point.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:18 am
so this is going to be an everyday thing, huh?
September 4th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Is there some sort of shortage or something
9 active, 6 reserve
@mike NYC- Colston. I had the second to last pick in my draft. We snaked it at the end. I picked up J stewart because of all your Carloina hype
September 4th, 2008 at 11:18 am
@Irish… How many guys in that league? Looks like you did well…
September 4th, 2008 at 11:19 am
I dunno, Maggs. Portis/Barber/Colston/Housh/Gates is a pretty solid Top 5.
Agree on the defenses, though (obviously.)
September 4th, 2008 at 11:19 am
I almost always have 2 defenses on the roster – gotta get the best matchups.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Wally, excellent comment. That should be printed on a card and given out with condoms, it would do wonders for the safe sex movement.
Fantasy question – I’m having a hard time deciding who I should start for my receivers (TEs and WRs go together in this league). I’m for sure starting Fitz, but I can’t decide if I should put Jennings in there (who is up against Minnesota’s secondary) or start Winslow (against Dallas) or Shockey (who is still coming back from an injury and may only see limited action). Any suggestions? Right now I’m thinking Jennings.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Ha — I nabbed Stewart as well. And Chris Johnson but I just traded him.
SG: I’d go Winslow.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:21 am
I think I’m going to quit playing fantasy sports and get a job where I just scream at the top of my lungs all day like a jackass…
September 4th, 2008 at 11:21 am
@wally- 12
September 4th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Cheese doodles…
September 4th, 2008 at 11:21 am
winslow is going to be covered by roy williams or ken hamlin…make the smart choice. lt. winslow.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:22 am
@mike NYC- Stewart is a beast
September 4th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Winslow is going to be hit or miss this week.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:23 am
@sportsgal- go with the Soldier
September 4th, 2008 at 11:23 am
And that will net you like 4 points a year. your best bet is to have that spot open for an injury handcuff which COULD net you like 25 points a week, if you get lucky.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Irish is that an 8 team league or are you playing with a bunch of idiots?
September 4th, 2008 at 11:23 am
better than politics-talk. by the way, can I stil do this “EEEEES EEEEEEEY CEEEEEE SPEEEEEED!!!!1!11!” after what happened monday night?
/just checking.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:24 am
and apparently I’m way behind
September 4th, 2008 at 11:24 am
@diesel- 12 man league and yes i play with idiots
September 4th, 2008 at 11:25 am
@SG
Jennings is awesome (WMU what!?), but will Rogers be able to hit him deep? I am thinking Rogers will TE it up all day after going through his progressions. Even though it would normally be stupid to go TE over WR, I would use Soldier as well.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Sportgal-Jennings. Spencer is saying winslow because hes bias.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:26 am
@sportsgal… I would go with Winslow too, especially is its a point a reception league. He will catch a lot of dumpoffs from Anderson. Minny’s D is staunch and Rodgers is a question mark. None are gimmes except for Fitz, but I would choose K2.
@irish… I think you made out like a bandit then. Barber and Portis went 8 & 9 in my 12 team league. Colston and Housh were back to back picks in the 3rd too.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:27 am
@Maggs-I played against Jennings in football and basketball in high school. Hes a fucking beast(Obviously).
September 4th, 2008 at 11:27 am
ken hamlin. roy williams. THAT’S why i said the soldier. those guys can’t cover jack shit.
mizerle…i think after monday, you should sit the next few plays out.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:27 am
@maggs- you need 2 defenses to cover the bye weeks
September 4th, 2008 at 11:28 am
@Tampa
Yea I watched him play a bunch in college. He was the shit and I wish the Lions would have drafted him (insert Lions WR draft joke here).
September 4th, 2008 at 11:28 am
dun.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:29 am
@irish
So pick one up at the start of the week. Don’t DRAFT two D’s, that is an impossibly bad move.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:29 am
@wally- i think Portis will make or break my team
September 4th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Mags…i agree on the defense thing. scan the waiver wire for a D with a good matchup for the bye week. don’t waste an extra position on a D that you’ll milk a half dozen points out of all year.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:31 am
The soldier will have a tough time burning those safties when Demarcus Ware is sitting on DA
September 4th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Maggs – over long haul, the average difference is likely 4 points between 2 defenses. But, you can get huge swings on a week to week basis playing the matchups. For example, I have San Diego as my primary defense. But do you think I’m going to play them when they’re going against Indy or NE?
September 4th, 2008 at 11:32 am
if you have enough bench spots, drafting 2 defenses is a good idea to cover bye weeks and use for trade bait later on.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:34 am
I usually go through 8 or 9 defense’s (and kickers) a year trying to play matchups, works every year.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:35 am
joe thomas exists…therefore demarcus ware will not be heard of until week 2.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Who the hell is trading for defenses??? I guess I just don’t value defenses as highly. I do my defenses like I do my kickers, I pick up the best match-up on a week to week basis and pick up fliers with my extra roster spots hoping to find the back-up RB behind the guy who gets hurt that week. That is just my approach though. I guess you can hold on to 2 D’s all year, but it seems wasteful to me.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:36 am
@maggs- i didnt draft 2 d’s. i picked one up after the draft when i dropped Vince Yound. Take that August West
September 4th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Ha, at least you don’t have him (VY) on a 3 year contract! I drafted Jake Delhomme in my draft so I don’t ever have to use VY, that piece of shit.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Tampa Bo is black?
I had no idea.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:39 am
I guess every league scores differently. in our league, defenses typically account for around 20% of the teams weekly score. we also tweak the scoring equations every year to make different positions more important.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Hell, I had 3 good D’s last year, Giants, Colts, and Steelers and interchanged them depending on matchups each week. I won the championship.
Irish, do whatever works for you.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Greg Ellis exists therefore Brady Quinn will be starting week 2.
/god thank you football is back
September 4th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Hate the Cowboys but the Browns hype is ending after Week 1, they’re getting stomped.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Tease DAL down to +.5 and IND down to -3 and there’s your sure winner for the week.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:43 am
browns have the best OL in the NFL…and OLLLLLDDDD greg ellis won’t have shit this year. and the Cowboys’ DL sucks. and the browns are awesome.
and cbh is an asshole.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Sorry Spencer, I agreed with Dr. Z, talk to me about the Browns when they at least beat the Steelers. The hype they are getting is nauseating.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Cleveland is going down Spencer
September 4th, 2008 at 11:47 am
cbh…you realize taht im the all-powerful FFL commish right? keep the browns smack talk up and i think we might have an opening…capisce paisan?
September 4th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Ok, anything to prevent decimal point scoring.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:49 am
decimal point scoring is definitely for the gays
September 4th, 2008 at 11:51 am
haha…speaking of decimal point scoring…did you see my note this morning regarding that? it’s gone.
YYSA…i remain EXTREMELY, CAUTIOUSLY, ON GUARD AT ALL TIMES, RED ALERT, DEFCON 5, optimistic. after the tribe, i dont think i can handle another destroyed season without drinking myself into bolivian.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:52 am
@rittyrich-fo shizzle
September 4th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Tough to play fantasy in jail.
/Bill Nye
September 4th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Don’t worry Spencer as a Cowboy fan I have been the exact same way since 98′. We can both talk our shit. Just as long as the loser shows up for his medicine Monday morning
September 4th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Dallas is going to stop using Roy Williams on 3rd down and obvious passing situations. So Kellen will have to abuse either Henry or PacMan instead. I would go with Jennings because he has the ability to take even a short pass to the house.
September 4th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Been away from the dusk, but for the record, I meant the black person part.
September 4th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
I actually liked this piece. The stats don’t lie and I thought his reasoning was actually rational.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
TBL isn’t white?