Skip Bayless has been known as a controversial figure within sports broadcasting since his days going head-to-head with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN. Now, sitting across from Shannon Sharpe on FOX Sports’ Undisputed, the 71-year-old continues to stir conversation with his rhetoric, his latest being an ill-timed tweet questioning the NFL season after Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the field during their Jan. 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“No doubt the NFL is considering postponing the rest of this game – but how?” Bayless tweeted as Hamlin laid on the field. “This late in the season, a game of this magnitude is crucial to the regular-season outcome … which suddenly seems so irrelevant.”
Several of Hamlin’s peers and supporters immediately took issue with Bayless questioning the future of the season as Hamlin was being carried off the field, deeming it insensitive.
Check out everyone who has called out Bayless for his tweet below.
-
Michael Strahan
While Michael Strahan didn’t name any names, it was pretty obvious he was taking Bayless to task during FOX Sports’ Jan. 08 pre-game show.
“You know, I’ve struggled with this in a lot of ways because it’s so much just about being an athlete and experiencing being on the field and being that close to guys, and then you see something happen to a young man like that. You don’t have to be a football player to understand how big this was,” Strahan said.
“And you spoke about humanity. … There were things done here by someone here at this network that were inhumane,” he added, as Bayless’ Undisputed is also a FOX Sports show.
“I’m sorry to take this route, but I just felt like sensible people and sensible human beings have a heart. They understand that your words and what you say really have an impact on that young man’s family.”
-
Stephen Jackson
Stephen Jackson was so taken aback by Bayless’ tweet that he threatened to slap the sports analyst.
“Ima slap the sh*t outta Skip Bayless u too bold. All respect gone. We talking about a life. I maybe sensitive from losing my lil bro and lil sis or I may just have a heart. Smdh.”
-
Matt Barnes
Jackson’s All The Smoke cohost Matt Barnes isn’t fond of Bayless either, not only stating his own dislike for the talking head, but claiming he has stopped one athlete and one coach from beating up the controversial sports journo.
“I know personally that I’ve had to diffuse two situations,” Barnes said. “One with a coach, and one with an NBA player. They wanted to f**k Skip up. One was this year, one was last year. Luckily, cooler heads prevailed, but it’s just gone too far in my opinion.”
He continued, adding, “I just feel as of late he’s been very very very disrespectful and out of pocket, and that’s normal, but he’s been that way to Shannon [Sharpe]. I think Skip’s day is coming, and it may not be from a firing standpoint because you know white men in this profession can kinda get away with and do what they want.”
-
Kendrick Perkins
Kendrick Perkins was concise in his criticism of Bayless, replying directly to the tweet in question with six words: You’re a sick individual. Real Talk.
-
Dez Bryant
Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, like Perk, kept it short in his Twitter response, replying to Bayless, “F**K YOU SKIP BAYLESS!” followed by, “WE NEED TO CANCEL @RealSkipBayless ASAP!!!”
-
Sauce Gardner
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner also replied directly to Bayless’ tweet, writing, “Are you seriously talking about when the football game should be postponed? Damar Hamlin’s health is ALL that matters at the moment! Nothing else!!!”