Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless of ESPN's First Take are known to make some pretty controversial statements from time to time. Now, Bayless is being accused of pandering to the lowest common denominator with his recent statements about Johnny Manziel being a liar and alcoholic. Similar controversy happened last year with Seattle's Richard Sherman.
Bayless is best known for his current talk show on ESPN2, First Take. However, before that, he had a somewhat prestigious career in print journalism.
After graduating from Vanderbilt University, he got a job straight away with The Miami Herald. After writing sports columns there for a couple of years, the Los Angeles Times hired him. Since then, he has worked for several other respectable outlets and has even been recognized by the Wall Street Journal.
Even though his accomplishments have been commendable, the style of which he achieves them is under scrutiny once again. According to TMZ Sports, Bayless tactlessly called out Johnny Manziel:
"ESPN star Skip Bayless just unloaded on Johnny Manziel ... claiming he's spoken with several people close to the Browns QB and he is convinced Johnny is an alcoholic and a liar. Bayless made the comments on First Take -- telling Stephen A. Smith he's spoken with many people 'in and around the Cleveland Browns' organization and is convinced the 22-year-old has a serious drinking problem. Skip's comments come in the wake of media reports that Johnny skipped a team treatment session on Saturday following a raging party on Friday night."
Sometimes the statements and actions of both hosts seem like something that belongs in a soap opera. According to Business Insider, Skip and Richard Sherman added fire to the flames of controversy back in 2013:
"Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks appeared on ESPN's "First Take" on Thursday and opened up a personal attack on show co-host Skip Bayless...Afterwards ESPN's own Bill Simmons criticized a show that many believe caters to the lowest common denominator (via Twitter)..."
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