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Straight Shooter (Audio Book Review)

A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes

By 88swadePublished about a year ago 4 min read
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Straight Shooter (Audio Book Review)
Photo by 3DVisu on Unsplash

An Audible Original

Sports analyst, commentator, and television personality Steven A. Smith is most known for his role as co-host of ESPN's "First Take," where he offers intelligent commentary and analysis on a variety of sports-related topics. Smith has contributed significantly to the field of sports media during the course of his career, and his work has received widespread acclaim and respect.

Steven A. Smith's ability to engage audiences with his own viewpoint and criticism is one of his most significant professional achievements. He has a thorough awareness of the sports world and is able to communicate it to viewers in an interesting and approachable way. He is now among the most well-known and regarded sports analysts in the nation as a result of this.

Another major accomplishment of Steven A. Smith's career is his ability to adapt and evolve as a commentator. He has been able to keep pace with the rapidly changing landscape of sports media, and he has consistently been able to stay ahead of the curve. This has allowed him to maintain his relevance and appeal to audiences over the years.

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In addition to his work as a sports analyst, Steven A. Smith is also a highly respected journalist. He has written extensively on a wide range of sports topics, and his work has been published in a number of major publications. He has also won several awards for his journalism, including the Associated Press Sports Editors award.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Steven A. Smith is also a dedicated philanthropist. He has been involved in a number of charitable organizations and causes, including the Starlight Children's Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Steve Smith Family Charitable Fund. He has also been a vocal advocate for education and has been instrumental in helping to raise awareness and funds for a number of educational initiatives.

Overall, Steven A. Smith is a highly accomplished and respected figure in the world of sports media. He has made significant contributions to the field, and his work has been widely recognized and respected. Whether as a sports analyst, journalist, or philanthropist, Steven A. Smith has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence and has had a positive impact on the world of sports.

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In this shockingly personal book, America's most well-known sports media personality tells it like it is, not only dishing out his trademark, unfiltered opinions, but also disclosing the struggles he encountered as a child and at ESPN, as well as who he really is when the cameras are off.

Stephen A. Smith wasn't given anything, and he didn't become successful overnight. He was the youngest of six children and the son of Caribbean immigrants who lived in poverty in Queens. He was a sports-obsessed youngster who struggled with a variety of issues, such as undiagnosed dyslexia and not having enough cereal to fill his bowl. He discovered his true passion while playing basketball at Winston-Salem State University when he penned a newspaper letter supporting the retirement of his own Hall of Fame coach, Clarence Gaines.

Before gaining his own show at ESPN in 2005, Smith hustled and advanced from a high school reporter at Daily News (New York) to a general sports columnist at The Philadelphia Inquirer in the 1990s. He was much more determined to pursue success after being abruptly sacked from the network in 2009. His razor-sharp intellect and fearless debating style helped him secure a position on the program he was destined to front: First Take, the network's premier morning show. He was rehired two years later.

Smith discusses his career's and life's highest highs and lowest lows in Straight Shooter. He shares his opinions on Skip Bayless, Ray Rice, Colin Kaepernick, the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Knicks, and the late President Donald Trump. However, he also pulls back the curtain and discusses life outside of the stage, sharing real-life accounts of his careless father, his devoted mother, becoming a father himself, his struggle with the potentially fatal COVID-19, and what he truly believes about politics and social issues. He does it all with the same charm, wit, and intelligence that have made him famous.

Provocative, moving, and eye-opening, this book is the perfect gift for lovers of sports, television, and anyone who likes their stories delivered straight to the heart.

To further your grasp on Steven A. Smith and his endeavors click the link for your free Audible book!

https://amzn.to/3CBwABl

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