Stephen A. Smith Gets Excited by ESPN Co-Worker Chiney Ogwumike Speaking French On-Air: That ‘Turned Me On’

Chiney Ogwumike at the 2026 WNBA draft in N.Y.C. on April 13
Credit: David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty

While Ogwumike seemingly brushed off Smith's comments with a laugh, quipping that he was “crazy,” users on social media — including sports influencer Coach Jackie J — called Smith's remarks inappropriate.

“Stephen A. Smith needs to face consequences for that,” the influencer said on Instagram. “I think he should be fired. I'll lead that charge, fire Stephen A. Smith. You should have done it years ago, but you should do it now because of this.”

In the comments of her video, many people agreed with Coach Jackie J's take on the situation — including former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens and Ashanti Plummer, who co-host the Fudd Around and Find Out podcast alongside Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd.

“Guarantee, he'll make an apology and nothing will be done about it. It'll be all good,” Owens, 52, wrote, after which Plummer, 31, added, “EWWWW.”

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Stephen A. Smith on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' on March 5, 2025
Credit: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty

“100% agree doesn't matter if ‘it's a joke' or ‘it was lighthearted' that does not matter,” another commenter said. “No one should be facing sexual advancements at work… And laughter is a common defense mechanism to diffuse unwanted attention.”

ESPN did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

After joining ESPN in 2003, Smith found himself under fire on a separate occasion when he made an inappropriate joke about sports journalist Molly Qerim's phone ringing — or vibrating — during the show in 2023.

"That's Molly's cell phone ringing, by the way," he said at the time, after which Qerim quickly pointed out that her phone was on vibrate, per Outkick.

"I try to say ring. Do you want me to say vibrating on the air?" Smith continued during the uncomfortable moment. “You always like me mentioning vibrating on-air with you with your phone. You really want me to do that?”

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