This week, the Seattle Seahawks made the news after they cut cornerback Kemah Siverand after he was caught trying to sneak a woman into the team hotel.
Everybody seemed to agree that the rookie needed to go, all except for Stephen A. Smith, who actually feels for the guy.
In an appearance on ESPN’s “Get Up!” Friday morning, Smith said he believes it constitutes “cruel and unusual punishment” that pro athletes are being asked to not have visitors and must remain celibate for several weeks to months.
“These athletes, particularly in the NBA with the bubble and now the NFL, have been subjected to cruel and unusual punishment,” Smith said. “The fact of the matter is this is a very difficult time that they’re living in right now. To sit up there and say they have to refrain from activities, per-se, is a huge struggle and we cannot minimize that.”
While Smith agreed with the Seahawks in cutting the rookie, he thinks the punishment was too harsh.
“I think if there’s anything that qualifies as a forgivable offense to some degree, assuming no body’s been harmed … if there’s anything that requires a level of compassion and understanding and forgiveness, this would qualify,” Smith added. “I think it’s important to say that.”
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Smith still believes there is “no way” athletes are going to adhere to rules about having unauthorized guests.
