Kirk Herbstreit, Deion Sanders react to controversial Will Smith-Chris Rock Oscar moment
After a viral and incredible moment during the Oscars live broadcast, Deion Sanders commented on the altercation between Will Smith and Chris Rock. The Oscars had Chris Rock presenting on stage, when he made a joke at the expense of Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Smith took exception to the joke and walked on stage, slapping Rock before returning to his seat and shouting expletives at Rock.
The segment was cut live as editors tried to cut it away, but the camera caught a moment of Smith’s cursing leaving fans confused. Later, unedited footage surfaced online, revealing that it did not appear to be a comedic bit — but an actual moment of tension.
Sanders and Herbstreit on Will Smith slapping Chris Rock
“Did I just see what I just saw! Will Smith punched Chris Rock live on stage!!! Somebody tell me this was a joke. Please. Chris took it like a STANDUP GUY LITERALLY!!! WOW WOW WOW! Lord help us please help us Love each other especially in front of company,” said Sanders of the viral moment.
“Watching live — was that real?? Did Will Smith just smack Chris Rock across the jaw?? Or were they just playin around. Will Smith seemed like it was very real! Damn,” added Herbstreit as well.
The sports world joined the rest of the nation on Sunday night as the Oscars took a wild turn late in the evening. The moment drew eyes immediately because of the choppy editing, as viewers scrambled to understand what had exactly happened. As Rock worked the crowd and told jokes, he took aim at actress Jada Pinkett Smith for her hair styling as he told her he was waiting for “GI Jane 2.”
WARNING: The following video contains explicit language.
After the slap, Rock acknowledged the hit by saying “Wow. Will Smith just slapped the s**t out of me.”
As Smith took his seat, he could be heard shouting “Keep my wife’s name out your f***ing mouth. Keep my wife’s name out your f***ing mouth.”
Another video to come out of the evening showed Smith after the incident during a commercial break being consoled by fellow actors Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry. Smith re-took his seat beside his wife as the commercial break ended, appearing to wipe tears from his eyes.
As the winners for the category Rock was presenting took the stage, Smith could be seen on the broadcast congratulating them, appearing to apologize for interrupting their moment in the spotlight.