Stephen A. Smith shreds Tua Tagovailoa over 'ignorant-ass comment' about Cam Newton

Embattled Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa clapped back at critical comments made by ex-NFL quarterback Cam Newton earlier this week on ESPN’s First Take, seemingly comparing the former NFL MVP to a casual commentator or fan. The implication was that Newton didn’t know what he was talking about.

“Cam’s doing his thing, for sure, but I think it’s easier to be able to hold a clicker and talk about it that way or talk about what someone else is doing wrong when you’re not going out and having to do the same as them,” Tagovailoa said Thursday, via FinsXtra. “It’s easy to do that. I think anyone can do that, I don’t think anybody can play quarterback.”

Of course, Newton actually played quarterback at an extremely high level across multiple levels. It’s because of that reality, and Tagovailoa’s clear dismissal of that fact, that First Take firebrand host Stephen A. Smith tore into the 27-year-old Dolphins QB’s “ignorant-ass comments” on Friday’s show.

“Props to you (Newton) for the class that you’ve shown in your response, because I didn’t think you said anything wrong about Tua. I like Tua Tagovailoa and I respect him, but that might be one of the most ignorant-ass comments coming out of a quarterback’s mouth,” Smith said during Friday’s First Take. “What he said to you, he should’ve been saying to somebody like me who’s never played. … You played in the NFL for 11 years. Now, there were times when I was critical of your accuracy throwing the football. But I didn’t forget that you were a Heisman Trophy winner and he was a Heisman Trophy finalist. I didn’t forget that you won a national championship just like (Tagovailoa) did. I didn’t forget that you went undefeated in winning a national championship as the quarterback at Auburn, that you were the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, where he went No. 5 (overall). … I didn’t forget that you led the Carolina Panthers to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl berth. I didn’t forget the fact that you were a NFL MVP, which he’s never been.

Stephen A. Smith: Tua Tagovailoa ‘showed he’s caught up in his feelings’ with criticism of Cam Newton

“Why is he talking about you like you’re me or somebody that hasn’t played the game. … This is the kind of nonsense, … certain professional athletes get so caught up in their feelings that they’re ignorance comes oozing out. … Sometimes because you’re caught up in your feelings, you forget where to direct your ire at,” Smith continued. “If Tua has an issue with what you’re saying, then break down and critique what you’re saying as opposed to a fallback that’s reserved for journalists and pundits and commentators. You played, you starred, at that position. And he’s acting like you’ve never done this before. … That is the most asinine comment he could’ve come up with, and showed he’s caught up in his feelings. … I just think it’s ignorant.”

Newton also addressed Tagovailoa’s clapback on Friday, though he suggested the Dolphins’ QB’s “clicker” comments weren’t specifically in reference to himself. Newton’s original comments stem from his evaluation of Tagovailoa’s play in Miami’s 31-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills (3-0) on Sunday, in which he threw a costly interception late in the fourth quarter.

“Tua Tagovailoa is making more than Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, Matthew Stafford, Jayden Daniels. Am I pocket watching? No, no, no. I’m putting things into perspective here,” Newton said earlier this week. “What did Biggie say, ‘More money, more problems.’ In this case, it should be more money, more expectations. When I see Tua Tagovailoa over this year alone, I’ve heard him more than I ever have.

“That’s not to say you can’t talk. I like quiet Tua, Alabama Tua, chip-on-the-shoulder Tua, not somebody going to come in and watch film. … What you’re being paid, what you’re being asked to do, what you have the capability of. From one quarterback to another, I look at a situation, it’s like, ‘Bro, come on, dog.’ Especially when you got a Ferrari, and a Lamborghini, and other amenities that some quarterbacks wish they had.”