Stephen A. Smith has a new physique, and he wants everyone to see it.
During an episode of ESPN’s “First Take” in San Antonio on Thursday, the polarizing sports commentator revealed shirtless pictures of himself to show his body transformation.
The “before” picture was taken four years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic. Smith says he was almost a “full diabetic” and was told he would have to take medication for the rest of his life.
“I can’t even tell you how bad I was,” Smith explained. “Nearly 30 percent body fat. A cholesterol level over 300, and .1 point away from being a full-blown diabetic, and that was after I had Covid, which damn near killed me.”
In the “after” photo, Smith is holding a basketball and showing off a slimmer and toned physique. He told viewers that he currently has only 9% body fat.
Check out the clip for yourself here:
Smith went on to express gratitude to his team, who he says helped him get in the best shape of his life.
“There are so many people I have to thank,” Smith said. “My friend JJ Smith with nutrition and green smoothie drinks. To Gary Brecka, for 10x Health and now the ultimate human. He saved my life. To my trainer, Obi Obadike, I train like five or six days a week.”
As people began to notice his physical transformation, Smith said many believed GLP-1s were responsible for his weight loss, something the host firmly denied.
“I didn’t take that. I’m doing cardio six days a week, weightlifting five days a week, I take my supplements and vitamins, but I’m not doing that,” he said.
Although he may be carrying less body fat, Smith’s confidence isn’t dwindling at all. During another segment in the episode, Smith received much shade from his “First Take” colleagues for saying that he’s too popular to sit in the stands at basketball games.
While celebrating the New York Knicks‘ Game 1 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, Smith commented on Jalen Brunson’s injury scare. He immediately received pushback from the “First Take” panel after stating why he doesn’t sit with the general population.
“I was standing in the tunnel, because that’s what I like to do,” said Smith. ‘Obviously, I’m a popular dude, so it’s difficult to sit in the stands and stuff like that.”
Smith’s remark was immediately met with audible sighs and exasperation from his “First Take” co-hosts. But of course, he kept talking.
“When he hurt his knee. When he got his knee banged, I turned around and left. I went to the back,” he continued. “I was sitting with Barkley and the crew because I needed to be assured. I needed to be assured that everything was going to be okay.”
Without question, Stephen A. Smith will not hesitate to flex on everyone, at any given time, shirt or no shirt, about who he believes he is as his ego grows bigger by the day.
