{"id":1308525,"date":"2021-01-28T09:29:31","date_gmt":"2021-01-28T14:29:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/?p=1308525"},"modified":"2023-06-22T14:18:34","modified_gmt":"2023-06-22T18:18:34","slug":"espns-stephen-a-smith-once-received-a-massive-piece-of-career-changing-advice-from-kobe-bryant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/news\/espns-stephen-a-smith-once-received-a-massive-piece-of-career-changing-advice-from-kobe-bryant\/","title":{"rendered":"ESPN's Stephen A. Smith Once Received a Massive Piece of Career-Changing Advice From Kobe Bryant"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you're a sports fan, it's virtually guaranteed that you're familiar with Stephen A. Smith<\/a>. The New York City native has become a major player on the sports media<\/a> scene. It turns out that we can (partially) thank the late, great Kobe Bryant for that reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2006, Smith and Bryant were talking in the green room when the NBA star shared a major piece of career advice. Since then, Smith has kept that message in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stephen A. Smith's rise to national fame <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you think of professional sports, it's usually the athletes who get top billing. Some members of the media, however, can become legitimate celebrities in their own right. Just look at Stephen A. Smith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smith grew up in New York City but headed south to North Carolina to attend Winston-Salem University<\/a> on a basketball scholarship. While an injury limited his time on the court, Stephen A. started writing. His communication skills, not playing<\/a>, would become his ticket to stardom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=F04CLTclqU8\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After graduation, Smith scored a series of newspaper jobs and eventually joined the Philadelphia Inquirer. The columnist also started branching out into other forms of media. He scored his own radio show and TV show, both on ESPN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there have been some bumps in the road — Smith was demoted at the Inquirer, briefly left ESPN, and made controversial comments<\/a> along the way — things have worked out pretty well. These days, he's back with the Worldwide Leader, makes plenty of money, and is one of the most recognizable personalities in sports media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kobe Bryant offered some career-changing advice <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

RELATED: A Young Kobe Bryant Felt Insulted by Michael Jordan\u2019s Advice <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on his on-air persona, it's easy to imagine Smith being supremely confident<\/a> in his own abilities and never needing guidance from anyone. In 2006, however, Bryant offered him some career-changing advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The last time I saw Kobe Bryant, it was the happiest I had ever seen him. pic.twitter.com\/UwqJscUsCo<\/a><\/p>— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 26, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote>