ESPN commentator Stephen A Smith joined the crowd of sports personalities criticizing Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon for standing on the sidelines.Irsay-Gordon has wanted to learn more about the sport since inheriting the team from her late father, Jim Irsay. In this effort, she has been spotted at football games roaming the Colts sideline with a headset and a notepad, asking questions to coaches.This has irritated some in the sports world, with Smith the latest to jump into the ring. But rather than be angry for her presence, the First Take star questioned the lack of changes in the team.’You can’t defend what the hell this organization has been,’ Smith said of the Colts, who now sit at 2-6 on the season.’This owner, I’m sitting here going like this. I didn’t mind her parading up and down the sidelines, that’s what she does. ‘My whole point is: What the hell you doing that for if you ain’t gonna do nothing about the product you’re seeing? What you on the sideline for? You just sightseeing? Do something! Get rid of somebody! Make a change! Send a message that you’re moving in a different direction.’Stephen A. Smith on Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon: “What you on the sideline for? You just sightseeing? Do something! Get rid of somebody! Make a change!”Jeff Saturday: “She just fired a guy!” pic.twitter.com/6VX3PMLdZM— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 4, 2026 Stephen A. Smith (L) was slammed for his criticism of Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon (R) Smith drew a stunned reaction from Jeff Saturday (R) suggesting the owner hasn’t done anything to make a change as the Colts struggle through a 2-6 season But Irsay-Gordon did make a big change, firing general manager Chris Ballard weeks agoAt this point, ESPN NFL analyst and former Colts center Jeff Saturday pointed out that Irsay-Gordon did, in fact, ‘get rid of somebody’ – having just fired general manager Chris Ballard.’She fired a guy! She fired somebody, she did do something!’ Saturday remarked.Rather than admit he got it wrong, Smith then wondered why she hadn’t fired head coach Shane Steichen. ‘Why the coach there?’ Smith said. ‘What’s he there for? Stop, stop. Don’t wait, you ain’t going nowhere. Let the people in Indianapolis know you’re moving in a different direction.’ On social media, fans slammed Smith: ‘[She] Fired the GM and shipped two franchise guys,’ one user said – referring to Ballard and players Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner.Another user posted: ‘We are watching him move the goalposts in real time’ ‘Stephen A is so out of touch. Does he not know she fired the GM and is actively trading players?’ wrote another. ‘Stephen A misinformed a** probably didn’t have a clue she fired the GM just like his political takes just talking out the side of his neck,’ read another rebuke.
Stephen A Smith slammed by NFL fans for ‘clueless’ rant about Colts owner’s lack of action… as even his co-hosts call out his mistake live on air
ESPN commentator Stephen A Smith joined the crowd of sports personalities criticizing Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon for standing on the sidelines.Irsay-Gordon has wanted to learn more about the sport since inheriting the team from her late father, Jim Irsay. In this effort, she has been spotted at football games roaming the Colts sideline with a headset and a notepad, asking questions to coaches.This has irritated some in the sports world, with Smith the latest to jump into the ring. But rather than be angry for her presence, the First Take star questioned the lack of changes in the team.’You can’t defend what the hell this organization has been,’ Smith said of the Colts, who now sit at 2-6 on the season.’This owner, I’m sitting here going like this. I didn’t mind her parading up and down the sidelines, that’s what she does. ‘My whole point is: What the hell you doing that for if you ain’t gonna do nothing about the product you’re seeing? What you on the sideline for? You just sightseeing? Do something! Get rid of somebody! Make a change! Send a message that you’re moving in a different direction.’Stephen A. Smith on Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon: “What you on the sideline for? You just sightseeing? Do something! Get rid of somebody! Make a change!”Jeff Saturday: “She just fired a guy!” pic.twitter.com/6VX3PMLdZM— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 4, 2026 Stephen A. Smith (L) was slammed for his criticism of Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon (R) Smith drew a stunned reaction from Jeff Saturday (R) suggesting the owner hasn’t done anything to make a change as the Colts struggle through a 2-6 season But Irsay-Gordon did make a big change, firing general manager Chris Ballard weeks agoAt this point, ESPN NFL analyst and former Colts center Jeff Saturday pointed out that Irsay-Gordon did, in fact, ‘get rid of somebody’ – having just fired general manager Chris Ballard.’She fired a guy! She fired somebody, she did do something!’ Saturday remarked.Rather than admit he got it wrong, Smith then wondered why she hadn’t fired head coach Shane Steichen. ‘Why the coach there?’ Smith said. ‘What’s he there for? Stop, stop. Don’t wait, you ain’t going nowhere. Let the people in Indianapolis know you’re moving in a different direction.’ On social media, fans slammed Smith: ‘[She] Fired the GM and shipped two franchise guys,’ one user said – referring to Ballard and players Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner.Another user posted: ‘We are watching him move the goalposts in real time’ ‘Stephen A is so out of touch. Does he not know she fired the GM and is actively trading players?’ wrote another. ‘Stephen A misinformed a** probably didn’t have a clue she fired the GM just like his political takes just talking out the side of his neck,’ read another rebuke.