"ESPN has no standards": Jason Whitlock blasts Stephen A. Smith over calling Drake Maye "liar" on national TV

Media personality Jason Whitlock has lashed out at ESPN after Stephen A. Smith’s statement calling New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye a liar. Smith attacked Maye on Friday’s edition of First Take in defense of his colleague Cam Newton, to whose criticism the quarterback had responded.

Newton had described the Patriots’ successful campaign as “fool’s gold,” citing the team’s relatively easier schedule as the premise. Maye responded earlier this week by saying he doesn’t know which show the former Carolina Panthers quarterback appeared on. Smith said on Friday’s episode of First Take:

“[Drake Maye] is a liar. … ‘First Take’ is the number one morning show… Don’t tell me you’re an athlete and you don’t know that. Don’t tell me you’re an athlete and you don’t know that Cam Newton is on this show. You lying.”

Whitlock responded to Smith’s comment in multiple separate posts on X. In one post, the former ESPN columnist wrote:

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“You don’t call someone a LIAR over this. Calling someone a liar is a serious allegation. ESPN has no standards when it comes to SAS and their race idolators. This is embarrassing.”

In another post, Whitlock called out the hypocrisy of Smith calling someone a liar. He wrote:

“Imagine being Stephen A. Smith, sitting on TV for 2+ decades, lying about a college basketball career, lying about a 6-inch screw in your knee, lying about 17 straight 3 pointers, AND calling Drake Maye a liar because he didn’t know Cam Newton was on First Take. Wow.”

Drake Maye and the Patriots’ form so far this season

New England is one of the most in-form teams in the NFL this season, sitting atop the AFC East with a 9-2 record. Drake Maye’s leadership under center has proven instrumental to the Patriots’ incredible run this season, including an eight-game winning streak.

The North Carolina alum currently leads the league in passing with 2,836 yards for 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. Patriots fans have chanted for Maye to be the league’s MVP. While it’s still early to make such calls, Maye is a strong candidate for the award.

However, much will depend on how he carries the Patriots in the playoffs and his performance against the remainder of the regular season teams.

The Patriots’ next opponents are the Cincinnati Bengals (3-7). The Patriots are the favorites to leave the game with a win.

Edited by Kayode Akinwumi