Steelers' Calvin Austin calls out Stephen A. Smith over controversial Memphis comments

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin called out ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith for his recent comments on the city of Memphis.

During an appearance on First Take on Tuesday, Smith stated that NBA players don't want to play in Memphis for the Grizzlies because of the safety of the city.

"Cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel like it’s the safest environment. I’m talking to the local authorities in Memphis. You gotta clean some of that stuff up," Smith said on why NBA players don't want to play in Memphis.

Smith doubled down on his view of Memphis on Wednesday during First Take, stating that is recognized as one of the worst cities in the country, though he did say that it is moving in the right direction.

"It's moving in the right direction, but it's still recognized as one of the worst cities in America. To the point where the head of the FBI has called it 'the murder capital of this country' per capita. That's on the record," Smith said on First Take on Wednesday.

Austin, who is a Memphis native and played college football at the University of Memphis, called out Smith on X for his recent comments about the city.

"Please just ignore dude, disney said he needed some more engagements cause ratings were looking 🥴," Austin wrote on X regarding Smith's comments on Memphis.

Austin isn't the only athlete that has called out Smith for his comments, as Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant also responded to Smith in a recent social media post.

"Talkin bout the grizz more than the finals😂 wit these 🧢 ahh sources," Morant wrote on X on Tuesday.