Straight Shooter | Stephen A. Smith

Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes

Extended Synopsis

In Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes, America’s most recognizable sports media personality delivers a surprisingly intimate look at his life and career. Stephen A. Smith dispenses his signature uninhibited commentary while revealing the man behind the microphone. Far from an overnight success, Smith recounts growing up poor in Queens as the youngest of six children to Caribbean immigrant parents. Battling undiagnosed dyslexia and financial hardship, he found early direction as a basketball player at Winston-Salem State University, where he famously wrote a column arguing for the retirement of his own Hall of Fame coach, Clarence Gaines.

The memoir tracks his relentless rise from a high school reporter at the Daily News in New York to a general sports columnist at The Philadelphia Inquirer, eventually landing his own show at ESPN in 2005. Smith writes candidly about his unceremonious firing from the network in 2009 and the intense determination that drove him to get rehired two years later, securing his place on First Take. Along with his thoughts on major figures like Skip Bayless, Ray Rice, Colin Kaepernick, and Donald Trump, Smith pulls back the curtain on his private life. He shares authentic stories about his parents, fatherhood, his harrowing battle with COVID-19, and his unfiltered views on politics and social issues.

Reader Targeting

• Avid sports fans and followers of ESPN's programming seeking behind-the-scenes stories and sports media history.
• Readers of memoirs and autobiographies interested in stories of overcoming adversity, career setbacks, and achieving success.
• Students of journalism and broadcasting looking for real-world insights from a leading industry figure.

Accolades & Awards

• Officially recognized as a New York Times Bestseller.
• Celebrated as an ESPN Media Favorite Book.

Author Biography

Stephen A. Smith is an American sports television personality, sports radio host, sports journalist, and actor. He is the featured commentator on ESPN's flagship morning show, First Take, and is widely regarded as one of the most popular and influential voices in sports media. Known for his razor-sharp intelligence, fearless debate style, and charismatic delivery, Smith has built a multi-decade career covering the biggest events and personalities in the sports world.

Real Players Shop Bust-Down