The Miami Dolphins’ decision to fire general manager Chris Grier after 26 years with the organization was already a major shake-up. But when ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith immediately suggested the move was racially motivated, the story exploded into a full-blown firestorm, sparking fierce debate across social media.
Why Did Stephen A. Smith Suggest Race Played a Role in the Dolphins’ Decision?
On First Take, Smith did not hold back his frustration over what he viewed as an unfair double standard in Miami. He pointed to the team’s embarrassing 56–19 loss to the Ravens as a clear breaking point, but questioned why Grier, who is Black, was the one fired while head coach Mike McDaniel kept his job. Smith argued that both men were responsible for the team’s failure to advance.
“This is BS. That’s the first fire? Really? That’s what we’re doing?” Smith said. “It was about Tua [Tagovailoa]. It was about Mike McDaniel. And the brother gets fired first?”
Grier’s tenure with the Dolphins began in 2000, and he was promoted to general manager in 2016. During his time as GM, Miami compiled a 77–80 record and made three playoff appearances, though all of them ended with losses in the Wild Card round. In a statement, team owner Stephen M. Ross framed the move as a mutual decision, confirming that interim GM Champ Kelly would take over during the search for a permanent replacement.
However, Ross made it clear that the move was based on performance. “It became clear to both of us that change could not wait,” he stated. “We must improve.”
How Did Fans Respond to Smith’s Take?
The online reaction to Smith’s comments was swift and overwhelmingly negative, with many fans accusing him of creating a racial issue where one didn’t exist. One user captured the general sentiment, posting,
“It’s either Trump’s fault or it’s because he’s black. Typical excuse from the left. It’s one or the other.”
It’s either Trump‘s fault or it’s because he’s black. Typical excuse from the left. It’s one or the other.
— Garcia (@RMGarcia007) October 31, 2025
Many viewers dismissed Smith’s credibility entirely. One fan wrote, “Stephen A makes a lot of money to be an opinion. That’s all he is, an opinion.”
Another added, “Stephen A is unreliable. He flip flops back and forth on issues. Even though he has ESPN by the balls, he is a political hack!!”
Others insisted the decision was purely about winning. One user argued, “All the team cares about is winning. Race does not have a role, so don’t try to create an issue where there is none.”
Some fans pointed to Grier’s specific personnel decisions as the real reason for his dismissal. One comment read, “He was fired for giving Tua a $150 million deal when he never earned it… The owner made the call.”
Ultimately, most commenters simply weren’t buying the racial angle. As one user put it, “So many things wrong with his take, as usual. Skin color had less than zero to do with job performance.”
While the Dolphins’ front office undergoes a major transition, the backlash to Smith’s critique makes it clear that many fans felt his reasoning had no place in the conversation about Grier’s performance.
