Episode Summary: Stephen A's Take: Micah Parsons claims he was misquoted when criticizing head coach

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Stephen A. Smith Show
• Host: Stephen A. Smith
• Produced by: Stephen A. Smith and iHeartPodcasts
• Description: On The Stephen A. Smith Show, Stephen A. Smith delivers his renowned perspectives, transcending the boundaries of sports to address critical issues in entertainment, pop culture, society, business, and politics. Airing three times a week, the show features unfiltered opinions on the day’s biggest headlines and candid interviews with top celebrities, game-changers, and thought leaders.
• Episode Title: Stephen A's Take: Micah Parsons claims he was misquoted when criticizing head coach
• Release Date: November 12, 2024

1. Introduction to the Dallas Cowboys' Performance

Timestamp: [01:06]

Stephen A. Smith opens the discussion by addressing the recent performance of the Dallas Cowboys. Highlighting their latest defeat at home against the Philadelphia Eagles with a score of 34-6, Smith underscores the team's declining record.

"The Dallas Cowboys, who lost again at home yesterday to the Philadelphia Eagles 34 to 6. If I remember correctly, the Cowboys have now fallen at 3 and 6 and are now oh and 4 and at home." (01:06)

He notes that while the team's record is concerning, the more pressing issue arises from internal conflicts highlighted by player comments.

2. Micah Parsons' Controversial Comments

Timestamp: [01:06 - 03:30]

Smith transitions to focus on Micah Parsons, the Cowboys' defensive leader, who made headlines with his comments about the head coach, Mike McCarthy. Smith reads Parsons' statement:

"That's above my pay grade. If Mike's coach again next year, all coaching aside, Mike can leave and go where he wants to. Guys I kind of feel bad for are guys like Zach Martin and guys who might be on their last year on their way out, because that's who I wanted to hold the trophy for. You want to win games and do great things and those type of legends who put in more time and work than Mike McCarthy ever did. So those are the kind of guys that I have so much sympathy and hurt for." (01:30)

Smith highlights that Parsons later claimed he was misquoted regarding these remarks.

3. Micah Parsons' Response and Misquoting Claim

Timestamp: [03:30 - 04:22]

Addressing Parsons' attempt to clarify his statements, Smith references Parsons' social media post on X and his appearance on ESPN's Get Up show:

"You would think guys who played and coached the sport would have better journalism, but I was very wrong. They're trying to use my name, image and likeness with the Dallas Cowboys to continue to tear the beautiful organization with drama and bad media attention be better." (02:20)

Smith criticizes Parsons' response, questioning the sincerity and effectiveness of his attempt to rectify the situation.

4. Stephen A. Smith's Critique of Parsons' Comments

Timestamp: [02:20 - 05:12]

Smith launches into a critical analysis of Parsons' statements, expressing disappointment and frustration. He challenges Parsons' portrayal of the Dallas Cowboys as a "beautiful organization," pointing out the team's lackluster performance since their last trophy in 1995.

"You ain't had a trophy since 1995. What's beautiful? You, three and six, three games under .500. What's beautiful? You got a quarterback getting paid $60 million. Highest paid quarterback in the league. That brother home for the rest of the season." (03:30)

Smith emphasizes the discrepancy between Parsons' admiration for veteran players like Zach Martin and the reality of the team's struggles.

5. Proposed Strategies for Team Improvement

Timestamp: [05:12 - 07:08]

Transitioning from critique to solutions, Stephen A. Smith outlines a three-step plan to revitalize the Dallas Cowboys:

1. Fire Head Coach Mike McCarthy:

   "First things first, you gotta fire Mike McCarthy. You don't have to do it this year. There's no reason to do it until the end of the season. Cause the season ain't going nowhere anyway. So why not keep him around? You're paying him, right? Keep him around. Fire him at the end of the season, he's done. He's a dead man walking." (03:30)

2. Tank the Season:

   "Number two, tank the season so you can position yourself to have the number one overall pick." (04:39)

3. Hire Deion Sanders as Head Coach:

   "Step number three, you hire Prime Time Deion Sanders as your head coach, and you let him go draft his son Shador Sanders to become a Dallas Cowboy." (04:44)

Smith humorously suggests drafting Deion Sanders' hypothetical son, Shador Sanders, as the new quarterback, indicating a desire for fresh leadership and talent.

Damien Woody's Contributions

Throughout the discussion, Damien Woody interjects with supportive yet playful remarks:

• "Crowd that ain't beautiful." (03:30)
• "Not only is he not going to mind when Prime Time talks, he knows that Prime Time is going to go out there and get other players to want to play for him." (05:27)

Woody reinforces Smith's points by acknowledging the potential positive impact of hiring Deion Sanders, highlighting his ability to attract talent and evaluate players effectively.

6. Concluding Remarks and Final Recommendations

Timestamp: [06:15 - 07:08]

Smith reiterates his strategic plan, emphasizing the urgency and importance of each step to elevate the Cowboys' status:

"Prime Time Deion Sanders. Tank the season. Get the number one overall pick. Draft his son Shador Sanders as the new quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. Dak will be better off, better performing somewhere other than the pressurized environment of Big D. Shador Sanders shines under the bright lights." (06:01)

He underscores the necessity of decisive action to achieve long-term success, concluding with encouragement and determination.

Notable Quotes:

• Micah Parsons on Misquoting:

  "They're trying to use my name, image and likeness with the Dallas Cowboys to continue to tear the beautiful organization with drama and bad media attention be better." (02:22)

• Stephen A. Smith on Firing McCarthy:

  "Fire him at the end of the season, he's done. He's a dead man walking. No disrespect, it's just the truth." (03:30)

• Proposed Hiring of Deion Sanders:

  "Step number three, you hire Prime Time Deion Sanders as your head coach, and you let him go draft his son Shador Sanders to become a Dallas Cowboy." (04:44)

Conclusion:

In this episode, Stephen A. Smith passionately critiques Micah Parsons' comments regarding the Dallas Cowboys' head coach, Mike McCarthy. Smith does not merely express disappointment but also offers a bold, albeit unconventional, strategy to rejuvenate the struggling team. By advocating for significant changes in leadership and player acquisition, Smith underscores his commitment to accountability and excellence within the organization. Damien Woody's supportive interjections add depth to the discussion, highlighting the broader consensus on the need for transformative actions within the Cowboys' franchise.

Listeners gain insight into the internal dynamics of a major NFL team, the impact of player-coach relationships, and the high-stakes decisions that can shape a team's future. Smith's unfiltered opinions and strategic recommendations provide a comprehensive analysis, making this episode both informative and engaging for fans seeking a deeper understanding of the Dallas Cowboys' challenges and potential solutions.