ESPN Commentator Stephen A. Smith’s Late Mother, Janet Smith, Was Almost His Only Parent After Father Abandoned the Family
November 30, 2026
This article was last updated by Aditi Rai on November 30, 2026
The American sports journalist Stephen and his siblings never liked their father for abandoning them and having another family while their mother struggled for food and education.
Stephen A. Smith is an American sports commentator and analyst with often controversial takes on sports subjects.
Over the decades, his work with ESPN’s “First Take ” has made him a household name in sports journalism.
Like his complex professional take, the TV host has complex and unlucky familial situations. We know least about Smith’s dad, and he even lost his mother later on.
Stephen Smith is the father of and understands well what losing loved ones takes from life.
He always had a notably private life with his family but has opened up about them in interviews and podcasts. He has even talked about his mother’s passing and an incident related to his dad.
Sports Analyst Stephen A. Smith’s Early Life Coexisted With Financial Complications and Family Feud With Father!
s complex family background has influenced his life and career, especially his mother’s sacrifices.
He was born on October 14, 1967, in The Bronx, New York City. The commentator was raised in a large family in the Hollis section of Queens with five other siblings.
Smith is the youngest of six children, with four older sisters and an older brother named Basil. Unfortunately, Basil passed away in a car accident in 1992.
Moreover, he has a half-brother from his father’s side, making his already large family even more complex.
Reports suggest that hailed from Saint Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
His mother, Janet Smith, was his sole parent after their father abandoned them and even had another family.
Janet worked tirelessly as a registered nurse at Queens General Hospital for over two decades to support the family.
The lady even had to take multiple jobs to feed and educate her children, making things more difficult.
Stephen A. Smith has described himself as a “momma’s boy” and credits his mother with shaping him into the person he is today.
Despite the love and compassion, life wasn’t easy for him as she passed in 2017 battling colon cancer.
The sports pundit openly mourned her demise and expressed how deeply he misses her even after years.
While his love for his mother, Janet, is evident, he rarely talks about his dad. However, we know that he managed a hardware store.
His father had a strained relationship with Stephen and his siblings. He further worsened it by marrying another woman while his children were already growing.
Stephen has talked about a heated exchange with his dad, confronting him about abandoning them.
His sisters understand the situation even better. They once stopped talking with Smith as he discussed their dad’s topic in his memoir.
Stephen Smith’s Mother’s Demise Following Colon Cancer Was Devastating, Says the Worst Thing Ever Happened to Him!
In interviews, Stephen A. has talked about his mother’s struggles, noting that they were deprived of a lot of things.
However, despite the financial circumstances, she stood by everything, intensifying his respect for his mother.
The multi-sports analyst has learned from her sacrifices, which taught him the importance of prioritizing family above all else.
When Janet Smith passed away after a battle with colon cancer, he experienced emotional turmoil. He lost the only last thing he had in the name of his parents.
The image of her casket being lowered into the ground haunted him for years, especially the first two years.
According to a , he addressed it, stating:
I never thought about killing myself, but for two years every single day at some moment in time I wished I was dead. That is how bad my life was without my mother.
His proudest moment came when he retired from work after signing a lucrative contract with ESPN in 2005.
Stephen Smith vividly recalls driving her home from work one day and telling her she would never have to work again.
However, only his mother’s memories of struggles and teachings remain, and they continue to guide him.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Stephen A. Smith’s maternal grandmother was white, while the rest of his grandparents were Black.
- Beyond sports commentary, he has worked in several television shows and films.
- Smith began his television career in 1999 on CNN/SI, a now-defunct sports network.
- Check other Articles on
Ujjwal Parajuli is a seasoned writer with extensive experience in the field, having dedicated many years to honing his craft. His work spans a variety of genres, demonstrating his versatility and depth as a writer. Alongside his passion for storytelling, Ujjwal has a keen interest in sports, particularly football, American football, baseball, and several other athletic pursuits.
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