ESPN commentator and First Take host Stephen A. Smith learned a valuable lesson from his pastor shortly before delivering a eulogy at his father's funeral.
Smith said in an interview with Sean Hannity In the new two-part Fox Nation special, “Sean,” Although he was not able to repair his relationship with his father while he was alive, “reconciliation came on the day of his funeral” in 2018. Although it “wasn’t the plan,” according to Smith, the sports media outlet announced The star told his family members that he wanted to deliver a eulogy.
“I've got these things in my mind…I've kept them for years,” Smith recalled telling his pastor before his speech. He told his longtime friend Hannity that he disagreed with the way his father treated his mother, explaining in the interview that “what he felt, how he acted, what he said, was nothing compared to what he did to her.”
Join Stephen A. Smith joined Fox Nation host Sean Hannity for an exclusive, in-depth conversation about the new show, “Sean.” (Fox News)
But his pastor advised him not to talk about his complaints at his father's funeral.
“He took me to the Bible in the book of Matthew about forgiveness,” Smith said. “It was about making sure you understand that the power of forgiveness is absolute power.”
Smith proceeded to eulogize his father, heeding his pastor's advice and choosing to be more tolerant in his language. He recalls ending his speech by saying, “I know there's a lot to complain about. But he was my father. I loved him.”
“I thank the priest every day for speaking to me that morning, because if I had not had the conversation with him, the person my sister Carmen heard on the phone an hour earlier would not have given that eulogy.”
Smith also spoke of his love for his mother, calling her “the greatest mother I've ever known.” He said he and his sister saw his mother starving “just to make sure we weren't hungry.”
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ESPN host Stephen A. Smith has made numerous appearances with Sean Hannity alongside his regular sports media roles, seen here on “The Stephen A. Smith Show.” (Screenshot/YouTube)
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