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Renowned ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith recently discovered firsthand why French is often dubbed the language of love.
During Friday’s broadcast, Smith, known for his sports analysis and occasional political insights, stirred up attention after confessing that he felt “turned on” when his colleague, Chiney Ogwumike, spoke French.
“Allow me to get a bit personal here,” Smith began, setting the stage for a moment of lighthearted awkwardness. “I’ve had a pretty good life and am quite content, but I’ll admit, I’ve never dated a French woman. Hearing Chiney speak French, I found myself thinking, ‘What have I been missing all this time?’ That language, it really got to me.”
Friday’s “First Take” went off the rails and transformed into what resembled an old MTV dating show when Ogwumike — who is from Texas, although she did study international relations at Stanford — discussed the Timberwolves’ Game 3 home win over the Nuggets with a dialogue in French.
The former WNBA star said, “Bonjour, Stephen A.” before mentioning how Frenchman Rudy Gobert’s play in the series has been magnificent, using the French term for the word.
“I hope I did all the French people proud there with my pronunciation, I’m more of a Spanish girl,” she said, before Smith responded loudly: “You did. You did me proud.”
Ogwumike said she’s in “awe” of how Gobert has slowed down Nikola Jokic, holding him to just 15-of-46 shooting across the last two games, both Timberwolves’ wins.
“The Frenchman has taken this matchup personally,” she said of Gobert. “You have to give a lot of credit to the Frenchman for rising to the occasion in this moment.”
After Smith admitted to being aroused, he quickly tried to get back on track but repeated several words.
“Anyway, anyway, let me get back to the focus at hand,” Smith said. “I got, I got to tell ya, when ya, when ya, when ya look at Jokic in all seriousness…”
ESPN then cut to host Shea Cornette, who had her hand on her head in an “Oh, my God” expression.
The Nuggets and Timberwolves battle in a critical Game 4 on Saturday night in Minnesota, with Denver needing a win to avoid a 3-1 series hole and a potential early offseason.
One can assume after Smith’s comments Friday morning that perhaps he’s already thinking about a trip to France once his downtime begins.