Stephen A. Smith, back after extended absence, says COVID-19 ‘almost took me out’
Here’s how serious Stephen A. Smith’s COVID-19 case was:
The day after a Cowboys playoff meltdown, he was restrained, even somber at times.
That should be all you need to know about the COVID infection that landed Smith in the hospital over the holidays and kept him off the air in recent weeks.
Smith, who has perhaps the largest megaphone in sports media, has advocated for broad vaccine mandates in sports. Though he said last month he had not yet received a booster shot, he credited the vaccine for saving his life.
Doctors said, “had I not been vaccinated, I wouldn’t be here,” said Smith, who thanked his doctors by name on air. “That’s how bad I was. … I can’t tell you how lucky and sincerely blessed I am to be sitting here with you guys today because two and a half, three weeks ago, I didn’t know if I was gonna make it.”
Smith detailed the battle that ultimately landed him in the hospital. “I had a 103-degree fever every night, woke up with chills, pools of sweat, headaches were massive, coughing profusely.” At that point, he said, he checked into a hospital on New Year’s Eve.
“I had pneumonia, both lungs. My liver was bad,” he said. “It ravaged me to the point where even now I have to monitor my volume, get in the gym every day, walk before you run, work your way back, because I’m still not 100 percent with my lungs.”
Smith also poked at the perception that the omicron variant is mild, and managed to take a shot at his sister.
“In my case, it was totally different. …Everybody’s different. My sister smokes and she had COVID and she was fine in 3-4 days. Me? I don’t smoke and it almost took me out,” he said.
“I think the one thing to emphasize the importance of, no matter how you feel about the vaccine, that mask is important, because you don’t know how the next person is affected,” he continued. “How I’m affected is different from how you were affected.”
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedEthan Miller
The cost to attend an NFL game is the most expensive among the major four sports leagues with an average cost of $157.07. The cheapest NFL team to watch live is the Cincinnati Bengals with an average cost of $105.69. Here are the five most expensive.
Ethan MillerThe cost to attend an NFL game is the most expensive among the major four sports leagues with an average cost of $157.07. The cheapest NFL team to watch live is the Cincinnati Bengals with an average cost of $105.69. Here are the five most expensive.
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedEthan Miller
The Las Vegas Raiders moved into Allegiant Stadium prior to the 2020-21 season. Among NFL teams, the Raiders have the most expensive general admission ticket ($153.47), most expensive beer ($13) and most expensive hot dogs ($7.50).
Ethan MillerThe Las Vegas Raiders moved into Allegiant Stadium prior to the 2020-21 season. Among NFL teams, the Raiders have the most expensive general admission ticket ($153.47), most expensive beer ($13) and most expensive hot dogs ($7.50).
-
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedDaniel Shirey
Levi's Stadium opened in 2014. To attend a San Francisco 49ers game is the second-most expensive among NFL teams and third-most expensive among all four major sports leagues.
Daniel ShireyLevi's Stadium opened in 2014. To attend a San Francisco 49ers game is the second-most expensive among NFL teams and third-most expensive among all four major sports leagues.
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedTom Pennington
The parking at AT&T Stadium is the most expensive of all the four major sports leagues. It costs more for parking at a Dallas Cowboys game ($75) than attending a Los Angeles Dodgers game ($70.66).
Tom PenningtonThe parking at AT&T Stadium is the most expensive of all the four major sports leagues. It costs more for parking at a Dallas Cowboys game ($75) than attending a Los Angeles Dodgers game ($70.66).
-
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedJayne Kamin-Oncea
The Los Angeles Rams moved into SoFi Stadium prior to the 2020-21 season. The Rams sell the most expensive hot dogs among NFL teams with an average price of $7.50.
Jayne Kamin-OnceaThe Los Angeles Rams moved into SoFi Stadium prior to the 2020-21 season. The Rams sell the most expensive hot dogs among NFL teams with an average price of $7.50.
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedDylan Buell
The Green Bay Packers are the only franchise owned by stockholders. The average price for a Green Bay Packers fan to attend a game at Lambeau Field with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $192.93.
Dylan BuellThe Green Bay Packers are the only franchise owned by stockholders. The average price for a Green Bay Packers fan to attend a game at Lambeau Field with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $192.93.
-
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedJonathan Daniel
The average cost to attend an MLB game with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $67.39, which is the cheapest of the major four sports leagues.
Jonathan DanielThe average cost to attend an MLB game with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $67.39, which is the cheapest of the major four sports leagues.
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedJon Durr
Watching the Chicago Cubs comes at a hefty price. Wrigley Field is the most expensive MLB game for fans to attend with an average price of $109.78.
Jon DurrWatching the Chicago Cubs comes at a hefty price. Wrigley Field is the most expensive MLB game for fans to attend with an average price of $109.78.
-
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedMaddie Meyer
Among all the MLB teams, the Boston Red Sox have the priciest general admission ticket. The average ticket price at Fenway Park is $60.09.
Maddie MeyerAmong all the MLB teams, the Boston Red Sox have the priciest general admission ticket. The average ticket price at Fenway Park is $60.09.
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedEzra Shaw
At $29, the parking at Yankees Stadium is the most expensive of all MLB stadiums.
-
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedALEX EDELMAN
The most expensive hot dog of all MLB stadiums can be found at a Washington Nationals home game. Hot dogs cost fans $7.25 at Nationals games.
ALEX EDELMANThe most expensive hot dog of all MLB stadiums can be found at a Washington Nationals home game. Hot dogs cost fans $7.25 at Nationals games.
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedTim Warner
The average price for Houston Astros fans to attend a game at Minute Maid Park with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $89.83.
Tim WarnerThe average price for Houston Astros fans to attend a game at Minute Maid Park with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $89.83.
-
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedRob Carr
The NBA is the second-most expensive league in terms of attending a game with an average cost of $120.13.
Rob CarrThe NBA is the second-most expensive league in terms of attending a game with an average cost of $120.13.
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedAlex Goodlett
An average New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden will cost fans $260.38, the most expensive of all of the four major sports leagues. Among NBA teams, the Knicks have the most expensive general admission tickets ($180.78), most expensive parking ($45) and most expensive hot dog ($8.50).
Alex GoodlettAn average New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden will cost fans $260.38, the most expensive of all of the four major sports leagues. Among NBA teams, the Knicks have the most expensive general admission tickets ($180.78), most expensive parking ($45) and most expensive hot dog ($8.50).
-
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedEzra Shaw
The Golden State Warriors moved into Chase Center before the 2019-20 season and became the second-most expensive NBA game to attend with an average cost of $230.30. The Warriors sell the most expensive hot dogs in the NBA with an average cost of $8.50.
Ezra ShawThe Golden State Warriors moved into Chase Center before the 2019-20 season and became the second-most expensive NBA game to attend with an average cost of $230.30. The Warriors sell the most expensive hot dogs in the NBA with an average cost of $8.50.
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedSean M. Haffey
It's no surprise that attending a Los Angeles Lakers game is expensive. The average cost for Lakers fans to attend a game at Staple Center with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $190.76.
Sean M. HaffeyIt's no surprise that attending a Los Angeles Lakers game is expensive. The average cost for Lakers fans to attend a game at Staple Center with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $190.76.
-
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedElsa
The TD Garden has been the home of the Boston Celtics since 1995. The average price for a Boston Celtics fan to attend a game at TD Garden with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $167.16.
ElsaThe TD Garden has been the home of the Boston Celtics since 1995. The average price for a Boston Celtics fan to attend a game at TD Garden with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $167.16.
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedJonathan Daniel
Even though the Chicago Bulls missed the playoffs with a 22-43 record during the 2019-20 season, the United Center was still the fifth-most expensive NBA stadium to attend a game with an average cost of $154.01.
Jonathan DanielEven though the Chicago Bulls missed the playoffs with a 22-43 record during the 2019-20 season, the United Center was still the fifth-most expensive NBA stadium to attend a game with an average cost of $154.01.
-
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedAdam Glanzman
While it's not as cheap as the average price to attend an MLB game, an NHL game is still reasonable compared to an NFL or NBA game. The average cost for a NHL game with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $114.47.
Adam GlanzmanWhile it's not as cheap as the average price to attend an MLB game, an NHL game is still reasonable compared to an NFL or NBA game. The average cost for a NHL game with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $114.47.
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedBruce Bennett
Even though an average New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden isn't as expensive as a New York Knicks game, it's still the most expensive game to attend in the NHL with an average cost of $182.43. The Rangers also sell the most expensive beer in the league, which will set a fan back $15.
Bruce BennettEven though an average New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden isn't as expensive as a New York Knicks game, it's still the most expensive game to attend in the NHL with an average cost of $182.43. The Rangers also sell the most expensive beer in the league, which will set a fan back $15.
-
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedBruce Bennett
The parking at TD Garden for a Boston Bruins game will cost an average of $29, the most expensive among NHL teams.Including a ticket, two beers, a hot dog and the parking, a Bruins game will cost an average of $162.36.
Bruce BennettThe parking at TD Garden for a Boston Bruins game will cost an average of $29, the most expensive among NHL teams.Including a ticket, two beers, a hot dog and the parking, a Bruins game will cost an average of $162.36.
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedClaus Andersen
The Toronto Maple Leafs are the most popular hockey team in Canada, and the ticket prices prove it. Scotiabank Arena offers the most expensive general admissions ticket in the NHL with an average ticket costing $128.69.
Claus AndersenThe Toronto Maple Leafs are the most popular hockey team in Canada, and the ticket prices prove it. Scotiabank Arena offers the most expensive general admissions ticket in the NHL with an average ticket costing $128.69.
-
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedJonathan Daniel
Even though the Chicago Blackhawks finished last in the Central Division during the 2019-20 season, the United Center still sets a fan back $153.63 to attend an NHL game.
Jonathan DanielEven though the Chicago Blackhawks finished last in the Central Division during the 2019-20 season, the United Center still sets a fan back $153.63 to attend an NHL game.
-
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson’s second act gaining speedEthan Miller
The newest addition to the NHL is the Las Vegas Golden Knights and T-Mobile Arena where the average price to attend a game is $153.36. The Golden Knights are home to the most expensive hot dog in the NHL, which will cost a fan $7.
Ethan MillerThe newest addition to the NHL is the Las Vegas Golden Knights and T-Mobile Arena where the average price to attend a game is $153.36. The Golden Knights are home to the most expensive hot dog in the NHL, which will cost a fan $7.
-
-
Stephen A. Smith, back after extended absence, says COVID-19 ‘almost took me out’Justin Casterline/Getty Images North America/TNS
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith during game three of the NBA Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum on Sunday, July 11, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images/TNS)
Justin Casterline/Getty Images North America/TNSESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith during game three of the NBA Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum on Sunday, July 11, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images/TNS)
