ESPN star Stephen A. Smith has doubled down after he went viral for crediting the Patriots’ defensive success to Terrell Williams – despite the first-year defensive coordinator missing most of this season due to cancer.
New England is one win away from reaching Super Bowl LX after a brilliant first campaign under head coach Mike Vrabel.
But in the build-up to Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos, Smith went viral for his comments on Williams.
‘There is a brother coaching that defense – Terrell Williams,’ the ESPN host said on First Take. ‘We haven’t mentioned him all year long. Reunited with Mike Vrabel – he used to be with him in Tennessee.
‘This man has done a hell of a job with a defense that is ranked top five in the National Football League. We are going to give brothers credit on this show and our brother is doing his thing!’
Back in September, however, Vrabel announced that Williams had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
In September, it was announced that Terrell Williams had been diagnosed with prostate cancer
The 51-year-old was in charge of the Patriots defense for their season-opening loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. But he stepped away from full-time duty days later following his cancer diagnosis.
Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr has filled in since week two, serving as ‘de facto defensive coordinator’ and ‘leading meetings and calling defensive plays,’ according to patriots.com.
Smith came under fire for his comments, which came just days after the ESPN host confused Texans receiver Christian Kirk for late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. But, following the backlash, the ESPN host doubled down on social media.
‘Nice try!’ Smith wrote. ‘First of all, we reported earlier in the year that he was out due to Prostate Cancer when it happened.
‘Secondly, he still talks to coaches for game-planning purposes. Thirdly, forgetting to mention all of that is different than not knowing.’
He added: ‘Plus it really doesn’t matter when I’ve got experts like [analysts] Ryan Clark and Cam [Newton] backing me up. But keep pushing the story. Hope it gets the clicks folks want. Carry on!’
On January 7, Williams was present at the Patriots’ practice facility and was seen walking through the locker room.
Back in the fall, Vrabel confirmed he would ‘be around and involved,’ adding: ‘I don’t quite fully know in what capacity… so we’ll continue to just make sure there is a good plan for everything that happens, just like we always have been.’
Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr has served as ‘de facto defensive coordinator’ since Week 2
Reports in December claimed Williams has still been playing his part in ‘crafting the Patriots defensive strategy’ by speaking with players and coaches.
Quarterback Drake Maye, meanwhile, also paid tribute to Williams’ impact, telling reporters: ‘It’s awesome seeing him around.’
Maye explained: ‘Anytime he’s around, it brings joy to us. It brings joy to the locker room. It brings joy to see his face, see how he’s doing. Just praying for him.
‘He’s continuing to fight, and what a story. It’s been something for us to rally around and somebody to care about. Another thing is that it’s just bigger than football, and just props to him for seeing him in here a couple times throughout the year. It’s been cool to see.’