Stephen A Smith Labels USA Crowds an 'International Embarrassment' in Ryder Cup Rant
Stephen A Smith has slammed American crowds an an 'international embarrassment' following the Ryder Cup in New York.
Team Europe claimed a dramatic 15-13 victory over Team USA, holding off a late fightback from the home side. Despite heading into the Sunday singles session with a seven-point lead, Europe were made to sweat before they clinched the win.
But much of the discussion following the competition has not focused on the golf, but the behaviour of the American supporters at Bethpage Black. And the American TV personality Smith, who works on ESPN's First Take show has joined in on the criticism.
He said: "Right now, on the world stage, we've regressed to an international embarrassment because of how even citizens in this country noticed how fans at the Ryder Cup were acting. But you don't think about that.
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"You don't think about how it will reflect on us as a nation, as a people, that our core decency will come into question because you acting like that on a world stage. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
"And I don't want to hear about the climate as bad as it is. And I don't want to hear about politicians and all this stuff. You're a damn adult.
"You were in attendance. And if you elected to act like a hooligan, shame on you.
"Where's your decency? Where's your self-respect?"
Among those targeted by the abuse was European star Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman endured constant heckling over the three days, and at one point was forced to delay a point until crowds quietened.
Security had to intervene when his wife Erica was struck by a beer thrown by a fan. In the post-tournament, press conference, McIlroy condemned the 'unacceptable' behaviour of the home fans.
He also called for better behaviour from Irish fans when the Ryder Cup returns to Europe in 2027. Smith praised the world number two for speaking out about the issue.
"See we don't say this enough but we need to," Smith added.
"Because that inexcusable nonsense has to stop. And it's never going to unless you call people out. For Rory McIlroy, that he's going to go back to Ireland and implore his people not to act like the Americans acted.
"You think it makes us look good?
"And then they shut us up by beating us, despite the vitriol that was thrown in their direction."
Topics: Ryder Cup, Golf, Stephen A Smith, Rory Mcilroy
James Taylor