Dave Portnoy Accepts Stephen A. Smith’s Conditional Apology in Drake Maye Dispute

Overview

• On FS1’s Wake Up Barstool, Dave Portnoy said “apology accepted” and claimed Stephen A. Smith “bent the knee.”
• Stephen A. Smith told SiriusXM he was being facetious when he labeled Drake Maye a liar and said he could apologize if people took it that way.
• Drake Maye told WEEI he focuses on voices inside the Patriots organization and said he did not intend disrespect with his earlier comments.
• Smith’s on-air accusation followed Maye saying he didn’t know what show Cam Newton is on after Newton dismissed New England’s surge as “fool’s gold.”
• Reporting notes Smith did not apologize directly to Portnoy, and Cam Newton has stood by his critique as Maye’s Patriots have improved to 10–2.