Hugh Douglas Leaves ESPN After Allegedly Calling Co-Host Michael Smith An ‘Uncle Tom’

Hugh Douglas will no longer be a co-host on ESPN’s Numbers Never Lie. The former Philadelphia Eagles superstar was reportedly fired after getting into an ugly confrontation with co-host Michael Smith at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention in Orlando last week.

During the public altercation, Douglas allegedly hurled a number of offensive comments at Smith, including dubbing him an “Uncle Tom.” Incidentally, the slur is meant to refer to a black person who is servile to a white people or is seen to assimilate to white culture. It’s a reference to the title character in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

After the incident became public, ESPN spokesperson David Scott had released a statement, which read, “We are aware there was a disagreement between Hugh Douglas and Michael Smith on Friday. We are looking into the situation." On Tuesday, ESPN spokesperson Mike Soltys confirmed that Douglas would no longer be on the network.

Douglas, who had not appeared on ESPN following the much-publicized event, does not appear to be pleased with his departure. "I am very disappointed to be leaving ESPN,” he tweeted. “And will have more to say about this situation and my future at the appropriate time.”

– Chelsea Regan

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