Stephen A. Smith isn’t holding back when it comes to Serena Williams’ appearance during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show, and many are agreeing with him.

Kendrick Lamar’s performance at Super Bowl LIX was packed with high-profile guests, each adding to the spectacle of his ongoing lyrical battle with Drake. Samuel L. Jackson embodied a powerful “Uncle Sam” figure, seamlessly guiding the audience through different segments of the show. SZA reunited with her former TDE labelmate to perform “All The Stars” and “Luther,” while Mustard made a well-deserved cameo during “TV Off.” But one of the biggest surprises came during Lamar’s performance of “Not Like Us,” when tennis legend and Compton native Serena Williams joined the stage as one of the background dancers. Her crip walk quickly became a viral moment, sparking widespread discussion online.

FIRST TAKE ON ESPN

However, not everyone was amused. On First Take this morning, Stephen A. Smith, alongside Molly Qerim, Shannon Sharpe, Dan Orlovsky, and Ryan Clark, debated the halftime show. When the conversation shifted to Williams’ participation, Smith voiced his disapproval, particularly given her past relationship with Drake.

“If I’m married and my wife is out there trolling her ex, she can go back to him,” Smith declared. “Because clearly, she don’t belong with me. What you worried about him for if you’re with me? Bye. Bye.”

Stephen A. Smith on Serena Williams’ cameo during the Super Bowl halftime show: “If I’m married and my wife is going to join trolling her ex, go back to his ass. ‘Cause clearly you don’t belong with me. What you worried about him for and you’re with me? Bye. Bye.” pic.twitter.com/uiYI2ltK4k

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 10, 2025

Ryan Clark attempted to counter Smith’s argument, pointing out the deep-rooted connection between Kendrick and Serena as Compton natives. But Smith remained unmoved.

Serena’s presence in Lamar’s performance seemed to be yet another strategic move in his ongoing feud with Drake. The rivalry, which dominated headlines last year, included Lamar’s pointed reference to Williams on Not Like Us: “From Alondra down to Central, n*** better not speak on Serena.”* This lyric alluded to her brief romance with Drake in 2015, a relationship that the Toronto rapper appeared to revisit years later. In his 2022 track Middle of the Ocean, Drake took a subtle jab at Serena and her husband, Alexis Ohanian.

While some, including Stephen A. Smith, saw Serena’s participation as unnecessary or even petty, others found it to be a humorous and fitting moment in the ongoing hip-hop spectacle.

I love rap but I don't love what the culture has done to our communities. pic.twitter.com/vNFNIRZnC9

— edwardtoliver (@etoliver1986) February 10, 2025