Stephen A. Smith is reflecting on one of the most personal regrets of his life.
During a conversation on In Depth with Graham Bensinger, the longtime ESPN commentator spoke openly about how his family shaped his values and the disappointment he felt after becoming a father outside of marriage.
“I had children out of wedlock and it’s the only thing my mother was ever ashamed of me about,” Smith said. “She was very ashamed of me because my mother was a religious woman. She loved the Lord, and she didn’t play that.”
He recalled a conversation with his mother in which she questioned how he could make a decision that carried such long-term responsibility.
“You’ve made smart decisions all of your life. How could you slip up and do this?” he remembered her asking.
Stephen A. Smith reveals that his biggest regret in life is disappointing his religious Mother and having a child born out of wedlock instead of getting married
pic.twitter.com/Qfp6AfZGa3— Slime (@ItsKingSlime) March 2, 2026
Smith said he accepted responsibility and understood why the situation weighed on him.
“When you are a dad, but you’re not married, and you’re not with the mom, it’s challenging,” he explained. “You’re not the priority that you want to be when it comes to influencing your children’s lives.”
He added that he feels fortunate that the mothers of his daughters are supportive.
“The fact remains that by not being with them put me and my children in a difficult position,” he said.