ESPN's Stephen A. Smith deletes tweets on domestic abuse and 'provoking the wrong actions'

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was suspended only two games by the NFL after surveillance video showed him dragging his then-fianceé’s unconscious body from an Atlantic City hotel elevator.

This morning, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith enraged many — including ESPN’s Michelle Beadle — by advising women, “let’s make sure we don’t do anything to provoke wrong actions … I think that just talking about what guys shouldn’t do, we got to also make sure that you can do your part to do whatever you can do to make, to try to make sure it doesn’t happen.”

So I was just forced to watch this morning's First Take. A) I'll never feel clean again B) I'm now aware that I can provoke my own beating.

— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014

I'm thinking about wearing a miniskirt this weekend…I'd hate to think what I'd be asking for by doing so @stephenasmith. #dontprovoke

— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014

I was in an abusive relationship once. I'm aware that men & women can both be the abuser. To spread a message that we not 'provoke' is wrong

— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014

Violence isn't the victim's issue. It's the abuser's. To insinuate otherwise is irresponsible and disgusting. Walk. Away.

— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014

Following Beadle’s tweets and Internet backlash, Smith hit back with a series of (now deleted) tweets. Deadspin fortunately compiled them for posterity.

https://twitter.com/stephenasmith/statuses/492731963732922368

https://twitter.com/stephenasmith/statuses/492732424653389824

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https://twitter.com/stephenasmith/statuses/492732649237409792

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https://twitter.com/stephenasmith/statuses/492733896199794688

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https://twitter.com/stephenasmith/statuses/492736129733771264

Beadle spent much of the remainder of the day retweeting abuse from Smith’s followers and defenders.

I mourn 4 u RT @rhcpayne :you're a dumb bitch and you lost a huge fan today. You're also not that pretty so stop acting like you're hot shit

— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014

RT @thelouieD: @MichelleDBeadle quit misinterpreting shit dumbass. Trynna start twitter beef fuck outta heaa.

— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014

@MichelleDBeadle another white woman tryna ruin a black mans honor. Were use to it by now. @stephenasmith will be fine

— Mikelangelo (@JoshBrownRare) July 25, 2014

Would also like to mention how classless it is to call out a fellow COLLEAGUE on social media. I'm looking at you @MichelleDBeadle

— Jake Gubitz (@g00fyGuuubz) July 25, 2014

Oh… RT @RaiderTruths: Man, this bitch @MichelleDBeadle really doesn't get it. Don't piss off a man to a point where he becomes violent.

— social isolatSEAN (@theparmaSEAN) July 25, 2014

i had to come to the realization that @MichelleDBeadle dont like black men. first she bashed @MikeVick crazy now @stephenasmith #GetALife

— Who Cares (@betterbworthit) July 25, 2014

Beadle’s response:

In a week in which LGBT & domestic abuse issues have been primarily discussed in one-sided formats, I stand by my words. #communicatebetter

— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014

I've enjoyed today. Always fun to meet another show's fans. Interesting, to say the least! The beach beckons…

— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014

Related:

Ravens’ Ray Rice’s wife Janay apologizes for her ‘role’ in aggravated assault

(Hat tip: @TX_Moira)