Roland Martin Slammed On Twitter After Poking Fun At Sha’Carri Richardson’s Prefontaine Classic Loss

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After Sha’carri Richardson placed last at the Prefontaine Classic last week, social media wasn’t kind to the almost-Olympian. One of the people who put their two cents in about Richardson’s loss was Roland Martin.

“Damn. @itskerrii Sha’Carri Richardson got smoked at the Prefontaine @nikepreclassic like a big Jamaican blunt!,” he tweeted. “That was BRUTAL. If ya a** gonna write checks, they can’t bounce! She finishes NINTH. She got HUMBLED real fast by the world’s top sprinters.”

While he was saying what many others were saying online, Martin was hit with backlash over his comments.

One person tweeted that with this kind of comment, Martin is not being considerate of Richardson’s mental health.

“This is inappropriate for a variety of reasons but especially bc you are supposed to be a mentor to Black journalists. Super weird that while @NABJ holds panels about mental health, you, a prominent member in the organization, participates in this type of behavior.”

Another person said that he didn’t have to be so harsh.

“There was a more respectful way to say this. Thought we’re supposed to be lifting each other up? Cause I’m sure you wouldn’t like it if people had been dunking on you when you come up short.”

Another user tweeted that he should be lifting Richardson up instead of kicking her while she was down.

“Roland, I support you most of the time but never when you prey on our own family. Man up bro and step off little sister. We as older brothers lead the way, not disparage. Stay up my brother and keep fighting the ultra right!”

Someone else insinuated that the news anchor is threatened by Richardson’s confidence.

“You’re twice her age & THIS is the path you choose? It’s almost like you’re mad because she chose to toot her own horn when others do it too! I swear some of y’all hate when a Black wmn has confidence & pride in herself. What did you hope to gain from…this?”

“Martin didn’t back down and responded directly to many of the people throwing stones his way,” he shared. “This is beyond silly. I always tag. ALWAYS. Like a show? I tag. Don’t like a show? I tag. If I crack on a male athlete – and I have – I tag. I NEVER subtweet. I’m a grown ass man who ain’t afraid of any criticism. Damn subtweeting. I stand by ANY criticism. Never afraid.”

When the slander continued for a few days, Martin added: “Y’all are a flat out trip,” he posted. “We comment on sports EVERY DAY. She got smoked. This is dumb as hell. The men’s 4×100 botched the baton handoff and got RIPPED by Carl Lewis. Did you criticize that? I’ll wait.”