During a recent interview with Sports Illustrated to promote his new film Highest 2 Lowest, Denzel Washington strongly condemned the sports media landscape. The Academy Award-winning actor expressed frustration at what he called the flood of “opinionaires” — people who loudly share views despite lacking real experience in sports.
Washington’s Strong Words on Who Should Speak About Sports
Washington sharply distinguished between commentators with firsthand knowledge and those without, stating,
“Everybody’s got an opinion. We live in a world of ‘opinionaires,’”
and further added,
“Those who can’t talk about those who can. Those who have, know what they’re talking about. Those who haven’t, don’t. Period. Too much talking. Too much talking. Everybody got an opinion. Everybody’s sitting around getting fat, thinking they know how to do it. Just ‘cuz you can sit behind a desk and chit chat doesn’t mean you can do a damn thing.”
He voiced clear impatience with the commentary from individuals who haven’t experienced the demands of professional sports.
Kevin Durant’s Support Highlights Shared Skepticism of Sports Commentary
Washington’s critique resonated with NBA star Kevin Durant, who publicly endorsed the actor’s remarks by reacting with a trio of fire emojis on Sports Illustrated’s Instagram post featuring the clip. Durant’s history of skepticism towards media narratives about sports figures makes his reaction unsurprising. Both men appear aligned in their view that unqualified opinions dominate the sports discussion, often overshadowing voices with genuine experience.
Context of Washington’s Criticism and Its Broader Implications
Though Washington has joined sports media platforms to share his thoughts—such as his recent appearance on First Take discussing the Dallas Cowboys—his frustration with uninformed opinions remains evident. While he didn’t single out specific individuals, the message was clear: real knowledge comes from direct experience. This stance highlights ongoing tensions between athletes, fans, and media personalities over who holds authority to critique sports performance and strategy.
Enduring Debate Over Expertise in Sports Commentary
Washington’s comments reinforce a long-standing debate about the quality and credibility of sports media analysis. His phrase,
“those who can’t talk about those who can,”
captures a sentiment often echoed by athletes and insiders yet gains added weight coming from a respected figure like him. With Durant backing this perspective, the critique of sports media’s “opinionaires” gains cultural prominence, likely fueling further conversation about the role of experience in sports commentary going forward.