On ESPN's First Take last Friday, anchor Stephen Smith interviewed Ray Rice regarding the latter's two-game suspension because of the charges filed against him for assaulting his then fiancée, now wife. Matter of factly, Smith made the suggestion that the women must make sure they don't do anything to provoke wrong actions toward them.

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The comment sparked very strong reactions from all sides, that even ESPN's Michelle Beadle tweeted "I'll never feel clean again" and "I'm now aware that I can provoke my own beating."

Smith tried to do some damage control by trying to explain himself on Twitter, and failed. He then deleted the tweets and posted a long apology.

He did the same on Monday's First Take episode, saying he made "what can only amount to the most egregious error of my career."

Smith said that it was not his intention to blame women for ever provoking violent behavior against them, and that it wasn't what he meant. 

"To say what I actually said was foolish is an understatement.  To say I was wrong is obvious. To apologize, to say I'm sorry, doesn't do the matter its proper justice to be quite honest, but I do sincerely apologize," closed Smith on his statement.

ESPN said the comments made by Smith did not reflect the company's point of view on the matter.

Smith will not be suspended or disciplined, according to NBC Sports.

Tagsstephen smith, domestic violence, first take, NFL, ray rice