Morning Routine: Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. Smith, 43, is one of New York's most celebrated and controversial sports personalities. He writes columns for ESPNNewYork.com and hosts a show on 1050 ESPN Radio (Wednesdays 7-9 p.m. and Sundays 1-2:30 p.m.).

The first thing I do is I read the Bible. I’m not the most religious dude in the world, but I’m religious enough, as they say. The second thing that I do is I read at least four or five newspapers. I love politics. ... And that is before I really talk to anybody. Because you never know when someone’s going to call you and ask your thoughts about something — and you better damn well know what you’re talking about.

We do it as members of the media because ... that builds our cachet. I rarely use the dang thing — I might be on there for two, three minutes a day.

My personality has always been I like people to look at me and know that I mean what I say and I say what I mean. If there is a “brand” attached to my name, it is somebody who tells it like it is. ... The reality of being at ESPN is that I’m clearly a personality, because that’s what they utilize me as.

You might see me at the game at the Garden. ... On a weeknight, you might catch me at the movie theater on 66th and Columbus. You might catch me walking into White Castle on 36th Street or the one on Queens Boulevard.