Stephen A. Smith Clarifies Harsh Comments About Why He Parted Ways With His Old Co-Host

As ESPN's Stephen A. Smith settles in with his new First Take co-host Shannon Sharpe, he's also revisiting an old controversy. The sports talking head used to co-host his show with Max Kellerman before the two parted ways in 2021. He's previously spoken about their on-air chemistry not working, and in a recent appearance on The Joe Budden Podcast, Smith offered a seemingly harsh criticism of Kellerman.

“I had mad respect for him from the standpoint of white dude, highly intelligent, Ivy League, educated from Columbia. Smart as a whip. Can talk his ass off. Can talk about anything. I get all that. But you weren’t an athlete, and you weren’t a journalist. And the absence of the two components left people wondering, 'Why should we listen to you?' ”

After his comments made the rounds online over the weekend, Smith issued a clarification on Twitter, saying he and Kellerman "weren’t working in the end," but that he had "nothing against him" personally and simply "needed a change."

He went on to add that the message has been distorted online. "Folks can twist this all they want. I respect the man and wish him no I’ll-will. But my answer has—and will always be the same," he wrote, trying to put the controversy to bed.

Kellerman went on to host This Just In on ESPN and Keyshawn, JWill, and Max on ESPN Radio, but was laid off from the company back in June. He's yet to comment on the renewed controversy.