“They left me for dead!” Stephen A. Smith reveals the main reason why he wanted Shannon Sharpe on First Take while recalling how the industry cut him off in 2009

Stephen A discussed about the departure of Sharpe from the show 'Undisputed'.

“They left me for dead!” Stephen A. Smith reveals the main reason why he wanted Shannon Sharpe on First Take while recalling how the industry cut him off in 2009

Stephen A. Smith (L) and Shannon Sharpe (R) (Via Imago)

The famous sports analyst, Stephen A. Smith, elaborately discussed his intention to work with Shannon Sharpe. After Sharpe left the show ‘Undisputed,’ due to some differences of opinion with Skip Bayless, Smith desperately wanted him on his show ‘The First Take.’

Speaking with him on the sets of a podcasting show, Club Shay Shay, Smith said that he wanted to safeguard the media reputation of Sharpe. “I wanted Shannon Sharpe on First Take because I wanted the world to know that he was wanted. That was the most important thing to me,” he added. 

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Smith also explained his position when he left the show a few years ago. Smith said he was completely cut off from the media circle. “They left me for dead,” he added. The veteran analyst further said that he did not want to see Shannon in his position.

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While discussing the work environment at ‘First Take,’ Stephen A. emphasized the familiarity that the show offers. He told Sharpe that he would get a family at the ‘First Take,’ where everyone backs each other and shares the same vibe. Smith also said that people at the ‘First Take,’ work together and always have each other’s back. 

Also Read: Stephen A. Smith admits mistakes, agrees NBA champions should not be called ‘world champions’

Stephen A. Smith smelled Shannon Sharpe’s departure correctly

Stephen A. Smith
Stephen A. Smith (Via ESPN)

Stephen A. Smith is famous for making remarks about the NFL, the NBA, and any player out there without holding back. His shrewd and sarcastic remarks often attract the attention of the fans and other analysts. He also predicts the future of the teams as well as the players. However, a few months ago, he made a prediction about his fellow commentator and analyst Shannon Sharpe’s departure from the famous talk show ‘Undisputed.’ 

After seven or eight months of the event, Smith opened up with Sharpe regarding his departure. He said that he smelled his departure before it originally took place. In his recent interaction, Smith said, “I know the business. I’ve been here for 30 years. I can see it a mile away, you know. I could see the handwriting on the wall. I knew when it was over for you, bro, I’m going to be real with you. I knew when it was over.”

After hosting the show for six years, Sharpe left it last January due to some disagreement with another host, Skip Bayless. According to multiple sources, both of them clashed over Bayless’ tweet, which spoke about a match between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills. During the match, Damar Hamlin, safety for the Bills, collapsed on the ground due to sudden cardiac arrest. Bayless, in his tweet, questioned the NFL’s authority whether it was legitimate to carry the game on despite the incident taking place. 

Sharpe was not absent the following day on Undisputed’s set when Bayless made the tweet. He later came back and indulged in a fiery conversation with Bayless. After that, Sharpe bid adieu to the show in a formal manner, concluding the season.

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