ESPN's Molly Qerim Issues Apology On 'First Take'
ESPN host Molly Qerim issued an apology for an embarrassing blunder on "First Take" on Tuesday morning, July 22.
The popular morning debate show was unsurprisingly talking about the Dallas Cowboys, as they always do, on Tuesday morning. "First Take" and its panel of analysts often like to criticize the Cowboys for being overhyped. However, they can't stop talking about Jerry Jones' team, contributing to the very thing they have a problem with.
Alas, on Tuesday, "First Take" got fooled by a fake tweet. The ESPN morning show aired a clip of an alleged touchdown pass between Dak Prescott and new wide receiver George Pickens. However, that play never actually took place.
It was a clip of an old training camp touchdown from Dak Prescott to Brandin Cooks.
The account, @FergSZN, fooled people on Twitter by using an old clip and titling it: "First play of Cowboys Training Camp is a Dak Prescott BOMB to George Pickens 👀👀."
Longtime ESPN host Molly Qerim, who has been leading the show with Stephen A. Smith since 2015, narrated the false highlight clip on the air.
"During the team's first play of training camp," she narrated, "we saw Dak Prescott able to find Pickens for a massive touchdown. Obviously, a great way to start the day."
People fall for fake highlights and news on social media all the time, but you would think that ESPN's "First Take" would be a little better with the fact check.
Qerim ultimately apologized for the mistake later on Tuesday morning, admitting to the screwup.
ESPN wasn't the only outlet fooled, either, as a Sports Illustrated site wrote up the play as being one from 2025, too.
"Welcome back to 'First Take.' Quick cleanup on our part. Earlier, we showed video that we identified as George Pickens at Cowboys training camp," she said.
"It was not George Pickens, so we apologize on that mistake."
Pickens, a second round NFL Draft pick out of Georgia in 2022, was traded from the Steelers to the Cowboys this offseason. Pickens had 59 catches for 1,000 yards and three touchdowns with the Steelers in 2024.
The Cowboys are hoping he'll prove to be an elite No. 2 option, playing alongside CeeDee Lamb in the Dallas offense.
Dallas, coming off a disappointing season in 2024, will look to rebound in a major way in 2025. The Cowboys and the Eagles are scheduled to open the season on Thursday, Sept. 4.
ESPN's Molly Qerim Issues Apology On 'First Take' first appeared on The Spun on Jul 22, 2025
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
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