Latest news with #StephenASmith
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
ESPN's Molly Qerim Issues Apology On 'First Take'
ESPN's Molly Qerim Issues Apology On 'First Take' originally appeared on The Spun. 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.
New York Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Rich Eisen to take over ESPN Radio's noon slot: Sources
'The Rich Eisen Show' will be the new centerpiece of ESPN Radio, with its program airing nationally from noon-3 p.m. ET beginning Sept. 2, sources briefed on the move told The Athletic. In May, The Athletic reported that a strong possibility existed for Eisen's program to be a staple of ESPN Radio. It will also appear on Disney+ and ESPN+, as well as ESPN's full direct-to-consumer app that is set to debut in the fall. Advertisement The show that is currently in the noon slot, 'Joe & Q,' featuring Joe Fortenbaugh and Qiant 'Q' Myers, will be disbanded. Fortenbaugh, a sports betting guru, will focus on his TV and radio spots, while Myers will be a Monday-Friday late-night host on ESPN Radio 'GameTime.' The rest of the lead-in lineup, including its morning drive show, 'Unsportsmanlike,' hosted by Evan Cohen, Chris Canty and Michelle Smallmon, and the 10 a.m.-to-noon show 'Clinton & Friends,' centered on Clinton Yates, will remain the same. 'The Rich Eisen Show' will be on at the same time as 'The Pat McAfee Show' and will be available on ESPN, the forthcoming ESPN DTC and YouTube. Meanwhile, Stephen A. Smith is beginning a new SiriusXM program that will compete directly with Eisen. Smith remains the star of 'First Take.' The Rich Eisen Podcast Network will also be on ESPN's platforms and will include a new, yet-to-be-named podcast that will have Eisen, a former SportsCenter host from 1996-2003, interviewing colleagues from his run behind the desk.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Stephen A. Smith Responds To President Trump's NFL Warning
Stephen A. Smith Responds To President Trump's NFL Warning originally appeared on The Spun. ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith returned to "First Take" this Monday and immediately called out the president of the United States. On Sunday afternoon, President Donald Trump said the Washington's NFL team should bring back their old name. He claims the franchise would be more valuable if they ditch the Commanders brand. Trump didn't stop there with his rant about the Commanders. He threatened to hold up the team's deal for a new stadium if they don't go back to being the Redskins. "I may put a restriction on them that if they don't change the name back to the original 'Washington Redskins,' and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, 'Washington Commanders,' I won't make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "The Team would be much more valuable, and the Deal would be more exciting for everyone." While on "First Take" this Monday morning, Smith fired back at Trump. "I think that the president's being petty. I think it's him being evasive," Smith said. "It's just him catering to his base to make sure that he serves to appease them in some way, to distract them from other issues, including the Epstein files, by the way. "By the looks of the laws, and what has transpired on the books, it seems to be little to nothing that Trump can do about this other than make noise. But again, it does assist him in appealing to his base. We understand that." Just two months ago, Trump spoke highly of Smith during an appearance on NewsNation. "Stephen A. is a good guy, he's a smart guy. I love watching him. He's got great entertainment skills, which is very important. People watch him. You know, a lot of these Democrats I watch, I say they have no chance," Trump said. "I've been pretty good at picking people and picking candidates, and I will tell you I'd love to see him run." The president may change his opinion of Smith after hearing this Monday's A. Smith Responds To President Trump's NFL Warning first appeared on The Spun on Jul 21, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Stephen A. Smith reported the Lakers considered signing Allen Iverson in 2012 if he was "willing" to play in D-League first
Stephen A. Smith reported the Lakers considered signing Allen Iverson in 2012 if he was "willing" to play in D-League first originally appeared on Basketball Network. The Los Angeles Lakers were eager to redeem themselves in 2012 following a devastating first-round playoff loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Ahead of the trade deadline, Stephen A. Smith reported that the Lakers were considering signing Allen Iverson to bolster their backcourt. At the time, Iverson was already two years from his retirement from the NBA. Though the former Philadelphia 76ers superstar played professional basketball overseas for a year, Smith said the Lakers would only consider signing Iverson under one condition. According to Smith, the Lakers would like to see Iverson perform in the NBA D-League first. They wanted to ensure that "The Answer" could still play at a high level before deciding. "Allen Iverson, who sources indicated the Lakers had some interest in as long as he was willing to go to the NBA Developmental League for a few weeks first, is not the answer," Smith wrote via ESPN. "He's simply not a point guard. The Lakers are also said to be interested in former Toronto Raptors point guard Rafer Alston, who helped the Orlando Magic reach the NBA Finals in 2009. But who knows if that will materialize into anything?" "All we know for the moment is that the parts the Lakers have are not good enough," he added. The Sixers considered having Kobe and Iverson too For the Lakers faithful, the idea of having Kobe Bryant and Iverson together sounded exciting. But taking a quick trip down memory lane, the Sixers also thought about the same thing way back in 1996. That year, Iverson was the most highly touted incoming NBA rookie. On the other hand, Bryant was also gaining traction as a high school phenom who had jumped straight into the pros. Both youngsters were up-and-coming, and the Sixers were truly enticed to form an explosive backcourt duo with Bryant and Iverson. However, the Lakers swooped for Kobe on draft day right after he was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets as the 13th overall pick. "In 1996, Sixers scout Tony DiLeo wanted to draft high schooler Kobe Bryant and discussed trading a young Jerry Stackhouse to pair Iverson and Bryant together," Jonathan Abrahams said in his book entitled "Boys Among Men." The Lakers got Nash instead of Iverson Unsurprisingly, nothing came to fruition in the Lakers' interest in Iverson in 2012. It wasn't clear why it did not progress, but knowing "The Answer" and his ego, joining the NBA D-League in the hope of making it back to the league was something he wouldn't do or even consider. The Lakers headed to the 2011-12 playoffs without an elite point guard. Their season concluded after a tough second-round loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. At that point, the Lakers were desperate to win another NBA championship. The front office began to work in the summer and formed a star-studded starting five for the next season. Instead of pursuing Iverson to fill the point guard position, the Lakers managed to sign two-time MVP Steve Nash. Apart from Nash, All-Star big man Dwight Howard also joined the Purple and Gold in a historic free agency move. Unfortunately for the Lakers, Nash didn't live up to their expectations. As for Iverson, he never returned to the NBA and never considered playing in the story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Stephen A. Smith hits back after ESPN star sparked fury with take on Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein
Stephen A. Smith has dismissed the criticism over his controversial comments about the alleged Jeffrey Epstein 'client list'. The ESPN star - who recently signed a new, $100million contract - slammed the furor engulfing President Trump over the disgraced late financier. Trump has faced furious calls to release more details on Epstein and his supposed 'client list', with Riley Gaines among those to turn on the president. In response, Trump has accused members of his own movement of being 'duped' by the 'Epstein hoax'. Amid the MAGA civil war, Smith slammed Republicans and claimed it was 'unbelievable' that this had become such a 'big deal'. 'It's really, really surprising that this matters. Of course I think there's a list but I don't know... nor do I care,' Smith told Chris Cuomo's 'NewsNation' show. 'I didn't blame Trump one bit for looking at them and saying: "Really? That really matters to you?"' Stephen A. Smith says he couldn't care less about the Epstein client list—and claims most Americans feel the same. He says Epstein's clients (who r*ped children) don't affect him at all because he's too busy living his own life. Smith admits he's baffled by the public obsession… — Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) July 12, 2025 Smith's comments have caused a stir, with the ESPN host - among other things - branded 'dumb' and accused of 'moral failure'. But on Friday, he defended his views and insisted he is not bothered by any criticism. 'What I have to say is that I don't care, and the reason that I don't care is because everybody has an opinion, No 1,' Smith told TMZ. 'No 2, I get paid for mine... No 3, and most importantly, it's my opinion based on the facts as presented. I'm not getting personal, I'm not deriding or denigrating anybody. I'm just calling it like I see it when asked or when it's part of my job. 'That's what I do for a living and last time I checked, there's a whole bunch of people out here trying to do what I do. So that's the way it goes.' Epstein was charged in 2008 for soliciting prostitution with an underaged girl and received a modest jail sentence in Florida. He was later charged with federal sex trafficking crimes in 2019. He hung himself in prison awaiting his trial, cops say. However, his socializing with the likes of Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, Bill Gates and hordes of other A-list celebrities, including Trump, have prompted many to believe that these 'elites' could have been involved in Epstein's crimes. A Department of Justice announcement that Epstein did not, in fact, have a 'client list' has prompted a bipartisan push on Capitol Hill for the DOJ to release any files on the late financier and sex offender.
