Stephen A. Smith has come under fire for his recent comments about Max Kellerman, with former ESPN and Fox sportscaster Marcellus Wiley accusing the “First Take” host of hypocrisy.
“Stephen A. gets the thumbs up from everyone, especially me, because I respect his work ethic, but right now – and a lot of people see it before our eyes – no love and no respect for your ethic,” a Wiley said. .
Smith recently opened up about her bitter split with former “First Take” partner Kellerman, admitting, “I didn’t like working with him.”
Kellerman was removed from the popular sports talk show in 2021 before facing layoffs earlier this year.
Smith claimed the partnership failed because Kellerman “was neither an athlete nor a journalist.”
Stephen A. Smith recently opened up about his breakup with former “First Take” partner Kellerman
Former ESPN and Fox Sportscaster Marcellus Wiley Accuses ‘First Take’ Host of Hypocrisy
“I thought the show was stale, I thought we had stagnated as far as the mainstream, and I’m trying to win,” he told the Joe Budden Podcast.
“You weren’t an athlete or a journalist, and the absence of both left people wondering, ‘Why should we listen to you?’
But now Smith has been criticized by Wiley. He said “Stephen A. felt threatened” and compared the network’s treatment to Kellerman and Shannon Sharpe, who recently joined “First Take” after leaving FS1’s “Undisputed.”
“It’s hypocritical of Stephen A. to be sensitive to Shannon – Shannon was kicked out of FS1, and everything that happened there – and not to Max, when you did the same thing to Max,” Wiley said on his own podcast.More with Marcellus Wiley‘.
“Please don’t tell me it’s different because Max is white. Please don’t say that. I know you won’t go there.
Smith claimed the partnership failed because Kellerman “was neither an athlete nor a journalist.”
“So what’s the difference?” You kicked Max out. But then you’re like, ‘This is Shannon’s story to tell, but these are facts, he was deported.’
Wiley believes the real reason for Kellerman’s departure from “First Take” is his inability to play the “role” that Smith saw for him.
“Max left because he didn’t play his role. He didn’t get to where you wanted him to fit in,” Wiley said.
“And all of a sudden, Max has to deal with credential attacks. And that’s where I put my napkins…the truth is you can’t attack Max’s credentials.
“OK, Max is neither a journalist nor an athlete, well why the hell did I have a hard time hearing you and them (ESPN bosses) beg him to come to New York to do the emission ?
“Did Max suddenly stop playing football that day?” When was Max ever an athlete? When was Max ever a traditional journalist.