Stephen A. Smith, the long-time host of “First Take,” was noticeably absent from the show’s intro on Friday morning.
Host Molly Qerim, joined by NBA analysts Tim Legler and Monica McNutt, delivered a message at the start of the program regarding Smith’s status.
According to Qerim, Smith is serving as a coach in Friday night’s Rising Stars Game. However, the unapologetic ESPN host suffered an ankle injury while playing basketball with Dallas Cowboys star edge rusher Micah Parsons, who will also be competing in the game.
Qerim stated that Smith had been playing basketball with Parsons and had to be sent to the hospital after the linebacker crossed him over.
Smith, however, denied such claims and accused Qerim of lying.
“Ladies and gentlemen in America, Molly Qerim is a pathological liar. That did not happen to me,” Smith said of Parsons crossing him over and injuring him.
“She made the whole thing up. Crossed over by a Cowboy? By Micah Parsons?”
Smith later provided his version of the story, which differed from Qerim‘s account.
“They had the practice last night and Shannon [Sharpe] didn’t show up, so I go there ’cause I got to scout my team, ’cause I got to see who I’m a play, who I’m a put on the bench, ’cause I’m not losing this game tonight, okay?” Smith said.
Stephen A. Smith confirms he suffered an injury during Celebrity All-Star Game practice, but denies that a Dallas Cowboy could ever cross him up. https://t.co/xQ46xyPRYc pic.twitter.com/h4adajB3FH
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 16, 2024
“And the next thing you know, that damn Micah Parsons is on the basketball acting like he’s trying to sack quarterbacks and stuff and pushing people around.
“So after that, they were sitting up there and he and I were shooting around, shooting against one another, and there was sweat on the floor…
“And literally I was about to pull up, just shoot it, I literally bust my ass, I mean, feet flying in the air and everything, BOW… it was like I was sliding in the third base.”
“You should’ve stuck with my story,” Qerim replied.
The game will air on Friday on ESPN at 7 p.m., and Parsons injuring his opposing coach with a crossover is probably all the hype they’ll need.
