Things are getting tense at ESPN right now, as First Take‘s Shannon Sharpe and College Gameday‘s Kirk Herbstreit are trading shots. The issue was actually started by his colleague and co-host, Stephen A. Smith. It all circulates around Ohio State University’s head football coach Ryan Day, who some feel is on the hot seat despite a 66-10 record. Smith is one of them mostly due to the fact that Day has lost his last four meetings to their arch nemesis in Michigan. Additionally, the program’s playoff success has been middling to some degree under Day.
Stephen A. feels that he should be fired, especially if he doesn’t win the national championship this year. Now, let’s fast forward to this past Saturday. With the game in hand for OSU against visiting Tennessee, Herbstreit takes the time to discuss the noise surrounding Ryan Day and his future. It’s worth noting that Kirk played quarterback for the Buckeyes back in the late 80s to early 90s, so he has a good pulse on the fan base and the program. Overall, he feels that coach Day has done a marvelous job. However, his comments didn’t stop there.
“First Take tried to fire him [Ryan Day]. Let’s see what they talk about on Monday.” Now, let’s jump to today, as the morning sports debate show is now back on air. Stephen A. addressed Kirk’s critique first, and did so with a bit more grace and understanding. However, he made sure to make his point about Ryan Day very clear. “I say this in fun to both of them [Chris Fowler and Kirk] Stop. Stop it… ‘First Take gotta get him fired.’ That is not true. I did! Not First Take. That was me, Stephen A. Don’t misquote me. What I said was, ‘this man Ryan Day, if he doesn’t get a national championship, he should go. Even with a 66-10 record.’ I didn’t stutter one bit, I ain’t stuttering now.”
As for Shannon, well, he was restrained, but not as playful. “I’m gonna be a good teammate. I’m gonna let it slide. Everybody’s at ESPN. Because had you not taken the route you’ve taken, I would’ve lit their a**es up. If we’re going to be on the same team, if we’re gonna work for the same network, don’t do that. Kirk, Chris Fowler, I promise you, if you ever mention any platform that I’m on again talking about ‘I wonder what they’re going to say as negativity,’ I promise you, ESPN ain’t got enough bosses to keep me off y’all for what I’m going to say… don’t play with me.” Oof.
About The Author
Zachary Horvath is one of the Music Freelance News Writers at HotNewHipHop and has held that title since August 2023. Prior to this position, he held another freelance gig covering local high school football, girls and boys varsity basketball, in addition to recapping Cleveland Cavaliers games remotely.
He’s taken the previous experience and used it to become a jack of all trades at HotNewHipHop. Zach has thoroughly enjoyed tackling some of the trending topics in sports, with a larger focus on hip-hop and pop culture. Some of those include Bronny James’s draft stock, a multitude of angles swirling around the Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef, as well as Diddy’s arrest and lawsuits. Separate from the headlines that everyone wants to hear about, he was fortunate enough to help spread Zaytoven’s current thoughts at the time around mid-December in 2023.
Even though being able to give his expertise on these stories is fulfilling, being able to share his passion for releases trumps that ever so slightly. Having the chance to express his excitement indirectly about what he thinks our readers should be checking out/revisiting grows his passion for writing that much more.
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