ESPN talking heads Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith recently found themselves at odds in an explosive phone call over creative differences. According to a New York Post exclusive, the argument between the former Indianapolis Colts punter and the renowned sports commentator escalated to the point where McAfee called Smith a “motherf*cker.”
The disagreement stemmed from a project that Smith is set to produce on ESPN in the future, with McAfee executive producing the segment through his own production company. Following the heated exchange, Smith reportedly banned McAfee from appearing on his show, First Take, in the future.
McAfee had been a regular guest on First Take, providing commentary every Tuesday during the football season. However, despite the reported ban, Smith denied that any such restriction had been put in place. Both parties eventually indicated that their differences had been resolved.
Both McAfee and Smith have been instrumental in the success of their respective shows on ESPN. First Take garnered a record-high 496,000 viewers last year, while The Pat McAfee Show amassed 298 million views across all platforms since its production through ESPN.
In response to the incident, Smith expressed his appreciation for McAfee’s contributions to the success of First Take and welcomed the former NFL player back as a guest in the future. He praised McAfee for his winning attitude and trailblazing efforts in ushering in a new era for sports commentary.
Despite the heated exchange, it seems that McAfee and Smith have put their differences behind them and are focused on continuing their successful partnership on ESPN. Fans can expect to see McAfee back on First Take in the future, as both parties look forward to collaborating for years to come.
