Stephen A. Smith may have been responsible for Max Kellerman’s removal from “First Take” nearly two years ago, but that does not mean Smith was pleased to see his former on-air rival included in ESPN’s latest round of layoffs.
Kellerman was one of the roughly 20 on-air personalities who were let go by ESPN last week. Smith spoke about the cuts during the latest episode of his “The Stephen A. Smith Show.” He praised Jeff Van Gundy, Jalen Rose, Keyshawn Johnson and others in a clip that he shared on Twitter. Smith did not mention Kellerman in that particular video, but Kellerman was not omitted.
“I’m even gonna miss Max Kellerman,” Smith said later in the show, as transcribed by Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post. “I know y’all thought I wouldn’t. I am not happy that he is gone. We all know what history we had. We all know what happened with he and I parting ways on ‘First Take.’ I don’t want the brother unemployed. I want him gainfully employed. I want him having a job and a career.
“And that brother knows his boxing inside and out, is smart as a whip, and has been around a long time. I wish him no ill will. And, matter of fact, although I sincerely doubt he ever will, if he ever called me needing my help, I would not hesitate to help him.”
It is no secret that Smith wanted Kellerman off of “First Take,” and ESPN gave the larger-than-life analyst his wish. Smith insisted it was nothing personal and more about him and Kellerman not working as a pair. But if Smith wanted Kellerman to remain his co-host, Kellerman would not have been reassigned — at least not at that point.
Smith also indicated on his show that he believes more layoffs are coming, and he does not view himself as untouchable. He may have good reason to think that way.
