first take Archives - Rolling Out

Former NBA champion Bill Laimbeer uttered what many basketball fans consider to be blasphemy when he called LeBron James the “best basketball player who ever lived” over Michael Jordan. “I’m very vocal about this,” said the former “Bad Boy” who anchored the Detroit Pistons dynasty with the legendary Isiah Thomas in the 1980s. Speaking on…

Mike Tomlin, the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, spoke about whether former malcontent wide receiver Antonio Brown would be welcomed back on the team. Brown, the outcast wide receiver who has compiled one of the greatest careers in NFL history, has been on a national apology tour where he has articulated contrition for his past…

Stephen A. Smith doing a live ESPN segment at Wells Fargo Center (Photo by Derrel Jazz Johnson for Steed Media Service)

Things turned ugly on ESPN’s mega-successful sports show “First Take” when NFL Hall of Famer Terrell “T.O.” Owens told Stephen A. Smith on air that his White co-host “almost seems Blacker than you.” The source of the Smith-Owens eruption was the fiasco surrounding Colin Kaepernick, the exiled former NFL quarterback whose tryout with the league…

Stephen A. Smith doing a live ESPN segment at Wells Fargo Center (Photo by Derrel Jazz Johnson for Steed Media Service)

Is it possible that Stephen A. Smith could be reunited with Skip Bayless on ESPN’s mega-successful sports show “First Take?” Some media outlets speculate that this is not a far-fetched concept. And, in fact, NJ.com reports that the two stars, Smith and Bayless, are amenable to making it happen. Smith and Bayless transformed “First Take”…

Two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant admitted that the explosive team huddle showdown with Draymond Green helped him to decide to leave the Golden State Warriors. Durant created just as many waves after leaving for free agency for the Brooklyn Nets, as he did when he bolted and left Oklahoma to join the Warriors three years…

The bombastic, self-promoting patriarch LaVar Ball, the father of NBA star Lonzo Ball, fell into some hot water on ESPN Monday after viewers accused him of making inappropriate sexual remarks towards “First Take” host Molly Qerim. During the hit ESPN show, starring Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman with Ball as the guest, Smith handed…

In an exclusive interview with “First Take,” this morning, May 20, Earvin “Magic” Johnson shared the source of his frustration and what made him step down as the President of Basketball Operations for the Los Angeles Lakers last month. “My frustration was, you gotta let me hire my own people,” he told the “First Take”…

“First Take,” the ESPN show that airs weekday mornings and is hosted by Stephen A. Smith, Max Kellerman, and Molly Qerim Rose, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the Outstanding Talk Series category. Rolling out spoke exclusively to Smith about what the nomination means to him, and women in the industry who inspire…

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who attended the HBCU Winston-Salem State University, knows the difficulties that many Black college students face after graduation, because he experienced them. During an exclusive interview with rolling out, the former college baller shared advice for HBCU graduates, as well as young journalists that want to be the next Stephen A. Smith. “I’d…

Stephen A. Smith doing a live ESPN segment at Wells Fargo Center (Photo by Derrel Jazz Johnson for Steed Media Service)

Stephen A. Smith is one of the hardest working men in the sports journalism business, hosting ESPN’s “First Take” weekday mornings from 10am – noon EST and “The Stephen A. Smith Show” on ESPN radio weekdays from 1pm-3pm EST, both of which will be in Atlanta Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Super Bowl week. Rolling…

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith has made a second career out of blaming the victim. Or perhaps, he’s too preoccupied with maintaining his “close, personal” friendship with so many notables in sports that he’s become incapable of calling out their nonsense.

It was reported two weeks ago that a middle school teacher from a Boynton Beach, FL charter school was suspended after distributing uncensored Lil Wayne lyrics to his students. The sharing of the lyrics, from the Wayne song “Six Foot Seven Foot,” was explained by the school’s headmaster as the teacher trying to be creative in reaching his students. Of course, parents were shocked and outraged by the exercise. During his recent appearance on ESPN’s First Take, Lil Wayne was asked about the incident and shared his perspective on the teacher’s judgment.

Stephen A. Smith revealed his thoughts on NFL player Riley Cooper’s use of the N-word on ESPN’s “First Take.” “We all make mistakes. It forces me to look at my community and be intellectually honest about this. In sports, when we go into the locker room and we hear the music blaring … we hear…

Comedian Kevin Hart joins the Debate Desk on “First Take” and shares his true feelings on Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless’ commentary. Aside from Hart sharing who he thinks is the funniest man, he also grades Jay Pharoah‘s impression of Smith. Laugh along.

Rapper 2 Chainz appeared on ESPN’s “First Take” today to discuss the NBA playoffs and he held his own while debating Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless. Still, ESPN seems to be struggling for relevancy these days. The sports station that once proved that hip-hop and sports co-existed is now reaching to regain its cool…

ESPN loudmouth Skip Bayless may have reached an all-time low on Tuesday, April 10 during an episode of “First Take.” During a debate about the NBA MVP race, Bayless was called out by Jalen Rose for lying about his high school basketball exploits. On March 31, Bayless tweeted that the Oklahoma City Thunder would be doomed if Russell…