Stephen A. Smith blasted for giving 'worst NFL take ever' that even left his ESPN colleague embarrassed
'First Take' host and executive producer Stephen A. Smith is known for his bold opinions. One he shared on Monday morning may take the cake for his most outlandish.
Among the plethora of NFL news from the weekend was the announcement that the Pittsburgh Steelers hired former Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy to take over as their new head coach for 2026.
McCarthy replaces Mike Tomlin - who, prior to his firing, was the longest actively tenured head coach with one team in the league.
On Monday's episode of the show, Smith believes that Pittsburgh made too hasty a decision in hiring McCarthy. Instead, Smith thinks they should have talked to at least one more person.
'I'm very upset, going back to the Pittsburgh Steelers, because I want to state for the record - and I'm not joking about this, I'm dead serious - I believe that Ryan Clark should have been interviewed for the job,' Smith said on the show.
Clark, a former Steelers safety, works for ESPN as an NFL analyst and was on 'First Take' while Smith said this - looking shocked and slightly embarrassed to be called out in such a way.
ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith delivered the shocking take that his 'First Take' co-star Ryan Clark should have been interviewed for the Pittsburgh Steelers' head coaching job
The Steelers announced that former Cowboys boss Mike McCarthy would take over the role
Clark looked shocked and confused by Smith's take when he said it live on air in front of him
As Clark said 'I wish I would've' interviewed for the position, Smith continued his ramble.
'I believe that Ryan Clark, who I'm looking at right now, should've been interviewed for the job. Philip Rivers got interviewed by the Buffalo Bills, I'm just saying. You're the Pittsburgh Steelers, what's up?
'I know they love RC, I know they know he's a Steeler for life. I know they pick up the phone and call him and defer to him and ask his advice... how come you can't interview the brother? You gon' sit up there and bring Mike McCarthy back at 62-years-old.'
Clark laughed and said that they love him 'from a distance' before show host Shae Cornette moved on to a new topic.
Fans roasted Smith for the take - with some believing this was the moment the show 'jumped the shark' and calling it 'the worst take ever'.
'This show has gone off the god damn rails man. Have some shame,' wrote one user on X.
Another said, 'I wouldnt even interview Ryan Clark to shovel my driveway.'
'We have to petition for gyms, airports and bars to not show first take. This is absolutely garbage,' another comment read.
Clark made his name in media after his NFL days and has no significant coaching experience
An ESPN pundit, Jeff Saturday, once served as interim coach of the Colts, but went 1-7
'It diminishes the sentiment when he has to point out that he's not joking,' a different user posted.
It's worth noting that while Rivers is a former player and was interviewed, he does have five years experience coaching high school football. Clark, meanwhile, does not have any coaching experience to speak of.
Additionally, there's precedent for former 'First Take' cast members coaching in the NFL and not performing well.
Ex-Colts center Jeff Saturday, who had three years' prior coaching experience at the high school level, took the interim job in Indianapolis in 2022 and went an abysmal 1-7.
